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Articles by Kelly Gust
The workplace has a maybe problem
I recently had the opportunity to learn about the Entrepreneurial Operating System and incorporate several EOS concepts into a leadership development program. If you’re unfamiliar, EOS is a business operating framework designed to help organizations gain clarity, accountability and traction by identifying issues, making decisions and focusing on what matters most. One EOS concept immediately resonated: IDS, which stands for identify, discuss and solve. On the surface, it seems remarkably simple.
Nonprofit work can teach what your job can’t
When professionals think about career development, the instinct is to look inward: new certifications, stretch assignments, promotions or leadership programs. Growth is something we expect to find within the walls of our organizations. But some of the most valuable professional development opportunities are somewhere else entirely: outside your company, outside your industry and often outside your comfort zone. That’s where nonprofit involvement comes in.
Jobs, Fall 2026 - Illinois Times, the capital city's source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
When professionals think about career development, the instinct is to look inward: new certifications, stretch assignments, promotions or leadership programs. Growth is something we expect to find within the walls of our organizations. But some of the most valuable professional development opportunities are somewhere else entirely: outside your company, outside your industry and often outside…
Is the problem time management – or yes management?
I’ve never met a leader who told me they needed another hour in the day. What I hear instead is that we’re overwhelmed, overcommitted and struggling to keep up with competing priorities. Our calendars are packed, our inboxes are full, and the list of things we intended to accomplish somehow remains untouched. Most of us assume we need to get better at time management. I’m not convinced. I think we have a yes-management problem.
October SBJ 2026
Quality of life is part of good care For more than 20 years, I’ve brought music and movement into senior-living communities, serving people of all ages and abilities. This has taught me that almost everyone can participate. We simply have to give people the opportunity to do it in their own way. I have watched people dance from their chairs when standing was…
Usher employees safely through times of change and uncertainty
Change is a leadership job: Help people get to the other side Years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of the change management effort for a large enterprise resource planning implementation. I wasn’t responsible for making software decisions or solving technical challenges — thankfully. Instead, my responsibilities were on the people side: user training, site readiness and communications. Other people were responsible for making sure the system worked.
The risk (and assurance) of avoiding risk
Picture two leaders sitting in the same meeting: The first hears a bold new idea and immediately thinks, “This is exciting. It could transform our business.” The second hears that same idea and thinks, “That is a crazy idea, and it will never work.” Too often, we celebrate the first leader as innovative and quietly dismiss the second as resistant to change. But organizations need both.
Nonprofit work can teach what your job can’t
When professionals think about career development, the instinct is to look inward: new certifications, stretch assignments, promotions or leadership programs. Growth is something we expect to find within the walls of our organizations. But some of the most valuable professional development opportunities are somewhere else entirely: outside your company, outside your industry and often outside your comfort zone. That’s where nonprofit involvement comes in.
Feedback is a gift
Feedback done right: Giving it and getting it Organizations love to talk about feedback. We build cultures around it, train managers to deliver it and encourage employees to be open to receiving it. In theory, feedback is the engine of growth. But in reality, it’s far more complicated. Because while we say we want feedback, we don’t always use it well. And while we’re encouraged to give feedback, we don’t always deliver it in ways people can actually hear. The result?
Conflict resolution handled well leads to positive outcomes
When employees don’t click: Curing workplace conflict Conflict at work is inevitable, and apparently very frequent, as I’ve been asked to advise on three different situations in the past month. It’s surprising how bad chemistry can happen even among experienced professionals. Differences in personality, communication style, values or work pace can collide — sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly.
What I wish more women knew
A few years ago, I did what many women consider at some point in their careers. I stepped out on my own and built a consulting business. I craved a sense of control, autonomy and the chance to work with leaders who truly wanted to “buy what I was selling.” For six years, I ran that human resources consulting business successfully. It was profitable. It grew (sometimes in stops and starts, but it grew consistently). It gave me flexibility and new opportunities.
Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
Showcasing women’s stories Physician and public health professional Dr. Kemia Sarraf (“Dr. K”) with no regret shares with the world her experience with impostor syndrome through a video noting Women’s History Month in March. Sarraf, CEO of the trauma-responsive coaching and consulting business Lodestar, shares her life’s mission and how at times she doesn’t feel “up to the task”…
The introvert’s revenge
A few weeks ago, I took a DISC assessment. This is something I’ve done many times over the years, but this time, the result surprised me. For the first time, my leading trait was extroversion. It wasn’t wrong, exactly. I can be outgoing. I speak publicly, lead workshops and enjoy connecting with people. But being labeled an extrovert triggered something unexpected: a wave of renewed appreciation for introverts.
When to step back from a leadership role - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
Taking a step back: Does less responsibility lead to more fulfillment? For many seasoned leaders facing burnout, the idea of stepping back into an individual-contributor role can be tempting. The memory of simpler days, when success was measured by personal output rather than team performance, and evenings were free from after-hours emails, can be alluring. But is stepping down really the solution? While few actually follow through on this impulse, a health care leader friend of mine did.
Capital City Jobs Spring 2026
When to step back from a leadership role Taking a step back: Does less responsibility lead to more fulfillment? For many seasoned leaders facing burnout, the idea of stepping back into an individual-contributor role can be tempting. The memory of simpler days, when success was measured by personal output rather than team performance, and evenings were free from after-hours emails, can be alluring.…
Beyond shortcuts
In a world where we joke “there’s an app for that” every time we face an inconvenient task, it’s easy to slip into a mindset where technology exists to help us do less thinking. Need a summary? AI can do it. Need ideas? AI can brainstorm. Need the answer to a question your brain should know? AI to the rescue. But what if – plot twist – AI could actually help us think more? And not in a dystopian, “Skynet becomes self‑aware” kind of way.
Hiring for empathy - Springfield Business Journal
Empathy often gets a bad rap as a soft skill in business. But if your goal is to provide excellent customer service, empathy isn’t just nice to have, it’s a differentiator. Whether a customer is calling about a billing issue, returning a product in your store, asking for help planning an event or navigating your firm’s complexities, their emotional state often shapes the entire interaction.
Best practices for performance reviews
Ah, the performance review… the human resources tool that everyone loves to hate. Managers and employees alike struggle to find value in reviews, but when done right, they guide career development and keep the organization moving forward. With turnover still high in many organizations, and with so many workers still in a remote or hybrid environment, I’d argue that goal setting, performance check-ins, feedback and performance reviews are more important than ever.
Kelly Gust, Author at Springfield Business Journal
Posted inProfessional Development Recruiting a chief executive officer or executive director is a high-impact decision. When a board of directors is involved, the process can be complex. Recently, HR Full Circle helped several corporate and nonprofit boards recruit their next leaders. Here’s how we navigated the searches with clarity, alignment and trust. 1.
One hiring manager or 15?
Recruiting a chief executive officer or executive director is a high-impact decision. When a board of directors is involved, the process can be complex. Recently, HR Full Circle helped several corporate and nonprofit boards recruit their next leaders. Here’s how we navigated the searches with clarity, alignment and trust. 1. Meet the whole board Before anything else, it’s important to establish trust. Ensure the entire board is familiar with the recruitment process and the recruiter.
‘Tell me about yourself’ - How to answer this important question
If you're heading to a job interview or attending a career fair, chances are you'll hear this classic opening line: "So, tell me about yourself." It may sound simple, but it's one of the most important questions you'll answer. In just 30–60 seconds, you have the chance to make a memorable first impression and connect your background to the role or industry. Here's how to craft a strong response, with examples you can adapt for your field of interest. 1.
Small shifts, big gains
How many times have you and your co-workers discussed a process in your organization and thought, "It would be better if we could change ... (insert clunky or inefficient process here)." These conversations tend to happen at after-work happy hours and often involve cocktail napkins. Sound familiar? It's easier to have great ideas when we can step away. We can't work on the work if we're always doing the work. A little space and distance helps us zoom out and see problems more clearly.
When to step back from a leadership role
Taking a step back: Does less responsibility lead to more fulfillment? For many seasoned leaders facing burnout, the idea of stepping back into an individual-contributor role can be tempting. The memory of simpler days, when success was measured by personal output rather than team performance, and evenings were free from after-hours emails, can be alluring. But is stepping down really the solution? While few actually follow through on this impulse, a health care leader friend of mine did.
They work hard for the money
I recently worked with a 30-person information-technology firm based here in central Illinois to benchmark its compensation and time off package. Working on this project and needing to strike the right notes from a compensation perspective had me humming songs about money, like the Donna Summer classic, "She Works Hard for the Money." Just for fun, I wove some of the other money-related song references through this article. Enjoy.
Pass the baton: Be a mentor worth following
My son signed up for track and field recently. Not to brag, but back in my day I anchored a state-qualifying, school-record-breaking 4x400-meter relay team. As my son lined up for his first attempt at the same race, I got to thinking about what it means to pass the baton. In today's fast-paced and increasingly artificially-intelligent world, wisdom is quickly becoming one of the most valuable – and, thankfully, renewable – resources we have.
Critical thinking jiujitsu
In my son's jiujitsu practice, coaches help competitors remain calm under pressure. In fact, emotional outbursts in a match result in disqualification. Once your emotions take over, you've lost the ability for rational problem-solving and decision-making. This is advice I'm leaning heavily into these days (takes deep breath). It seems like any conversation is just one or two sentences away from ending up in an argument.
The power of business networking
The phrase "networking event" sounds like a cringey waste of time, doesn't it? Even as a verified extravert, the thought of talking to strangers and making meaningless conversation gives me a visceral reaction – pounding heart and sweaty palms as I imagine all of the awkward silences. At first, networking can seem intimidating, or at a minimum just one more social obligation to squeeze into your already busy life.
Speak up or shut down?
With a background in business psychology, I have to admit that one of my guilty pleasures when out and about in the community is to observe and study organizational culture. Are the employees chatting and helping each other? Do they seem happy? Are the manager's actions supportive and upbeat, or terse and punitive? Between client meetings I often can be found working at area coffee shops, restaurants and even the occasional wine bar.
Motivation: spread something positive
Flu season is upon us, but do you know what's just as contagious as the flu? Motivation. A recent Johns Hopkins University study found that when we see other people challenging themselves and achieving "exceptional success," we're more likely to do the same. This is tied to motivation – when you see others do something, it gives you that extra push to achieve. It raises the bar.
Work hard, play hard
I fancy myself a pretty funny person. In my house we don't tell dad jokes; the punny zingers are usually delivered by mom and are met with exaggerated eye rolls (and for an especially good one, exasperated sighs) by my 12 and 14-year-old sons. I often use humor to lighten a tense mood, ensure others are having fun and make a difficult situation more enjoyable.
Give new hires a better first-day experience
Ever been on a bad first date? One where the person you were meeting didn't look like their dating app picture, the conversation was awkward and you didn't have anything in common? After two hours of fumbling your way through an uncomfortable dinner, would you want to go back to the dating app and repeat the process? Probably not. Unfortunately, many companies are botching new-hire onboarding with awkward and disorganized first-day experiences, then wondering why new hires don't stick around.
Ensure the future of your small business
Imagine building your small business over a period of 20 or 30 years of hard work, then, a few years ahead of your planned retirement, a health scare takes you away from work for several months. During your time away, your team doesn't know how to handle all aspects of the business, customer service suffers and vendors aren't getting paid. We all think that it will never happen to us, but the reality is that none of us will live forever. But how does a small business owner retire?
Beat the bots
"Tik-toker applies for over 550 jobs and doesn't hear back from any of them." "Florida man tests the 'no one wants to work' theory by applying to 60 entry-level jobs and only gets one interview." "I hit send on my online application, then received an automatic rejection email less than a minute later." We hear stories like this from frustrated job-seekers all of the time.
Widening the pathways to work: Reaching untapped pools of talent
Did you know that 25% of the working-age population in the U.S. has some sort of disability? Or that 28% of adults in the U.S. have been impacted by the justice system with an arrest or criminal record? Did you know that almost 10% of Americans are connected to the military as active duty, veterans or as caregivers and family members? These statistics are from the Society for Human Resource Management, a leading professional association for human resource experts and business leaders.
Conquer the crowd: Mastering the art of public speaking
Just the mention of the words –public speaking – can send shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned professionals. Whether it's a presentation in front of colleagues, a pitch to potential clients or a keynote address at a conference, the ability to communicate effectively in front of an audience is a skill that can elevate your career to new heights.
The power of business networking
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Supporting women at work
I think a lot about how women make workplaces better, as well as the opportunities and challenges women face. When consulting with individuals and organizations about management challenges, I try to balance organizational, systemic solutions with empowering individuals to take ownership of their situations.
How to get unstuck
One of the best compliments I get from clients is when they say, "We've made more progress in the past six months working with you on [insert complicated problem here], than we have in the past six years." Facing a tough or ambiguous problem at work or in your personal life is like staring into a thick fog. It's hard to see what lies ahead, so many people just stay put, watching the months... and then the years, tick by.
Sound mind, sound body, sound success
When asked what we want to be when we grow up, no one says "fit and healthy." Instead, we think of our education, training and various ways we might wish to spend 40-50 hours per week. When we enter the workforce, our jobs often take priority over our fitness. Many of us have made the choice (or been forced) to stay late at work and sacrifice our personal time. As we age, we devote time to family and home, reducing our personal time even more.
The first rule of employee engagement: We don’t talk about employee engagement
In today's hot job market, getting great talent in the door can be a challenge. According to a recent article on LinkedIn, 53% of employees are thinking of leaving their current position in 2024, and 77% of employers are worried about attracting and retaining top talent. For some organizations, creating a great culture where employees want to work (and remain working) happens naturally. For others, especially as the business grows, it requires intention and focus.
New Year’s resolutions for a stronger business
The start of a new year can be filled with a sense of optimism about what's to come, but for some entrepreneurs it can also be a time of high anxiety, not knowing what might happen in the months ahead. This year will surely bring a few surprises, but you don't have to wait and be reactive. Building a strong business means being proactive and building resiliency, establishing the systems and processes that allow for problem-solving, adaptation and ongoing change.
What to be when (and if) you grow up
When I was approaching high school graduation (in the late 1900s as my teenaged son likes to say), I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. This existential question was daunting. I envisioned myself in a city, wearing suits and making money. Noble goals, right? I meandered through college having fun, playing in the marching band and earning a liberal arts degree in psychology. I joked that these qualifications would make me a good bartender. Ironically, my parents owned a bar in Wisconsin.
Make yourself indispensable
With economic uncertainty on the rise, unfortunately some employers are starting to play defense; reducing headcount in their organizations through layoffs and downsizing. Snap, Bed Bath and Beyond, Predictive Index, Groupon, Wayfair and others all made headlines last fall for reducing headcounts by as many as 39,000 jobs, according to Crunchbase.com. In 2008, I was laid off from a large, global hotel chain.
COLA? Pour me a double!
With minimum wage on the rise, inflation increasing and annual merit pay season here or closely around the corner, HR Full Circle recently ran a round-up of the 2022 compensation landscape. We thought we’d share a summary of our findings here. Sources are listed at the bottom of the article. Employers who claim to pay cost of living adjustments (COLA increases) should take note, and order up a double for the coming year.
The best of the worst: Picking the most outrageous fair food
PLEASANTON — What is the most awesome fair food of the year? Could it be the blistering world’s hottest ice cream? Or maybe the macaroni and cheese stuffed bacon burger? The Alameda County Fair will hold its first annual Snackdown competition at noon Tuesday to pick the most awfully wonderful fair food of the year.
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