Care to Vote

Since today is National Voter Registration Day, we wanted to spend a moment emphasizing that voting is a privilege and a responsibility.  As Americans, we look with outrage at many nations around the world where democracy does not exist and the right to vote is absent or a tightly controlled farce.  But how are we doing here in the United States?

We have begun asking many people with whom we interact whether they will vote.  This includes business executives to fast food employees to retired folks.  We are not asking how people are voting (our mothers taught us well), but rather, “Are you voting?”  It is our hope that the people we know – an intelligent, insightful, caring group – are headed to the polls in November. But the responses we are getting range from positive, affirmative responses to downright apathy. Alarmingly, we have found that young people, and many others, seem weary of the political process and have resigned themselves to a “why should I vote – nothing’s going to change” attitude. While we understand this cynicism, and we also feel challenged at times by political wrangling, we want to encourage as many eligible voters to participate in a process that allows us to choose our leaders.

Voting numbers took an upswing in 2008 (approximately 60% of eligible voters participated in that year’s presidential election) but Gallup polls conducted this summer show a drop-off in the numbers of young voters intending to vote this November:

This causes us to reflect on our country’s enviable and noble history, and to reflect on the challenges of the world at large – a world full of countries that don’t allow their citizens a voice. It reminds us of the responsibility we have to be a part of the solution. No one lives in a bubble completely isolated from social and economic issues.  Take a stand, vote, make a difference.

So … Care to vote? … that is the question.  Now what is your answer?

It is our hope that you will exercise your constitutional right to choose the leadership of our country, and encourage others to do so as well.  That’s right, we really can influence the key decisions made by our elected leaders. As for us, we are excited about the upcoming elections and we will be voting.  See you at the polls!

Hit the Nail on the Head

Have you ever seen someone try to drive a nail using something other than a hammer?  Let’s see…the list goes something like this:  rocks, shoe heels, wrenches, sports equipment, books, sticks, etc.

What kind of results occur when you use the wrong or an ineffective tool, as opposed to a hammer?  Well, sometimes you are fortunate enough to get the nail positioned just as you would like.  More often, there is a degree of variance that makes the outcome less than satisfying.  We have all had degrees of success with some of the items listed above, but when we want the job done right, we invariably choose to use the right tool, the one that will produce the best and most consistent outcomes.  You choose the hammer and the tremendous and reliable results it produces.

That’s the way our business works.  Leapfrog Executive Search focuses exclusively on retained search for HR leadership roles.  While we could readily apply our experience to extend to other functional areas, we choose to remain focused on the head of the nail.  Whether it be the Chief HR Officer (CHRO) or other key HR leadership roles, we are the right tool to help your organization achieve the desired outcomes.

We work with organizations of all sizes.  Sometimes a smaller, growing company needs a high impact, executive level CHRO.  Sometimes, it is a large organization seeking the same type of impact on a much greater scale.  And sometimes, it is one of many key HR leadership roles across the different HR disciplines.

When it is time to nail down HR leadership talent, call us…we will help you hit the nail on the head!