It all starts at the top.

Managers make or break workplaces, says Alex Charfen, CEO of the Austin-based Charfen Institute. Talented leaders motivate, are approachable, offer opportunities for advancement and provide routine feedback. Not–so–skilled bosses often micromanage, rule by fear and spend most of the day locked in their offices, unavailable.

"Morale craters because people don't know what's going on, how to make things better, or what their role is," said Charfen, whose company provides business leadership coaching around the globe. "Human beings, by their nature, want to perform. They want to succeed. They want to be recognized."

Executives at many of the businesses highlighted in the American–Statesman's 2011 Top Workplaces of Greater…

1560 Views, 0 Comments

Companies on Top Workplaces list took different roads to the same destination: Happy workers

By Barry Harrell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

Some are huge corporations with billions of dollars in assets. Others are small startups. There are software makers and restaurants, insurance companies and cleaning services.

The 85 Central Texas employers highlighted in the American-Statesman's 2011 Top Workplaces of Greater Austin special section don't have a lot in common – except that their employees say they are great places to work.

The Top Workplaces of Greater Austin project involved surveys of 15,731 workers from 143 Austin–area employers.

The surveys were conducted by our partner in this project, WorkplaceDynamics LLP,…

2269 Views, 0 Comments