The Parent. Boss. Leader. Newsletter (November 2023)

Welcome back to the Parent. Boss. Leader. newsletter, a source of insight for professionals, working parents, and military personnel. Hopefully everyone is back in the work saddle after a restful Thanksgiving break. Without further ado, let’s dive into some work-life balance tips, staffing trends, and lessons for dealing with the daily issues every boss must face—at home, at work, and beyond.

Staffing Checkpoint

The ASA Staffing Index for October showed a slight decline in staffing employment, with a 0.1% drop to a value of 100 in the week of October 9-15. This is 7.2% lower than the same week last year. Despite a marginal increase of 0.9% in new starts during the 41st week of the year, the overall four-week moving average remained steady at 101. Tim Hulley from ASA notes that staffing employment eased in October but was still above the lows experienced in the second quarter of the year.

In contrast, November has shown a minor improvement in staffing employment, increasing by 0.8% to 100 in the week of November 13-19—a positive development, but still 7.3% lower than the same week last year. New starts saw a significant rise of 11.8% during the 46th week of the year. However, the four-week moving average continued to hold at 100, and the temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending November 19 was 7.6% lower than in 2022. Overall, staffing employment in November remained stable, with no notable changes from the previous month.

Insights: Powered by ATR

Don’t miss the latest workplace wisdom direct from the ATR Blog.

7 Key Benefits of Hiring Veterans & Military Spouses

Our very own Kristin Buhl wrote a great piece about the untapped potential of hiring veterans and military spouses. Despite enduring stigmas and high unemployment rates, these individuals offer a wealth of skills and perspectives that can significantly benefit organizations. Learn about the resilience, adaptability, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills veterans bring, along with financial incentives for hiring them. Also, explore the adaptability, high education levels, and exceptional time management skills of military spouses. This insightful piece not only highlights the challenges these groups face but also presents a compelling business case for why they should be at the forefront of your recruitment strategy.

Visit the ATR Blog to read the full story!

Laura's TechServe Takeaways

I had the pleasure of returning to TechServe Alliance this year, and as always, the thought-provoking discussions did not disappoint. Held in Amelia Island, Florida, I took a deep dive into fascinating tech industry topics along with my colleagues, Andrea Brenholz and Megan Bourgeois. One of my favorite sessions featured Alan Beaulieu, CEO of ITR, who offered insights into U.S. and world economics, highlighting that political affiliations do not necessarily drive economic growth. I really hope this perspective helps to bridge some of the existing tensions in the industry!

As you can imagine, a major focus of the event was the impact of AI on the workforce, a topic that has a lot of folks nervous about the future. One afternoon panel discussion stood out for me, as it covered the current economic climate, including budget pullbacks, talent shortages, and the influence of AI. The panelists were witty and knowledgeable, providing valuable insights for an intriguing session.

Amy J. Schulz from Hallmark Cards emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership, urging teams to break out of silos for more effective decision-making. Meanwhile, Bruce Morton of Allegis Global Solutions highlighted the need for leaders to carefully assess which AI tools could most benefit their teams. The key takeaway for me was the undeniable presence and influence of AI in the current landscape and the crucial role of humans in effectively leveraging and operating these tools. This event provided her with a wealth of knowledge and insights to bring back to her team, further shaping their strategies in the tech industry.

This Month on Parent. Boss. Leader.

It’s been a busy month for PBL! Listen and watch Laura interview amazing people who find a way to walk the line of leadership at work and at home.

Insights from Monica Pleasant on Navigating the Intersection of HR and Psychology

Monica Pleasant, HR Director at Medtronic, discusses her transition from business studies to a career in HR, balancing a successful career with parenthood, and the core principles of career advancement, which includes the PIE theory (Performance, Image, and Exposure). She also shares her experiences in mentoring military professionals transitioning to civilian life, her commitment to creating inclusive tips for achieving work-life balance, and much more.

Watch the full interview below!

Military Spouses in the Spotlight featuring Kristen Buhl, ATR International

In honor of Military Family Month, Laura sat down with Kristen Buhl, a military spouse and a key member of the ATR International team. Kristen shares her journey, including navigating three out-of-state moves and three deployments, highlighting the adaptability and resilience she developed. She discusses the challenges military spouses face in maintaining consistent employment and how entrepreneurship can be a solution. Kristen also emphasizes the unique skills and perspectives military spouses offer, advocating for employers to recognize and tap into the talent within this community.

Watch the full interview below!

Leadership Harmony: Orchestrating Success with Amish Patel, Ph.D.

Don’t miss this enlightening conversation on leadership with Amish Patel, Ph.D., an executive at Calidi Biotherapeutics. Amish discusses the principles that shape his leadership style, including managing diversity, collaboration, respect, and empathy. He shares his unique approach to hiring, focusing on complementing his managerial weaknesses and fostering a team with diverse perspectives. He views his role as not unlike a conductor, orchestrating a symphony of talents within his team. The episode also highlights Amish's commitment to inclusivity, particularly in male-dominated fields, and his efforts to create an environment where everyone feels valued.

Watch the full interview below!

Employee Spotlight

Emily Morgan, Recruiting Operations Manager

Emily is a vital part of my account management team.?With more than five years of experience at ATR, she has been promoted from the recruiting team to the client relationship team, building outstanding partnerships with several of ATR’s high-profile clients. Emily is known for her accountability, unwavering commitment to serving our clients, and willingness to act as a liaison to our internal recruiting team. She never fails to engage the account management team with a daily “check-in” meme and always finds a way to add joy to our extended ATR community.

Thanks for reading The Parent. Boss. Leader. Newsletter! Join us next month for more insights, trends, and tips. Until then, to all the parents, bosses, and leaders out there: keep showing up, and keep shining. We'll see you next time!