Gerald Walsh - An Atlantic Canada Leader in Executive Search, Career Transition, Executive Coaching and Human Resources

It's that time of year again. The time when everyone starts making a list and checking it twice. So I've decided to join in too and prepare my own list of wishes for the corporate workplace in the coming year. I'm not so certain that I'll get these gifts. But who knows? I can always ask for them again next year.

Here's what I'm hoping for:

That companies and employees realize that the best places to work are those organizations that offer challenging, important work, with career growth opportunities, not those that just have pool tables in the staff room and beer bashes on Friday afternoons.

That companies will ensure real live people answer the company phones, instead of machines that claim they "value" our service and then keep us on hold for what seems like hours.

That business people will stop using annoying buzzwords like "metrics", "on-boarding", "plateauing", "on the radar", "enable" and "foster" and begin using simple language that everybody understands.

That we see a return to civility in the workplace where co-workers say 'good morning' and actually like and respect each other.

That people will come to the realization that the most sincere conversations take place in person, not through email. (What I'm really hoping for is that no one gets fired by email in 2007.)

That genuine leaders emerge in political, business and community circles: men and women whom we admire for their vision, depth of character and integrity.

That early career professionals experience the rewards of volunteerism - for themselves and others - and that their employers support and encourage them in these endeavours.

That individuals remember the virtue of patience and turn off their cell phones and Blackberrys during meetings.

That companies, when making decisions, think about the 'customer experience' first, rather than making these decisions solely on what's easiest and most efficient for them.

That employees will show more empathy toward their bosses and employers will show more respect toward their staff.

That we will celebrate each other's accomplishments, not ridicule them jealously for their success.

That every college graduate, university graduate, and young person who wants to stay and live in Atlantic Canada can find meaningful work here.

That business leaders use their talent, connections and resources to help the community at large, not just make more money for themselves.

That companies recognize that business is more about people, rather than buildings and machines, and create workplaces that are healthy, fun, respectful and balanced.

Gerald Walsh, CMA, is the President and Founder of Gerald Walsh Associates Inc., an executive search, career transition and executive coaching firm.

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