informal coalitions

Calling weaknesses "development needs" is not a sign of strength

Why is it that ...?

Many HR, L&D and OD professionals insist on referring to individuals' weaknesses as "development needs."  Perhaps this euphemism is meant to make people feel better and less threatened.  Perhaps it is an attempt to avoid giving people what is misguidedly seen as 'bad news'. 

"Compensation" offers no benefits for HR

Why is it that ...?

We often hear senior VPs, directors and managers in HR talking about their goal of making their organizations "great places to work" (or other similar phrases).  Why is it, then, that the HR profession persists in talking about "compensating" people for working there?  You compensate people for breaking a leg, not for turning up for work in the type of organization that the HR community claims to aspire to.