June 2008 Vol 1, Issue 1            The    Performance            Catalyst           Why Read HRTips?    It's a fresh, to-the-point, and quick-read e-newsletter brought to you on an occasional basis by Ted and John at HRGroup to help you attract and retain the right people in the right jobs so your business can thrive.   HRGClient Quote: "I highly recommend HRGroup to any company looking to  improve the way they engage employees."     Chairman/CEO, Leadership Development Company HRTip                         Leadership Effectiveness    Do you know what core competencies are ranked as most important for effective leadership?     They are: 1.Empathy 2.Trustworthiness 3. Business aptitude 4. Depth 5. External attunement 6. Clarity 7. Responsibility 8. Internal attunement These findings are from a study by BlessingWhite asking 8,000 respondents from 47 organizations to rate more than 1,400 of their leaders on both business and personal characteristics. BlessingWhite CEO Christopher Rice said, "It's revealing that although leaders advance within the organization by mastering the core business skills...it's personal qualities such as empathy and trustworthiness that can make all the difference" in overall leadership effectiveness.   Are Your Leaders Effective? There's a 100% guaranteed way to find out -- ask their direct reports and peers using a 360 Leadership Survey. HRGroup just happens to have extensive experience customizing and facilitating 360s. HRGreenTip  Since we're all working and playing on this big blue orb together, Ted and John thought they'd include some ideas to help everyone "Green It Forward." "Commuter benefits" help protect the environment, reduce employee gasoline costs, and save on taxes - all at once.   As an employer, you can provide tax-free transit, vanpool and parking benefits to employees.  These "qualified transportation fringe benefits" [Internal Revenue Code, Section 132(f)] are also called "commuter-choice tax benefits" or simply "commuter benefits." Because the value of the benefits paid to employees is considered a tax-free transportation fringe benefit and not wage or salary compensation, the cost of the benefit is eligible as a business expense and payroll taxes do not apply. Employers can pay for employees' transit or vanpool, up to a limit of $110 per month, subject to annual change, as a tax-free transportation benefit. Employers get a tax deduction for the expense and enjoy savings on payroll-related taxes.  Ask the HRPros       What is your most difficult Human Resources issue?   Let us hear from you...                                    Want more information? Call Ted or John at (480) 753-6188, shoot us an email at info@hrgrouponline.com, or visit www.hrgrouponline.com.   Don't hesitate to "Pay It Foward" by sending this e-newsletter to someone who could benefit.