Tips for Managers

Choose the positive answer

December 23, 2020
What separates positive and negative? Not much in word choice, but a lot in results.

Don’t let excuses slow you down

December 23, 2020
Excuses don’t get results. Though employees may occasionally have legitimate reasons for not successfully completing their assignments, be on the lookout for these common types of evasions.

Learn from bad managers

December 23, 2020
When you’re seeking role models, you naturally look to the good managers you’ve known. However, don’t simply block out the bad managers, even if you might very well like to.

Patch the cracks in discussions

December 23, 2020
Group discussions (larger than, say, three or four people) can be exciting and productive but also frustrating. Just as there are more ideas available, there are also more side tracks to wander onto. And though much can be accomplished with a clear agenda and preparation, there are still two major traps to recognize and respond to.

Ease employees’ fear of change

December 23, 2020
When your workplace undergoes a major change, employees will be nervous—and even resistant. You can overcome their reluctance to change by addressing their fears. In particular, concentrate on these areas.

Tailor your talks to each person

December 23, 2020
Employees need to be treated as individuals, which is easier said than done when you’re managing several people in a busy workplace. One way to handle this diversity is to use these guidelines to create an equal but unique approach to each person.

Workers mum on problems? What to do

December 23, 2020
To avoid being caught flat-footed when a project hits a snag, you need to understand why employees may not report potential problems.

Leadership Tips, Vol. 0121

December 9, 2020
Soften the blow of criticism … Don’t react impulsively to an employee’s careless error … Don’t know how to pronounce a name? Ask … Never let your phone voicemail tell the caller that it is “full”

Keep feedback separate from criticism

November 25, 2020
Good managers communicate, and feedback is an important element of the process. Just don’t confuse feedback with criticism.

3 techniques for better coaching

November 25, 2020
Coaching is a cooperative process. You and the employee work together, but you take the lead in helping the employee learn how to improve and grow. Here are three strategies to remember.