Tips for Managers

When workers fight with customers

July 1, 2004
No, the customer is not always right. But that’s no excuse for conflict between workers and customers. Usually, the customer and employee are both right and both wrong, and managers need to use care when counseling employees after conflicts erupt.

A primer for more effective meetings

July 1, 2004
Many managers and supervisors spend up to half their time attending and preparing for meetings. If you lead some of those meetings, make them as effective as possible.

Are your team members too angry?

June 1, 2004
Are your team members feeling hot under the collar? Experts tell us there are more than 1.5 million incidents of anger-related workplace violence in the U.S. each year — and the number’s growing.

Turn your team’s negativity around

April 1, 2004
Are negative attitudes among your team members getting you down — and dragging down results? Some sage advice from the experts:

Help workers ask for what they need

January 1, 2004
Every manager’s dealt with demanding and unreasonable employees. But every manager’s also dealt with workers whose demands are reasonable — but who are afraid to ask the boss (that’s you) for what they need. Here are some ways you can help:

Give anecdotes, not advice

November 1, 2001
As a manager, you can tell employees what they should and should not do. But telling people what to do often triggers resistance.

Get a nitpicker back on track

April 1, 2001
If you manage compulsive nitpickers, then you’ve probably squandered hours haggling with them over minutiae. Try these strategies.

How to respond to mistakes

October 1, 2000
If you refuse to set and enforce high standards, you’re not doing your people any favors and you’ll be stuck with second-rate work. Respond to blunders in a firm but supportive manner.

Cut Noise Pollution at Work

July 1, 1997
Stroll through your workplace and listen. What do you hear?