What to Say When…

… you must decline a pay raise request

August 1, 2015
To decline a raise request without destroying an employee’s morale, follow this advice.

… you are bad at making small talk

July 1, 2015
You know you should take every opportunity to build your network by making new connections with total strangers. But what if you hate the awkwardness that comes with making small talk when meeting a person for the very first time?

… employees submit their two-week notice

June 1, 2015
If you’ve been a good boss, most employees won’t just quit and never come back. They’ll want to wrap things up and leave on a positive note. It can sting when someone quits, but follow this advice when you receive a two-week notice, to ensure a smooth transition.

… you write performance reviews

May 12, 2015
Well-written performance goals energize team members and lead them in the right direction. Adapt these comments to the members of your staff.

… you write performance goals

May 12, 2015

Well-written performance goals energize team members and lead them in the right direction. Adapt these comments to the members of your staff.

… you receive criticism

March 25, 2015

Learning to receive criticism properly—and putting it to work for you—can increase your productivity, enhance your reputation and widen your scope of influence on the job and at home. But first, you have to welcome the chance to hear feedback, rather than dread it.

… customers turn nasty

February 27, 2015
When you can’t meet customers’ needs, their frustration and anxiety may cause them to lose control. Their emotional state can limit their problem-solving skills and ability to follow instructions. Deal with difficult situations delicately by remaining calm.

… an employee is chronically tardy

January 28, 2015
Take these 4 steps to get an employee to obey the clock.