Some managers mistake politeness with effective supervision. They treat their employees the same way that retail workers treat walk-in customers.

When you walk into a store, you may hear “How are you?” greetings from every clerk who walks by. Or they might say, “Let me know if I can be of any help.”

That’s fine. But a better service strategy is to ask more targeted questions such as, “Are you finding what you need?” or “Hi, would you like to know our specials today?”

Similarly, managers might think they’re being friendly by going up to employees and saying, “How’s it going?” The smile painted across their face and the weirdly overwrought eye contact somehow seems inauthentic—like a technique taught in a $69 half-day management training seminar.

To converse effectively with your staff, ask smart questions that engage people and encourage them to reveal more of themselves, their attitude and their work habits. Examples include, “Are you getting through your to-do list today?” or “How would you rate how full your plate is today?”

Politeness is nice. But it’s creepy sometimes if it rings of falsity.

Stick with more substantive (but still friendly) inquiries if you really want to build rapport with your team.

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Tags: managing employees