Communication

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.

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.

Scuttlebutt may hold bits of truth

November 25, 2020
Here’s a common situation: An employee informs you of a co-worker’s faults or misdeeds. Although most of the tale sounds like gossip, some details sound as though they could be true. Certainly you don’t want to support gossip, but you have to get at the truth. Try this approach.

Verbally attacked? How to reply

November 25, 2020
When tempers flare in the workplace, your response tells employees a lot about the kind of behavior that’s acceptable. Keep your cool, and try some of these replies.

Turn spats into constructive dialogues

November 11, 2020
Office conflicts don’t have to be destructive. For example, imagine that two employees disagree over the best way to complete a task or solve a problem, can’t resolve their quarrel, and dump it in your lap. To help these two get back to work quickly, try this approach.

New policy? Explain all the angles

October 29, 2020
Drafting and crafting employee policies can take a lot of time and effort, neither of which you want to see wasted because employees don’t know or don’t care what you’ve created. To communicate your policies with impact, be sure to answer these questions.

Difficult talks? Prep for these reactions

October 29, 2020
Difficult conversations with employees about poor performance or inappropriate behavior can be even harder if they resist your feedback. Be alert for the most common forms of resistance.

Resolve disputes with 5 questions

October 23, 2020
Here are five questions that can help you create a working relationship focused on solving your mutual problem.

What employees need to know

October 7, 2020
What should your employees know about your organization, and their jobs and careers within it, in order to contribute to the group and reach their own goals? Start the learning with these seven topics.