Leadership & Career

Do you cover these topics with staff?

February 26, 2020
The conversations you have with your employees are essential to good leadership. Build a strong relationship based on communication by addressing these topics on a regular basis.

3 ways to deal with hurtful humor

February 26, 2020
Humor is a vital part of camaraderie in the workplace. But sometimes jokes are at someone else’s expense. If you’re wondering what to do when a joke-teller risks hurting someone to get a laugh, try one of the responses suggested by humor expert David M. Jacobson of Humor Horizons.

Support staff when customers are rude

February 26, 2020
Suppose one of your employees has been unjustly criticized by a customer. Use the situation as a learning experience for the employee, helping him or her review what happened and understand how to prevent it from happening again.

Communication is vital when delegating

February 26, 2020
Management is about getting results through people’s efforts. That means effective communication is essential. Here’s what to do.

Manager and coach: Synonyms?

February 14, 2020
Q. What is the distinction between a manager and a coach? Are these terms interchangeable?

5 ways to build trust

February 14, 2020
Here are five surefire ways to get your employees to trust you.

Rein in a sarcastic worker

February 14, 2020
Suppose a productive, even-tempered employee makes sarcastic jokes and comments about work in general, his or her job, your organization—everything. Unlike complainers who are also poor workers, this employee’s comments are at odds with his or her competent performance. However, don’t use current results as excuses to ignore the situation.

How do you make decisions? It matters

February 14, 2020
There’s more to making decisions than simply choosing an option—it also pays to take into account the effects of the way you make decisions.

Common excuses for avoiding conflict

January 23, 2020
Whether a conflict involves you directly or is a dispute between employees, customers, or co-workers, being involved is awkward and stressful. As business consultant Francie Dalton of Dalton Alliances points out, we’re quick to find arguments to let us avoid confrontations. Watch out for these four common attitude traps.

Equal footing: How female managers can break through gender stereotypes

January 10, 2020
When women leaders take charge by being strong, decisive, and assertive, they are viewed as competent—but disliked. The result: Women leaders are seen as competent or likeable, but rarely both.