Management Skills

The art of procedural writing

February 2, 2022
Whether it’s being tasked with updating the employee manual, or you’re trying to prepare your colleagues to handle your desk during a planned absence, or you’re leaving a list for your pet sitter, at some point most of us have to prepare written instructions. Authors Jane Curry and Diana Young share specific tips.

Power rankings—for managerial skills

December 20, 2021
Here are the top 10 qualities they all must have.

Find the right project leader

May 12, 2021
With enough time, you can usually train a person to be a great project leader. But you’ll do it better—and more quickly—if you start with someone who has a few innate leadership traits.

Finish projects with a thorough debriefing

November 13, 2020
Many projects end without a detailed debriefing that summarizes accomplishments and studies errors, allowing vital information to slip away. To capture these insights, take these steps.

Elect civility: Keep your workplace politically neutral

December 13, 2019
Don’t let your workplace turn nasty in the upcoming rough-and-tumble election year.

Self-help tips for the newbies

December 13, 2019
With an already hectic schedule, it can be difficult to keep up with a new employee. As a result, new hires can flounder, getting behind or making errors. One way to prevent this problem is to help new employees monitor themselves.

Tactfully reject workers’ ideas

December 13, 2019
Smart managers create an environment in the workplace that breeds ideas. However, not all ideas are good or practical. Use these tactics to safely deliver negative feedback.

Delegating? Avoid these 5 blunders

July 26, 2019
Delegating tasks is an essential part of being an effective manager. Ensure that when you delegate it’s a help and not a hassle—for you and the people to whom you give assignments. Don’t make these errors.

Field personal questions without being rude

June 14, 2019
Q. What should I say when I’m asked a personal question by one of my employees? I don’t want to be rude, but I also don’t want to answer it.

Plan better one-on-one meetings

May 22, 2019
To ensure that your one-on-one meetings are meaningful, follow the three Ps.