Management Skills

Stage meetings for maximum impact

May 1, 2008
The setting for team meetings matters more than you may think. If the group always gathers in the same room, a “same old, same old” mentality can sink in and stymie creativity.

Stop derailments by speaking up at team meetings

April 1, 2008
Even if you diligently prepare everyone in advance for a team meeting, it can be difficult keeping the discussion on track.

An ugly debate

April 1, 2008
Teri updates us on her attempt to create a policy for employees to donate their earned time off to help their peers who face personal emergencies but who have already used all their time off.

Practice goal-first delegation

April 1, 2008
Practice goal-first delegation … Apply a tool from your last training session … Seek personal updates.

Defuse negative energy–or else

April 1, 2008
When you manage negative employees, you may shrug and say, “Oh, well, at least they get the job done.” But just because they do the work doesn’t mean you should accept their bad attitude.

Lead like a champion by picturing success

April 1, 2008
Despite his six national waterskiing titles and five records, David Benzel shrugs off his talent and athleticism. He prefers to talk about how he has learned to think like a champion.

From nice to nasty

March 1, 2008
Teri, a director at an Iowa-based manufacturer, shares her story about employees who donate their earned time off to help their peers.

Learn to say no–and mean it

March 1, 2008
Many managers err on the side of giving in too often and obliging others when saying no would better serve everyone.

Think green at your workplace

March 1, 2008
In the aftermath of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and the higher profile of environmental issues in this year’s presidential race, managers must take more steps to go green.

Are you too bossy?

March 1, 2008
As a manager, you know you’re paid in part to oversee employees’ performance. Just don’t assume you need to boss people around for them to succeed.