People Management

What to say to worker who sees doom in everything

February 21, 2019
Trying to encourage your staff to do their best gets harder if one of them is always expecting the worst. Here’s how to approach these “Nervous Nellies.”

4 ways to give older workers a powerful boost

February 14, 2019
Clara Burns, partner at Kemp Smith LLP, points out that the institutional knowledge and experience that older workers possess—skills honed in the rough arena of cold business reality—are invaluable. She reveals how to give these employees what they really want, while making sure they still give you their all.

It’s a conference, not a vacation

January 10, 2019
Q. Our company is liberal with sending its people to various conferences around the country. They all come back seemingly rejuvenated and flush with new ideas. Some of it is useful; most of it is not. What can I do to ensure that these costly training trips don’t turn into junkets?

The war against capital letters

December 17, 2018
The internet predictably lost its mind recently when it was revealed that lecturers at Leeds Trinity University had been cautioned not to overuse capital letters when issuing assignments.

Deliver bad news and survive

November 8, 2018
Difficult conversations require some forethought. Map out what you want to say and rehearse if necessary. Here are four additional tips.

Why you need to stop talking to start leading

November 8, 2018
By giving my clients that airtime, I’m able to understand their challenges, relate to their needs and extend the empathy they badly want and need. For me, listening is how l learn. For my clients, it’s a way to show I value them.

Detail person … or micromanager?

September 27, 2018
Flush out any micromanagement tendencies you may have by answering these questions.

Is MBWA now DOA?

August 9, 2018
Q. I used to hear a lot about “management by walking around,” but not so much anymore. Has it become passe?

‘You’re choosing sheet cake over us?’

August 9, 2018
Q. I just had a top person tell me he won’t be attending an absolutely vital meeting next month because he’d promised to be there for his kid’s birthday. When I pushed him a little, he said it was a thing he “really needed to do.” Do I respect this guy totally or think of him as lacking in what it takes to bring him up to the higher levels?

Rivet your focus for best results

July 12, 2018
The best strategic thinkers attribute their success to one word: focus. They rivet their attention on their highest priorities—and sweep away less important matters.