Communication

Harness the power of the thank-you note

10/11/2019

If the last time you remember penning an actual thank-you note was at age 10 when your mother insisted you couldn’t spend the birthday money Aunt Helen sent until you wrote one, you’re missing out on a simple way to connect with others—and enhance your own life.

Write memos that people will read

08/28/2019

If a subject is important enough for you to write a memo, take the time to write it in a way that people will read it through. Deliver effective messages with these actions.

How to deliver bad news to employees

07/30/2019

Even when business is good, HR occasionally must do the organization’s dirty work by delivering bad news. The next time you have to pass along bad news to employees, remember these pointers.

Choosing the right words: What to say when …

06/24/2019

Three tricky communication scenarios, and many solutions for them.

Head off a lawsuit with an apology?

06/19/2019

Some attorneys now advocate that an often-overlooked option of simply saying “I’m sorry” in certain situations may actually soothe feelings, and even defuse legal action.

6 common reasons bosses withhold praise

05/23/2019

Employees who are recognized for their efforts are generally contented—and contented employees rarely sue their employers. Train managers to beware these common excuses for withholding praise—and what to do instead.

HR comm practices raise information security risks

03/26/2019

Confidential employee information may be at risk because HR pros regularly use insecure technology to share it.

Channel your inner referee

02/21/2019

As a manager, you cannot stop workers from blowing their tops. But you can defuse their fury. Take these two steps.

How’s your onboarding process? Survey to find out

01/25/2019

Don’t just hope that your onboarding efforts are working. Wait 30 days after each hiring and then survey the employee on his or her experience on that first day.

Do this first to resolve conflict

12/21/2018

When you must mediate a conflict between co-workers or employees, before you do anything else, first decide if it is hot or cold.