Memos to Managers

Managing the legal way: Lessons from the courts

03/26/2015

These four court cases exemplify core concepts—and traps—in employment law.

Manager quiz: How effective is your team?

03/03/2015

Genuine teamwork in most organizations is as elusive as it’s ever been, says Patrick Lencioni in his book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Take this quiz to see what is holding your team back from being in perfect harmony

Documenting performance: 3 most common mistakes

12/22/2014

In court, clear and specific documentation about an employee’s performance or behavior can mean the difference between a quick employer victory and an expensive defeat.

Pregnant employee? Better know the law

10/24/2014

When an employee tells you she’s pregnant, it may bring on mixed emotions for supervisors. While you’re happy for the employee, you’re anxious about the impact on scheduling, productivity—and whether she will quit after the birth.

How to make yourself into a leader, not just a boss

09/26/2014

Some people use the words interchangeably. But for many people, the traditional boss is someone who turns employees off, while a leader turns them on. That’s why it’s important to understand how to become a true leader of your team. Here are some useful guidelines.

How to effectively manage workaholic employees

08/29/2014

Suspect you’re managing a workaholic? Here are tips to help the employee find balance, and the organization cut costs and liability.

Let them butt heads! How to inspire healthy conflict

07/01/2014

Good managers want employees to constructively challenge their ideas because it produces better decisions and problem-solving.

Self-test: How well do you keep employees on task?

05/23/2014

Workplace surveys suggest that employees waste up to one full day of every workweek—up to nine weeks a year—with unproductive time. While some of the blame lies with inefficient or unmotivated employees, some can be chalked up to decisions made (or not made) by managers.

10 things your employees are dying to hear you say

04/25/2014

Only about a third of employees these days say they are “engaged” in their jobs. But in the midst of everyday chaos, it’s hard for managers to think about big-picture issues like employee morale and motivation. Here are 10 phrases or questions you can use with employees to build respect, gratitude and trust, according to a new book by Todd Patkin, Finding Happiness.

Win by losing: 7 bad communication habits to shed

03/05/2014

The quickest way for managers to improve their professional image is to improve their communication skills. And the simplest way to improve those skills is to stop doing things that repeatedly get you in trouble.