Memos to Managers

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.

National-origin discrimination: What you need to know

01/27/2014

The rapidly increasing diversity of the U.S. workforce requires all managers to be aware of their legal responsibilities when dealing with applicants and employees from different races, ethnic groups and religions.

Interviewing: Close the sale with the right message

12/26/2013

Everyone who comes in contact with prospective job candidates, from receptionists to hiring managers, must think of themselves as salespeople at times. Here are tips to help achieve that goal.

Writing job descriptions: An 8-question checklist

11/29/2013

Inaccurate or incomplete job descriptions can create costly legal risks. Here are eight questions managers should ask themselves when drafting a job description.

Emotional rescue: How to help angry employees vent

10/29/2013

Say one of your employees walks into your office all red-faced and angry. How should you respond? Follow these do’s and don’ts to help employees vent about stressful work problems and think about solutions: