Memos to Managers

A 7-step survival guide for first-time managers

12/18/2024

Here is a seven-point guide to help rookie bosses quickly get control of the job, demonstrate competence and establish authority with a minimum of frustration.

Turn negative performance reviews into a positive experience

10/16/2024

Providing negative feedback during employee performance reviews is an uncomfortable but necessary part of being a successful manager. Surveys show that employees actually value negative feedback when it’s delivered constructively. But a poor approach can cause resentment and further job disengagement. Here are tips to follow when giving your next review.

Foster employee growth and advancement with performance-development plans

10/04/2024

Performance-development plans are excellent tools for keeping managers and employees on track with ongoing performance development, mentorship and learning. A PDP is designed to allow managers and employees to align on improving employee performance. It involves setting goals and measuring progress to grow the employees’ skills and improve performance.

How to improve employee attitude toward performance reviews

09/19/2024

Don’t give up on the usefulness of performance reviews. Instead, think about ways to make them more informative and engaging. Here are six things to try.

Microlearning: A powerful tool for developing your team

08/02/2024

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, continuous skills development is no longer optional—it’s essential for survival and success. As a manager, part of your job is fostering this growth and change, but traditional training methods may not always yield the desired results. Enter microlearning—a flexible, bite-sized approach to workplace training that could revolutionize how you develop your team’s skills and knowledge.

How to counsel employees who have personal problems

07/31/2024

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How to manage a culturally diverse team

05/24/2024

It is important for managers to foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique talents.

Ease workplace conflict with 3 simple steps

05/15/2024

In every person, the natural reaction to conflict is based on biology: When confronted with danger, our innate biological response is to either attack or run away—the famous “fight or flight” syndrome. In the workplace, neither fight nor flight behaviors are likely to result in solving the problem. Instead, use these three strategies to help you move from conflict to resolution.

The 5-step plan for handling an employee’s 2-weeks’ notice

04/17/2024

For a smooth exit that’s favorable to both employee and employer, follow these steps for any departure.

5 essential questions to ask your employees

03/20/2024

Don’t wait until you spot performance problems or the telltale signs of disenchantment. Take time to regularly sit down with workers to ask questions that get to the heart of their role with the company. Here are five essential questions to ask, as suggested by Susan Scott, author of Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time.