Memos to Managers

Maintain productivity by helping managers address employee fears

05/05/2020

Many people who have kept their jobs during the coronavirus turmoil are grateful just to still be employed. But don’t for a moment think health, safety, financial security and other COVID-19 concerns aren’t on their minds—and affecting their performance.

Here’s how to review remote staff performance

04/21/2020

Performance reviews—often difficult and stressful, always important—pose special challenges when not conducted face-to-face. When it’s time to have those critical performance conversations, these simple tips can help you make the most of virtual meetings.

Coronavirus tactics: Managing a remote staff

03/13/2020

Want to get the most from your remote staff? Showing that out of sight does not mean out of mind encourages them to step up their game and contribute to the company’s development.

The culture checklist: 8 steps to recruit & retain the best

02/27/2020

Deb Boelkes, author of The WOW Factor Workplace, suggests managers look at these eight factors to measure their role in creating a great workplace.

How to have those ‘tough talks’ with employees: 10 tips

11/21/2019

Tough conversations can actually strengthen relationships and help both parties grow personally and professionally—if you handle them the right way. Here are 10 tips for having those difficult conversations from Quint Studer, author of the bestseller The Busy Leader’s Handbook.

Out of the doldrums: How to reignite your employees’ passion

07/29/2019

Just as partners benefit from checking with one another to gauge fulfillment levels and figure out how to grow together, managers who take an interest in maintaining a passionate staff reap great rewards.

Choosing the right words: What to say when …

06/24/2019

Three tricky communication scenarios, and many solutions for them.

5 ways to handle the suck-up on your team

06/11/2019

“A ‘yes-man’ who agrees with everything a manager says can be just as destructive as a disengaged employee who doesn’t say anything at all.

Let’s all play nice! Prevent and manage bullying in the workplace

04/21/2019

Here are a few simple ways to prevent and manage workplace bullying—for the sake of your staff, and your own ability to be an influential manager.

Management skills checklist: Which do you do well?

01/25/2019

The most effective managers demonstrate a very specific set of skills and behaviors in the workplace. New research by MindTools and the London Business School identified these core skills that the best managers master.