Manager Tools

Adding Headcount Basics 27.03.2017 ↓

Just because your people "are too busy" doesn't mean it's time to add more.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 5 20.03.2017 ↓

Part 5 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 4 13.03.2017 ↓

Part 4 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 3 06.03.2017 ↓

Part 3 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 2 27.02.2017 ↓

Part 2 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 1 20.02.2017 ↓

Part 1 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

One On Ones After Conflict 13.02.2017 ↓

How to handle your One On One with your directs after you've had a disagreement with them, or a conflict.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 3 06.02.2017 ↓

Part 3 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 2 30.01.2017 ↓

Part 2 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 1 23.01.2017 ↓

Part 1 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

The Written Review Scale - Less Absolute Value 16.01.2017 ↓

You can and often should deliver a different message verbally than your written comments on a performance review. The key is to moderate your written comments with "Less Absolute Value."

How to Run Your Staff Meeting - Part 2 - HOF 09.01.2017 ↓

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on running your staff meeting.

How to Run Your Staff Meeting - Part 1 - HOF 02.01.2017 ↓

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on running your staff meeting.

A Professional Sense of Humor - Part 2 26.12.2016 ↓

Part 2 of our guidance on what kind of jokes you can and can't tell as a manager and professional. And why.

A Professional Sense of Humor - Part 1 19.12.2016 ↓

Part 1 of our guidance on what kind of jokes you can and can't tell as a manager and professional. And why.

Is This Normal? Episode 2 12.12.2016 ↓

Is This Normal? Episode 2

Special Edition - The Wall Street Journal Features Manager Tools 08.12.2016 ↓

In this bonus podcast, Mark comments on the recent Wall Street Journal article that featured Manager Tools.

Teach As If Teach Not Performance Communication 05.12.2016 ↓

How to provide some guidance or corrective input when feedback might be more than enough, or to ease a less experienced direct into a performance culture.

Delivering The Performance Review - Part 2 - HOF 01.12.2016 ↓

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Delivering The Performance Review - Part 1 - HOF 28.11.2016 ↓

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Performance Reviews - Part 2 - HOF 24.11.2016 ↓

Part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

Performance Reviews - Part 1 - HOF 21.11.2016 ↓

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 1).

Don't Vote! - How to Get Group Input on Decisions - Part 2 14.11.2016 ↓

Part 2 of our guidance on effective ways to get input for decisions in meetings.

Don't Vote! - How to Get Group Input on Decisions - Part 1 07.11.2016 ↓

Part 1 of our guidance on effective ways to get input for decisions in meetings.

No Surprises In Reviews 31.10.2016 ↓

It's unprofessional to deliver new information to a direct in a performance review.