Manager Tools

Get Your Directs a Mentor 01.09.2014 ↓

Why and how to get mentors for your directs.

Feedback Step 3 - Emotions Are Okay 24.08.2014 ↓

It's okay to tell your directs how you feel (within professional limits) when giving them feedback.

Have You Talked To Them? 18.08.2014 ↓

When your directs want you to adjudicate a fight, start by asking, "Have you talked to them?"

Notes From The Field - Q3 2014 11.08.2014 ↓

We answer recurring questions from the field.

Meeting Self-Facilitation - Part 2 04.08.2014 ↓

The conclusion of our series on how to manage the time you're given during a meeting.

Meeting Self-Facilitation 28.07.2014 ↓

How to manage the time you're given during a meeting.

Feedback Doesn't Preclude - Chapter 1 21.07.2014 ↓

Just saying, "Thank you," is an enormously powerful form of feedback.

Job Transparency For Development - Part 2 14.07.2014 ↓

To better be able to delegate parts of your job, it's best to be transparent about your job.

Job Transparency For Development 07.07.2014 ↓

To better be able to delegate parts of your job, it's best to be transparent about your job.

Licensee Call HR Question 30.06.2014 ↓

In this podcast, we answer the question, "How can HR improve Manager Tools' impression of them?"

Disaster Recovery Part 1 - Check On Your People 23.06.2014 ↓

The first thing an effective manager does when a disaster strikes is to check on the safety of your people. People trump all organizational and operational needs.

When Angry, Disengage 16.06.2014 ↓

Our recommendations on what to do when you are feeling angry with your direct.

No Meetings Monday Morning 08.06.2014 ↓

Don't schedule meetings on Monday mornings. Meetings slow people down.

Boss One-on-One Pushback 02.06.2014 ↓

How to respond if your boss tells you he/she doesn’t agree with you doing One on Ones.

The Corky Story - Part 3 26.05.2014 ↓

Part 3 of Dani's best management story about how she used the Manager Tools Trinity to terminate a poor performer in an organization where "you can't fire anyone."

The Corky Story - Part 2 19.05.2014 ↓

Part 2 of Dani's best management story about how she used the Manager Tools Trinity to terminate a poor performer in an organization where "you can't fire anyone.

The Corky Story - Part 1 12.05.2014 ↓

Dani's best management story about how she used the Manager Tools Trinity to terminate a poor performer in an organization where "you can't fire anyone."

Politics 101 – Chapter 5 – Favors Matter (Part 2) 05.05.2014 ↓

Doing "favors" for colleagues is an important part of the political/relationship culture in all organizations. It pays to give and to receive them.

Politics 101 – Chapter 5 – Favors Matter (Part 1) 28.04.2014 ↓

Doing "favors" for colleagues is an important part of the political/relationship culture in all organizations. It pays to give and to receive them.

THE Development Question 21.04.2014 ↓

Learn to ask your directs, "What do YOU think?" when they come to you with problems. THAT is the simple way to develop their skills – have them learn new ones.

Span of Control Guidelines 14.04.2014 ↓

How many people the average manager can supervise, and what rules to apply when creating team sizes.

Don't Waste Your Vote - Part 2 07.04.2014 ↓

Don't vote against a plan or decision if you're the only one doing so, unless it's for ethics or principles (and it usually isn't).

Don't Waste Your Vote - Part 1 31.03.2014 ↓

Don't vote against a plan or decision if you're the only one doing so, unless it's for ethics or principles (and it usually isn't).

Insist on Behavior When Assisting 24.03.2014 ↓

The best way to help colleagues and fellow managers with their employees is to insist on behaviors. But most managers don't think this way.

Documentation Basics - Part 2 17.03.2014 ↓

How To Document Performance - Part 2.