Worker News
Weekly (4/5/11)
This week's contents:
Topic of the Week Win-Win: Managing Top Performers:
Most leaders adhere to a simple management philosophy, focus on the squeaky wheels at work. Yep, the slackers and troublemakers get all of our attention. We usually leave the great performers to their own devices. What a huge mistake. Which reminds me of a plan by the Webster, MA health board to shame owners of rundown buildings in the city. The Health Board wants to place a 4 x 8 foot sign on the sides of dilapidated buildings with the owner's name, address and telephone number.
We'll see how the billboards work, but if history is any guide, guilt and shame is effective. Heck, it worked with me when I was a kid. But when it comes to managing your top performers, you need to adopt a different approach, one that is focused on recognition and rewards. Most people in leadership struggle with the good cop role, because we're all so used to the bad cop part. Check out my three do's and one don't below. For more, check out Donna Deeprose's book, "How to Recognize and Reward Employees" (Amacom, 2007).
Do let them choose their projects. 3M and Google are two companies that have a reputation for giving employees paid time to work on their pet projects. I'm fascinated that more companies haven't figured this out. It's not only a great way to get new entrepreneurial projects, it's a great way to motivate your most creative employees. Again, I'm not necessarily suggesting that everyone gets a long leash in your company, just the people who've proven that they've earned it.
Do let employees learn new skills. Most employers focus on the jobs that employees are currently doing. They don't put nearly enough attention to letting their top performers grow and add on new skills. If there is one hallmark of a top performer, they usually are curious and want to learn. So it makes a lot of sense to create learning opportunities for them at work. Ironically, this all can only benefit your company, yet few organizations put much effort into developing new skills and expertise in their people.
Do let them lead cross-functional teams. Your employees can't help you, if you don't help your employees to develop their leadership skills. Intradepartment projects are a good place to start. But it's even better to put your employees in charge of teams that have a wide variety of skills and departments represented.
Don't hog all the visibility. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a person who works for you, to let them fill in for you at executive meetings. It's free, makes them feel like a million bucks and can give them important connections that they can use to help your cause down the road. Yet most managers insist on attending meetings on their own. Also in this same vein, look for every opportunity to give your people credit for great work.
Follow these tips and your employees won't get all rundown at work. They'll be totally motivated and producing great results.
Bob Rosner is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. For free job and work advice, check out the award-winning workplace911.com. Check the revised edition of his Wall Street Journal best seller, "The Boss's Survival Guide." If you have a question for Bob, contact him via bob@workplace911.com.
Thought of the Week
"Genius does what it must, talent does what it can"
–Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Blog of the Week
Top Five News Headlines
List of the Week
from Phone it in…Communications and today's workplace
- Flexible and remote work environments have become commonly accepted and are important for hiring and productivity, with 62% of firms now allowing remote workers.
- Remote workers are spending, on average, 40% of their time away from their office.
- Of workers who use video, 68% reported experiencing richer and more productive communication with colleagues, clients and suppliers
- The communications tool that is expected to have the biggest gain in usage next year is video calling.
Weekly: Archive
Select a date from the list below.
- December 28, 2020
- December 14, 2020
- December 7, 2020
- November 23, 2020
- November 16, 2020
- November 9, 2020
- November 2, 2020
- October 26, 2020
- October 12, 2020
- October 5, 2020
- September 28, 2020
- September 21, 2020
- September 14, 2020
- September 7, 2020
- August 31, 2020
- August 24, 2020
- August 17, 2020
- August 10, 2020
- July 27, 2020
- July 20, 2020
- July 13, 2020
- July 6, 2020
- June 22, 2020
- June 15, 2020
- June 1, 2020
- May 25, 2020
- May 18, 2020
- May 11, 2020
- May 4, 2020
- April 27, 2020
- April 20, 2020
- April 13, 2020
- April 6, 2020
- March 30, 2020
- March 23, 2020
- March 16, 2020
- March 9, 2020
- March 2, 2020
- February 24, 2020
- February 17, 2020
- February 10, 2020
- February 3, 2020
- January 27, 2020
- January 20, 2020
- January 13, 2020
- December 23, 2019
- December 16, 2019
- December 9, 2019
- December 2, 2019
- November 25, 2019
- November 18, 2019
- November 11, 2019
- November 4, 2019
- October 28, 2019
- October 7, 2019
- September 30, 2019
- September 16, 2019
- September 2, 2019
- August 26, 2019
- July 29, 2019
- July 15, 2019
- June 17, 2019
- June 10, 2019
- May 6, 2019
- April 29, 2019
- April 22, 2019
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- April 8, 2019
- March 25, 2019
- March 11, 2019
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- June 18, 2018
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- April 23, 2018
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- April 9, 2018
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- March 26, 2018
- March 19, 2018
- March 12, 2018
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- February 5, 2018
- January 29, 2018
- January 22, 2018
- January 8, 2018
- January 1, 2018
- December 18, 2017
- December 11, 2017
- December 4, 2017
- November 27, 2017
- November 13, 2017
- November 6, 2017
- October 30, 2017
- October 23, 2017
- October 16, 2017
- October 9, 2017
- October 2, 2017
- September 25, 2017
- September 18, 2017
- September 11, 2017
- September 4, 2017
- August 28, 2017
- August 21, 2017
- August 14, 2017
- August 7, 2017
- July 31, 2017
- July 24, 2017
- July 17, 2017
- July 3, 2017
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- December 19, 2016
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- October 17, 2016
- October 10, 2016
- October 3, 2016
- September 26, 2016
- September 19, 2016
- September 12, 2016
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- August 22, 2016
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- August 8, 2016
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- February 29, 2016
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- February 8, 2016
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- January 25, 2016
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- January 11, 2016
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- December 21, 2015
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- December 7, 2015
- November 30, 2015
- November 23, 2015
- November 16, 2015
- November 9, 2015
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- October 26, 2015
- October 19, 2015
- October 12, 2015
- October 5, 2015
- September 28, 2015
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- September 7, 2015
- August 31, 2015
- August 24, 2015
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- September 24, 2014
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- March 16, 2009
- March 8, 2009
- March 2, 2009
Areas of Practice
Suite 1850,
Monday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Tuesday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Wednesday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Thursday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Friday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Saturday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Sunday | Closed |