How do I manage someone who agrees with everything in the meeting and then doesn't do it?
When you ask 'does that make sense?' you're not verifying understanding... you're inviting a reflexive yes.
Series
Straight Answers
Direct answers to the questions managers ask.
49 pieces
How do I manage two employees who are best friends... and it's becoming a problem?
Two people who like each other isn't a management problem, it's a management asset. Your job is to make sure the friendship stays in its lane.
How do I manage someone who only does exactly what they're told and nothing more?
They're technically fine, and fine is eating your team alive.
How do I manage my most technically skilled employee when they're poisoning the team?
One toxic team member can reduce overall team productivity by 30 to 40 percent. Your star might be costing you more than they're making you.
How do I enforce RTO when my best people are the ones ignoring it?
Your top performer isn't in the office. Now what?
How do I give a raise recommendation when I don't control the budget?
You don't control the budget. But that's not actually what your employee is asking about.
How do I manage someone who thinks they should have gotten my job?
The instinct is to win them over. That's exactly the wrong move.
How do I motivate someone who's stopped caring but hasn't quit?
This is harder than managing someone who's failing. At least failure is visible.
How do I give negative feedback to someone who always gets defensive?
Most managers soften their message when someone pushes back. That's exactly what trains people to keep pushing back.
How do I manage someone who's been here longer than I have?
Separate institutional knowledge from decision-making authority. Their tenure gives them the first one. Your role gives you the second.
What do I do when my team ignores my messages in Slack?
If your team consistently ignores your Slack messages, you might not have a respect problem. You have a signal clarity problem.
How do I stop my team from constantly interrupting my work?
Most interruptions fall into three categories, and only one actually requires your immediate attention. Here's how to teach your team the difference.