Tap Dancing to Work: Warren Buffett on Practically Everything
Category Archives: Managing People
Beware of the Shortcut to the Top [Career Planning]
Good college basketball players are often persuaded not to turn pro during their junior years, because, once they start professional basketball, they are expected to play regularly and they will miss the opportunity to get extensive coaching and work on … Continue reading
Posted in Career Development, Managing People
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Don’t be Rude to Receptionists and Support Staff
One of the quickest ways to fail in an interview is to ignore, be discourteous, or be disrespectful to receptionists and support staff. Some job candidates believe that they do not need to be at their best behavior in front … Continue reading
Do Not Play the Office Cop
A co-worker takes twice as many days off as your company allows. The receptionist is frequently on the phone with her boyfriend. A team member goofs off all the time and never gets his job done. To top it all, … Continue reading
Posted in Managing People, Self Development
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If You Pay Peanuts, You Get Monkeys [Hiring]
During the economic slowdown last year, a manager had a choice between two consultants for a critical project to turnaround the prospects of his division. The first candidate was five years out of business school; his billing rate was $370 … Continue reading
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Sucking up Isn’t a Requirement for Success
Consider the all-too-familiar boss’s pet employee at an office. He uses flattery, goes out of his way to help the boss, curries personal favors, and constantly tows the boss’s line no matter how unreasonable it is. He never corrects the … Continue reading
Posted in Career Development, Managing People
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“The Puppy Theory” of Giving Feedback Too Late
A common mistake we make in giving feedback to others is that we tend to defer corrective (negative) feedback. We put off criticism until the problem escalates or, as managers, wait until the employee’s performance review discussions. This predisposition is … Continue reading
Posted in Managing People, Self Development
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[Swearing, Profanity] Mind Your Language
Last week, Time Magazine discussed research that suggests that using curse words can help cope with physical pain. This reminds me of a 2007 research that implies that regular swearing helps employees better express their feelings in stressful circumstances and … Continue reading
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Email Tips: Delegating to Another’s Employee
Here are six guidelines to delegate work to an employee who does not directly report to you. These guidelines are applicable even when you delegate to one of your employees’ employees. When requesting a routine work from an employee, copy … Continue reading
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People Want Their Thinking to Count
Everybody Desires to be Heard Last week, a manager complained that his boss constantly pushes his ideas with a “here’s what I want you to do” even though the manager is a subject expert. A wife criticized her husband for … Continue reading
Posted in Managing People, Self Development
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[Effective Meetings] Save Time by Meeting in Others’ Offices
Henry Ford Saved Time by Meeting Others in Their Offices Here is a productivity technique practiced by Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company and automobile engineering pioneer. One of his executives noticed that Ford almost always conferred with … Continue reading
