It's a typical day at work. You're on the computer, entering data, while you're talking on the phone. A staff member comes to your office door, stack of papers in hand, and you motion for her to come in and put the papers on your desk. You continue your phone conversation, momentarily removing your hands from the keyboard in order look through the papers. You're a multitasking … [Read more...] about Forget multitasking! Here are 4 ways to improve your focus and get more done
Your career
Why your career depends upon building respect from your staff
Whether you are a new administrator or an old one, don't expect to keep the job for long without the respect of staff. Respect is not something that comes with a job title or a business card. It has to be earned. And for the most part, that means treating the employees as well as or better than the clients are treated. With me, not for me Leadership starts with respect, and … [Read more...] about Why your career depends upon building respect from your staff
Employment Law Update for HR Managers
By Mike O’Brien bio This is my periodic update prepared for interested HR professionals trying to deal with the complex American employment laws. Federal Appeals Court says sexual orientation bias is illegal: A federal appeals court (covering Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana) has ruled, for the first time, that existing law prohibiting discrimination based on sex … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update for HR Managers
How to end 3 costly kinds of office conflict
One of the most unpleasant – if not dreaded – facets of management is dealing with conflicts. In a law office, they come in one of three forms: conflicts between staffers, between staffer and manager, and between lawyer and manager. And each gets handled in a different way. 1 Staffer versus staffer Staffer and staffer conflict becomes apparent a number of ways. One side … [Read more...] about How to end 3 costly kinds of office conflict
8 proven strategies for managing people better
1 Hire the right people 2 Understand personalities 3 Motivate staff 4 Build morale 5 Improve performance 6 Use perks that go a long way 7 Give productive reviews 8 Know how to manage Managing the people with their problems and personalities is the most formidable part of management. So here is a long list of ways to make the job easier. These suggestions come from the many … [Read more...] about 8 proven strategies for managing people better
Like a Boss: Traits and behaviors
By Michelle Spencer bio As I was reviewing articles for the Like a Boss series, a few themes kept appearing as key areas of focus for bosses: Communication, Performance Management, and Relationships. If you are looking for ideas for leadership training, any of these would be a good place to start. First and foremost, people want open, honest, and … [Read more...] about Like a Boss: Traits and behaviors
Discrimination at work: Prevalent yet subtle workplace bias erodes productivity and engagement
A recent study by VitalSmarts, a Top 20 Leadership Training Company, has found that more than a quarter (27 percent) of those who experience discrimination at work report the bias to be common, impactful, and beyond their ability to manage. The result of this triple threat of factors leads to frustration, stress, depression, and helplessness on the job. To measure the impact … [Read more...] about Discrimination at work: Prevalent yet subtle workplace bias erodes productivity and engagement
How to start a new job as the firm’s manager, not just as its top staffer
Advice to the new administrator: "The first few weeks of the job are very, very important and you have to use them well because you can't get them back." Using them well means establishing a professional management relationship with the partners, finding out what the partners expect of their administrator, and showing staff what's expected of them, says attorney T. Hensley … [Read more...] about How to start a new job as the firm’s manager, not just as its top staffer
Want to retain your top employees? Look to your exit interviews
According to the Employee Retention Report published by Work Institute, a leader in workforce intelligence, research and consulting, over 75% of the reasons employees leave their jobs could have been prevented by their employer. The recently released report reveals the truth about the employee marketplace, separates fact from fiction when it comes to why employees leave their … [Read more...] about Want to retain your top employees? Look to your exit interviews
5 ways to end generational stereotyping in your organization
By Dr. William A. Schiemann bio These days, the Millennial Generation is hyped, perhaps even more than Baby Boomers were hyped in the 1950s and 1960s. As I meet with executives around the globe, there is widespread confusion and misunderstanding about generational differences. This is creating stereotypes that are inappropriate, rarely true, and costing … [Read more...] about 5 ways to end generational stereotyping in your organization