Managing friends is a challenge faced by many new managers. If you were promoted from within, you are probably managing people with whom you previously worked. It’s likely that you are friends with one or more of them. I’m not saying it’s impossible to manage a friend. I’ve done it several times. In fact, there… Read More >>

New managers are now coaches more than doers I’m reminded of my brother-in-law, who has always been a talented baseball player. He was a pitching star all through Little League and high school. Then he went to college on a baseball scholarship and after graduating, was recruited by the San Francisco Giants. He went into… Read More >>

And now for a word about criticism. In the last episode of this videoblog, I discussed the power of positive feedback and corrective feedback, and how important it is that it be specific, whether it’s reinforcing or corrective. After I posted, I got some feedback myself from Mike Murray, a mentor and friend I’ve known… Read More >>

For many managers, giving employee feedback can be intimidating and sometimes nerve wracking. Of course, giving feedback that’s positive is usually pretty easy. You can just say, “Hey, great job.” It’s always more effective, however, if you specifically list out what was so great about the job. That takes more effort but usually makes the feedback… Read More >>

Building employee loyalty is probably the best thing you can do to control and reduce employee turn-over. In a previous videoblog, I mentioned that the cost of replacing an employee can be as much as 150% of the employee’s salary. If you’ve got a big turnover rate, you are paying a hefty penalty for an… Read More >>

Last week I discussed employee retention at  Hardee Manor, a nursing home in Wauchula, Florida where administrator Mary Love reduced the employee turnover from 250% to 17% per year. Now that’s a whopping reduction! Her philosophy was: you can retain more eagles (she refers to the eagles as her best employees) by getting rid of your… Read More >>

Employee turnover is a popular subject among us management consultants, especially when the economy is good, and unemployment is low. Now you may say, “what’s the big deal?” Well, besides the interruption in your organizational flow and production, there’s the cost. According to a study by Hewitt and Associates, the average cost of turnover to… Read More >>

So How Should Millennials Give Feedback To Baby Boomers? It’s a question that is being asked more and more in today’s workplace.  Hi, my name is Meagan Johnson. I’m a professional speaker and Generational Humorist. I speak to groups, audiences, associations and corporations about the multiple generations in the workforce, the marketplace and even in… Read More >>

Giving honest feedback to employees can be tricky. Good leadership in this arena can be helpful. In my most recent video blog titled “Truth To Power: Avoiding the Naked Emperor Syndrome” I discussed some techniques for encouraging employees to speak up and give you honest feedback, even when it’s risky for them. Let’s now take… Read More >>