Manager Tools

Why Is Negative Feedback So Hard? - Part 1 Feb 17, 2025

Lots of managers - hundreds of thousand, and perhaps millions by now - start doing Manager Tools One On Ones, and they love them. They love them because they work, and they’re not as hard as the manager thought they would be. And very few managers who do Manager Tools One On Ones never stop. But feedback is a different story. We would guess that around half of Manager Tools managers don’t ever fully implement feedback so that it’s second nature in a way that their directs know this is how their boss will talk to them about their performance. Why is it so hard?

The Simple Quarterly Performance Review Feb 10, 2025

Most managers think that performance reviews are their most significant contribution to performance management and improvement. But that’s wrong. Frequent feedback is the greatest tool we managers have to improve performance. In fact, performance reviews aren’t even really part of the performance improvement efforts managers engage in. Performance reviews are an organizational system that is primarily designed to help the organization manage succession planning.

The Purpose of Feedback - Part 3 Feb 03, 2025

Almost every Non-Manager Tools manager thinks feedback is hard. And yet every year thousands of managers start giving feedback successfully. These managers have discovered that not only is it NOT that hard, but it’s well received, it works, and frankly, it’s easy to get addicted to giving it.

The Purpose of Feedback - Part 2 Jan 27, 2025

Almost every Non-Manager Tools manager thinks feedback is hard. And yet every year thousands of managers start giving feedback successfully. These managers have discovered that not only is it NOT that hard, but it’s well received, it works, and frankly, it’s easy to get addicted to giving it.

The Purpose of Feedback - Part 1 Jan 20, 2025

Almost every Non-Manager Tools manager thinks feedback is hard. And yet every year thousands of managers start giving feedback successfully. These managers have discovered that not only is it NOT that hard, but it's well received, it works, and frankly, it's easy to get addicted to giving it.

A Basic Team Culture Model For Managers - Part 2 Jan 13, 2025

In this guidance, we share what we think the base culture ought to be for all managers. You may wish to add more - that can be fine. Just be careful you don't have too many culture touch points - at some point they'll start conflicting with each other.

A Basic Team Culture Model For Managers - Part 1 Jan 06, 2025

In this guidance, we share what we think the base culture ought to be for all managers. You may wish to add more - that can be fine. Just be careful you don't have too many culture touch points - at some point they'll start conflicting with each other.

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2024 Dec 30, 2024

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2024 Dec 23, 2024

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to start setting annual goals, and why we do not like "SMART" goals.

The Tetris Workload Battle - Part 2 Dec 16, 2024

The Tetris Workload Battle - Part 2

The Tetris Workload Battle - Part 1 Dec 09, 2024

The Tetris Workload Battle - Part 1

How To Get Subordinate Managers To Do One On Ones - Part 2 Dec 02, 2024

How To Get Subordinate Managers To Do One On Ones

Delivering the Performance Review - HOF 2024 Nov 25, 2024

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2024 Nov 18, 2024

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

How To Get Subordinate Managers To Do One On Ones - Part 1 Nov 11, 2024

How To Get Subordinate Managers To Do One On Ones

The Goal Of An Interview Is To Create A DECISION Nov 04, 2024

Our guidance on the reason for interviewing

The Feedback Sandwich Oct 28, 2024

Our guidance on the Feedback Sandwich.

"Is That What You Want” - Not Recommended Oct 21, 2024

Our guidance on using "Is that what you want?" in the Manager Tools Feedback Model.

Celebrate Yellow Tasks - Part 2 Oct 14, 2024

Part 2 of our guidance on how to change the ways you interact with your team when it comes to keeping work on time.

Celebrate Yellow Tasks - Part 1 Oct 07, 2024

Part 1 of our guidance on how to change the ways you interact with your team when it comes to keeping work on time.

What If Your Direct Says No To Change? Sep 30, 2024

What happens when you ask a direct to change for the better and they say no? Are they resisting all changes now? Is there something going on you don’t know about? Are they going to be a problem going forward? Are they developing an attitude? Uh-oh.

How To Respond To A Grievance - Part 4 Sep 23, 2024

What happens when one of your directs, or even not a direct, files a grievance against you? How should you respond? What are the rules? What can you do, and what should you do, and how should you do it? It's a rare event for a Manager Tools manager, so the Christmas Rule applies. But we'll tell you here exactly what to do and how to respond.

How To Respond To A Grievance - Part 3 Sep 16, 2024

What happens when one of your directs, or even not a direct, files a grievance against you? How should you respond? What are the rules? What can you do, and what should you do, and how should you do it? It's a rare event for a Manager Tools manager, so the Christmas Rule applies. But we'll tell you here exactly what to do and how to respond.

How To Respond To A Grievance - Part 2 Sep 09, 2024

What happens when one of your directs, or even not a direct, files a grievance against you? How should you respond? What are the rules? What can you do, and what should you do, and how should you do it? It's a rare event for a Manager Tools manager, so the Christmas Rule applies. But we'll tell you here exactly what to do and how to respond.

How To Respond To A Grievance - Part 1 Sep 02, 2024

What happens when one of your directs, or even not a direct, files a grievance against you? How should you respond? What are the rules? What can you do, and what should you do, and how should you do it? It's a rare event for a Manager Tools manager, so the Christmas Rule applies. But we'll tell you here exactly what to do and how to respond.

What Number Twos Do - And Why - Part 2 Aug 26, 2024

To find the time to get your own work done, you've got to name a successor: a Number Two. You can be forgiven for thinking that Number Two's aren't really a thing, because so few managers use them. But the best do. And here's how they delegate to them, for both the Number Two's benefit, and for YOU.

What Number Twos Do - And Why - Part 1 Aug 19, 2024

To find the time to get your own work done, you've got to name a successor: a Number Two. You can be forgiven for thinking that Number Two's aren't really a thing, because so few managers use them. But the best do. And here's how they delegate to them, for both the Number Two's benefit, and for YOU.

Top Ten Hiring Mistakes - #9 - Comparing Candidates Aug 12, 2024

Hiring is a critical skill for managers, and especially so for executives. And managers and executives have been making the same hiring mistakes for the past 30 years. Here's your rogue's gallery of hiring (which is separate from interviewing.)

"You're Asking For The Wrong Thing" Aug 05, 2024

It's actually usually a good thing when directs ask for a promotion. Yes, some folks aren't ready, and some folks just want more money, or to make their resume look better for their career planning. But for the most part, people asking for promotions is good. Most managers don't think that, because when a direct asks for a promotion and isn't ready - and most are not - that means we managers have to have a "difficult conversation." We have to, "tell them they're not ready." But that's seeing the glass as half empty. The half full way to think of the conversation is simple: no direct who wants a promotion is assuming they won't get more responsibilities.. The right way to handle this conversation is to tell them that they're asking for the wrong thing - the promotion - rather than the right thing - more responsibilities.

Interviewing Is NOT A Two Way Street Jul 29, 2024

The common wisdom these days says that "interviewing is a two-way street." In other words, the candidate is evaluating you and your company and your opportunity at the same time. Unfortunately, like most common wisdom - wisdom not being common - this is very bad advice! Candidates should not be trying to interview you while you are interviewing them. Here's what to do when they start asking questions. They'll get their chance to ask questions, but not just yet.

Manager Tools Delegation Model - Updated Jul 22, 2024

Our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Delegation Model.

Manager Tools Coaching Model - Updated - Part 3 Jul 15, 2024

Part 3 of our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Manager Tools Coaching Model - Updated - Part 2 Jul 08, 2024

Part 2 of our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Manager Tools Coaching Model - Updated - Part 1 Jul 01, 2024

Part 1 of our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

The Manager Tools Chatbot - Great Management Advice Jun 24, 2024

Our founders, Mark Horstman and Michael Auzenne, introduce the Manager Tools chatbot and share features, development details, and benefits for professional individual contributors, managers, and executives.

Rolling Out The Trinity - Updated - Part 3 Jun 17, 2024

Part 3 of our updated guidance on how to gradually implement The Manager Tools Management Trinity (One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation). When managers try to implement all the tools all at once it can end in disaster. Most of us can only learn one new significant skill at a time. And that goes for our directs, too: they're learning along with us. This process for implementation will ensure success in your roll out.

Rolling Out The Trinity - Updated - Part 2 Jun 10, 2024

Part 2 of our updated guidance on how to gradually implement The Manager Tools Management Trinity (One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation). When managers try to implement all the tools all at once it can end in disaster. Most of us can only learn one new significant skill at a time. And that goes for our directs, too: they're learning along with us. This process for implementation will ensure success in your roll out.

Rolling Out The Trinity - Updated - Part 1 Jun 03, 2024

Part 1 of our updated guidance on how to gradually implement The Manager Tools Management Trinity (One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation). When managers try to implement all the tools all at once it can end in disaster. Most of us can only learn one new significant skill at a time. And that goes for our directs, too: they're learning along with us. This process for implementation will ensure success in your roll out.

Manager Tools Feedback Model - Updated - Part 3 May 27, 2024

Part 3 of our guidance describing the most effective method of letting your directs know how they are performing: Feedback. Feedback shows someone the impact of their behavior, allowing them to change ineffective actions or continue doing things that help the team achieve its goals.

Manager Tools Feedback Model - Updated - Part 2 May 20, 2024

Part 2 of our guidance describing the most effective method of letting your directs know how they are performing: Feedback. Feedback shows someone the impact of their behavior, allowing them to change ineffective actions or continue doing things that help the team achieve its goals.

Manager Tools Feedback Model - Updated - Part 1 May 13, 2024

Part 1 of our guidance describing the most effective method of letting your directs know how they are performing: Feedback. Feedback shows someone the impact of their behavior, allowing them to change ineffective actions or continue doing things that help the team achieve its goals.

Manager Tools One On Ones - Updated - Part 3 May 06, 2024

Part 3 of our detailed guidance on how to conduct the most important "manager tool" we've ever known or seen: Manager Tools One On Ones. These meetings help managers build trust, the professional measurement that correlates better than any other with results and retention.

Manager Tools One On Ones - Updated - Part 2 Apr 29, 2024

Part 2 of our detailed guidance on how to conduct the most important "manager tool" we've ever known or seen: Manager Tools One On Ones. These meetings help managers build trust, the professional measurement that correlates better than any other with results and retention.

Manager Tools One On Ones - Updated - Part 1 Apr 22, 2024

Part 1 of our detailed guidance on how to conduct the most important "manager tool" we've ever known or seen: Manager Tools One On Ones. These meetings help managers build trust, the professional measurement that correlates better than any other with results and retention.

The Proactive Manager - Chapter 2 - Meetings - Part 2 Apr 15, 2024

Part 2 of our chapter two guidance on meetings for the proactive manager.

The Proactive Manager - Chapter 2 - Meetings - Part 1 Apr 08, 2024

Part 1 of our chapter two guidance on meetings for the proactive manager.

The Proactive Manager - Chapter 1 - Reporting - Part 2 Apr 01, 2024

Part 2 of our chapter one guidance on reporting for the proactive manager.

The Proactive Manager - Chapter 1 - Reporting - Part 1 Mar 25, 2024

Part 1 of our chapter one guidance on reporting for the proactive manager.

How To Choose a Managerial Successor - Part 2 Mar 18, 2024

Part 2 of our guidance on how to choose a managerial successor.

How To Choose a Managerial Successor - Part 1 Mar 11, 2024

Part 1 of our guidance on how to choose a managerial successor.

Getting Chewed Out In Public Mar 04, 2024

You're going to get chewed out by your boss in public. It happens. Don't do anything publicly.

"My Directs Are Too Busy" - Part 2 Feb 26, 2024

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do when your directs tell you they are too busy.

"My Directs Are Too Busy" - Part 1 Feb 19, 2024

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do when your directs tell you they are too busy.

How To Handle A Sudden Demotion Feb 12, 2024

Our guidance on how to handle a sudden demotion.

Educate Your Directs On Performance Reviews Early - Part 2 Feb 05, 2024

Part 2 of our guidance on educating your directs on performance reviews early.

Educate Your Directs On Performance Reviews Early - Part 1 Jan 29, 2024

Part 1 of our guidance on educating your directs on performance reviews early.

Salary Discussions 2x2 Matrix Tool - Part 2 Jan 22, 2024

Part 2 of our guidance on the salary discussions 2x2 matrix tool.

Salary Discussions 2x2 Matrix Tool - Part 1 Jan 15, 2024

Just because a direct’s performance is exceptional doesn’t mean that they deserve a raise, believe it or not. Employee performance is only half of the equation.

Yes Or No Questions (YONKERS) Jan 08, 2024

You're going to get asked yes or no questions, and there are only three effective answers. Anything else is unprofessional, and what might be interpreted as weak. There's a difference between asked, "How's the project" - Inevitably, "fine;" and, "Are you 100% green this week?' Better questions get better answers. And when a professional gets a better question, a better answer is the best answer.

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2024 Jan 01, 2024

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2023 Dec 25, 2023

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to start setting annual goals, and why we do not like "SMART" goals.

The Folly Of Rebranding Feedback - Part 2 Dec 18, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on rebranding feedback.

The Folly Of Rebranding Feedback - Part 1 Dec 11, 2023

A WSJ article says the word “feedback” is too stressful for some, and recommends calling it something else. We disagree.

Effective Executive/Efficient Assistant - Part 3 - 2023 Dec 04, 2023

Part 3 of our guidance on working with an administrative assistant, updated for remote, hybrid, and shared assistants.

Effective Executive/Efficient Assistant - Part 2 - 2023 Nov 27, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on working with an administrative assistant, updated for remote, hybrid, and shared assistants.

Effective Executive/Efficient Assistant - Part 1 - 2023 Nov 20, 2023

Part 1 of our guidance on working with an administrative assistant, updated for remote, hybrid, and shared assistants.

Preparing Performance Reviews - Part 2 - HOF 2023 Nov 13, 2023

It's the end of the year. Most managers we know are thinking about the holidays... and annual reviews. After years of managing, training and consulting, we've concluded this is one of the most poorly managed and implemented processes we're aware of. It's not hard to do, but for plenty of (bad) reasons, managers just don't handle this responsibility well. For those few who do, it's an enormous competitive advantage.

Preparing Performance Reviews - Part 1 - HOF 2023 Nov 06, 2023

It's the end of the year. Most managers we know are thinking about the holidays... and annual reviews. After years of managing, training and consulting, we've concluded this is one of the most poorly managed and implemented processes we're aware of. It's not hard to do, but for plenty of (bad) reasons, managers just don't handle this responsibility well. For those few who do, it's an enormous competitive advantage.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 10 Oct 30, 2023

Part 10 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 9 Oct 23, 2023

Part 9 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 8 Oct 16, 2023

Part 8 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 7 Oct 09, 2023

Part 7 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 6 Oct 02, 2023

Part 6 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 5 Sep 25, 2023

Part 5 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 4 Sep 18, 2023

Part 4 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 3 Sep 11, 2023

Part 3 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 2 Sep 04, 2023

Part 2 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter 3 - The Questions - Part 1 Aug 28, 2023

Part 1 of our Manager Tools guidance on how to action Engagement Survey results question by question.

"It's Not My Fault" Aug 21, 2023

Many directs' common response to negative feedback is to say, "It's not my fault." It's understandable, it's self protective, but it also completely misses the mark of the purpose of feedback. Here's how to handle it.

Feedback Is Insurance Aug 14, 2023

Almost all managers are scared about giving feedback. But there's a reason to be positive about it: it's just like buying insurance.

The Secrets of a Great Handshake - 2023 Aug 07, 2023

Our guidance on having a great handshake.

Don't Throw A Blanket Over Your Team Jul 31, 2023

Sometimes it's easier to mention to everyone on your team when one member of your team messes up. But this is what lazy, ineffective managers do.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter Two - Response And Conflicts Jul 24, 2023

Now that you've gotten your engagement survey results back, how do you respond? In this guidance, we take an actual engagement survey, question by question, and show you how to respond to a low score on that question.

Business Travel - Packing - Part 2 - 2023 Jul 17, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on packing for a business trip.

Business Travel - Packing - Part 1 - 2023 Jul 10, 2023

Part 1 of our guidance on packing for a business trip.

How To Action Engagement Survey Results - Chapter One - Dimensions Jul 03, 2023

Now that you've gotten your engagement survey results back, how do you respond? In this guidance, we take an actual engagement survey, question by question, and show you how to respond to a low score on that question.

How To Handle Body Odor - Part 2 - 2023 Jun 26, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on how to handle body odor.

How To Handle Body Odor - Part 1 - 2023 Jun 19, 2023

Part 1 of our guidance on how to handle body odor.

Culture Chapter 2 - Core Behaviors - Part 2 Jun 12, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on culture core behaviors.

Culture Chapter 2 - Core Behaviors - Part 1 Jun 05, 2023

Part 1 of our guidance on culture core behaviors.

How to Write a Thank You Note - 2023 May 29, 2023

Our guidance on thank you notes.

How To Master Your Response To Your Engagement Survey - Part 5 May 22, 2023

Part 5 our guidance on Engagement Surveys.

How To Master Your Response To Your Engagement Survey - Part 4 May 15, 2023

Part 4 our guidance on Engagement Surveys.

How To Master Your Response To Your Engagement Survey - Part 3 May 08, 2023

Part 3 our guidance on Engagement Surveys.

How To Master Your Response To Your Engagement Survey - Part 2 May 01, 2023

Part 2 our guidance on Engagement Surveys.

How To Master Your Response To Your Engagement Survey - Part 1 Apr 24, 2023

Part 1 our guidance on Engagement Surveys.

Behavioral Effectiveness and MTDISC - Example 1 - Part 2 Apr 17, 2023

Part 2 of our MTDISC behavioral effectiveness example one.

Behavioral Effectiveness and MTDISC - Example 1 - Part 1 Apr 10, 2023

Part 1 of our MTDISC behavioral effectiveness example one.

You Don't Deserve a Promotion Apr 03, 2023

You Don't Deserve a Promotion

Developing Professionals - Chapter 1 - Housekeeping Mar 27, 2023

There are rules for how to conduct oneself professionally. It's part of a manager's job to teach them to our employees.

How To Lay Off A Direct - Part 4 Mar 20, 2023

Part 4 of our guidance on how to prepare for and communicate a layoff effectively and compassionately.

How To Lay Off A Direct - Part 3 Mar 13, 2023

Part 3 of our guidance on how to prepare for and communicate a layoff effectively and compassionately.

How To Lay Off A Direct - Part 2 Mar 06, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on how to prepare for and communicate a layoff effectively and compassionately.

How To Lay Off A Direct - Part 1 Feb 27, 2023

Part 1 of our guidance on how to prepare for and communicate a layoff effectively and compassionately.

Culture Chapter 1 - Culture Is Behavior Feb 20, 2023

Culture is an often discussed topic in management and leadership circles. But culture is not what most managers and leaders think.

The Big 4 of Performance Communications - Part 3 Feb 13, 2023

Part 3 of our guidance on the big 4 of performance communications.

The Big 4 of Performance Communications - Part 2 Feb 06, 2023

Part 2 of our guidance on the big 4 of performance communications.

The Big 4 of Performance Communications - Part 1 Jan 30, 2023

Part 1 of our guidance on the big 4 of performance communications.

Never Believe The First Report From The Front Jan 23, 2023

You're going to get a lot of input as a manager. There are all kinds of reasons for this, but the answer is almost always the same: the first thing to do is nothing.

Hiring Is Not An HR Process - Chapter 2 - Part 3 Jan 16, 2023

Part 3 of our chapter two guidance on hiring is not an HR process.

Hiring Is Not An HR Process - Chapter 2 - Part 2 Jan 09, 2023

Part 2 of our chapter two guidance on hiring is not an HR process.

Hiring Is Not An HR Process - Chapter 2 - Part 1 Jan 02, 2023

Part 1 of our chapter two guidance on hiring is not an HR process.

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2022 Dec 26, 2022

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2022 Dec 19, 2022

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to start setting annual goals, and why we do not like "SMART" goals.

The Manager Tools Interview Creation Tool Dec 12, 2022

The Manager Tools Interview Creation Tool will make you a better interviewer, and teach your team how to interview.

The Effective Manager Has a Playbook - Part 3 Dec 05, 2022

Part 3 of our guidance on the manager playbook.

Delivering The Performance Review - HOF 2022 Nov 28, 2022

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2022 Nov 21, 2022

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

The Effective Manager Has a Playbook - Part 2 Nov 14, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on the manager playbook.

The Effective Manager Has a Playbook - Part 1 Nov 07, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance on the manager playbook.

Good Lieutenants Make Good Captains - Chapter 1 - Part 2 Oct 24, 2022

Part 2 of our chapter one guidance on improving your chances of being promoted by being a good lieutenant.

Good Lieutenants Make Good Captains - Chapter 2 - The Trinity Oct 31, 2022

Our chapter two guidance on improving your chances of being promoted by being a good lieutenant.

Good Lieutenants Make Good Captains - Chapter 1 - Part 1 Oct 17, 2022

Part 1 of our chapter one guidance on improving your chances of being promoted by being a good lieutenant.

Project Management - Reporting - Chapter One - Part 2 Oct 10, 2022

Part 2 of our chapter one guidance on project management reporting.

Project Management - Reporting - Chapter One - Part 1 Oct 03, 2022

Part 1 of our chapter one guidance on project management reporting.

Winning The Feedback "Argument" Sep 26, 2022

Too many managers give negative feedback by trying to win an argument about what happened. It never works.

My Directs Aren't Addressing My Agenda in One On Ones Sep 19, 2022

Managers and Directs often have different agendas in our One On Ones. Here's what to do about it.

The Three Levels of Presentation Mastery Sep 12, 2022

Everybody thinks content knowledge is what makes for a good presenter. They're wrong, and that's why most of them stink as presenters. Especially trainers: ugh.

The Kernel of Strategy - Part 2 (MT) Sep 05, 2022

Part 2 of our interview with Richard Rumelt, strategy professor at UCLA Anderson and author of Good Strategy/Bad Strategy.

The Kernel of Strategy - Part 1 (MT) Aug 29, 2022

Part 1 of our interview with Richard Rumelt, strategy professor at UCLA Anderson and author of Good Strategy/Bad Strategy.

Behavior is What Matters (MT) Aug 22, 2022

This cast describes how and why behavior is the primary focus of an effective professional and/or manager.

DISC Overview (MT) Aug 15, 2022

Our overview of DISC.

2022 Recruitment Update - Part 2 (MT) Aug 08, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance for the 2022 employment market.

2022 Recruitment Update - Part 1 (MT) Aug 01, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance for the 2022 employment market.

Special Cast - Succession Planning Jul 25, 2022

In this cast, Mark and Mike talk about their plans for the future of Manager Tools.

How to Prewire a Meeting - HOF 2022 Jul 18, 2022

Our Hall of Fame guidance on preparing for meetings or presentations where you need to persuade.

The Horstman Curve Jul 11, 2022

If you're trying to change things - and you should be - you're going to experience the Horstman Curve. So you ought to know what it is.

The Juggling Koan - HOF 2022 Jul 04, 2022

Our Hall of Fame guidance on our first ever management koan.

Giving Feedback To Remote Directs - Part 3 Jun 27, 2022

Part 3 of our guidance on giving feedback to remote directs.

Giving Feedback To Remote Directs - Part 2 Jun 20, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on giving feedback to remote directs.

Giving Feedback To Remote Directs - Part 1 Jun 13, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance on giving feedback to remote directs.

Performance Reviews Are Not Feedback - Part 2 Jun 06, 2022

Part 2 of our response to a recent WSJ article that said annual reviews are a terrible way to evaluate employees.

Performance Reviews Are Not Feedback - Part 1 May 30, 2022

Part 1 of our response to a recent WSJ article that said annual reviews are a terrible way to evaluate employees.

Interview With a Talent Manager May 23, 2022

Our interview with a member of the Manager Tools community to help you understand as a manager, or potentially as an executive, about the kind of relationship you need to have with some of the people who make a difference in your organization and your career.

MTDISC Behavior Change Template - Part 2 May 16, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on using MTDISC to change your behavior.

MTDISC Behavior Change Template - Part 1 May 09, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance on using MTDISC to change your behavior.

How To Roll Out MTDISC To Your Team - Part 2 May 02, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on how to roll out the MTDISC Behavioral Instrument to your team.

How To Roll Out MTDISC To Your Team - Part 1 Apr 25, 2022

This guidance describes how to roll out the MTDISC Behavioral Instrument to your team.

Maggie Tucker Interview Apr 18, 2022

Our interview with Maggie Tucker, marketing executive and co-host of the friends on FIRE podcast.

Rules For Directors - Chapter 1 - Earning Trust (MT Version) Apr 11, 2022

Our chapter one guidance on Rules For Directors: Earning Trust.

The War Room - Part 2 (MT) Apr 04, 2022

Part 2 of the executive "War Room" experiences of Trevor Woods, Chief Information Officer, University of Sydney.

The War Room - Part 1 (MT) Mar 28, 2022

Part 1 of the executive "War Room" experiences of Trevor Woods, Chief Information Officer, University of Sydney.

MTDISC Launch Mar 21, 2022

We have launched our own DISC Profile: MTDISC. Here's what it is, why we did it, and what its benefits are.

The Previous Boss Rule - Part 2 Mar 14, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on "The Previous Boss Rule".

The Previous Boss Rule - Part 1 Mar 07, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance on "The Previous Boss Rule".

Managerial Economics 101, 102 and 103: Reporting, Delegation, and Coaching - Part 2 Feb 28, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on Managerial Economics.

Managerial Economics 101, 102 and 103: Reporting, Delegation, and Coaching - Part 1 Feb 21, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance on Managerial Economics.

Top Interviewer Mistakes - Chapter 1 Feb 14, 2022

The average manager is a terrible interviewer. In this series, we cover the most frequent and egregious mistakes, and how to correct them.

Deadlines Are Commitments Feb 07, 2022

When most people miss a deadline, they prove they don't understand them.

My Feelings Are Hurt - Part 2 Jan 31, 2022

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do when someone claims their feelings are hurt by someone else.

My Feelings Are Hurt - Part 1 Jan 24, 2022

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do when someone claims their feelings are hurt by someone else.

Politics 101 - Chapter 7 - Compromise Jan 17, 2022

Politics are necessary, and that means the effective manager learns how to compromise. Here are some simple rules.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Family First - Part 2 Jan 10, 2022

Part 2 of the "family first" chapter of our continuing series on what to communicate to new directs.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Family First - Part 1 Jan 03, 2022

Part 1 of the "family first" chapter of our continuing series on what to communicate to new directs.

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2021 Dec 27, 2021

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2021 Dec 20, 2021

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to start setting annual goals, and why we do not like "SMART" goals.

Hiring Is NOT An HR Process - Chapter 1 Dec 13, 2021

Everybody thinks HR controls the hiring process. They don't.

Management Vs. Leadership - Army Vs. Navy Dec 06, 2021

In this special edition, Mark discusses management versus leadership with David Wallace, the Deputy Director of Leadership Eduction and Development at the United States Naval Academy.

Delivering The Performance Review - HOF 2021 Nov 29, 2021

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2021 Nov 22, 2021

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

The Basics Of Measures - Chapter 1 Nov 15, 2021

Our guidance on the rules for measuring.

When You Are "Required" To Do Panel Interviews - Part 2 Nov 08, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do if you are required to conduct panel interviews.

When You Are "Required" To Do Panel Interviews - Part 1 Nov 01, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do if you are required to conduct panel interviews.

Hybrid Office Meetings Oct 25, 2021

How to make your meetings as effective as possible in a hybrid office.

One On Ones In a Hybrid Office Environment Oct 18, 2021

Continuing your Manager Tools One On Ones (MTO3's) in a hybrid office environment.

Back To The Office Oct 11, 2021

Here's what your managerial responsibilities are when your company brings its office workers back to the office.

Coaching Is Self Development - Part 2 Oct 04, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on coaching is self-development. Managers play an important role, and managers can't make it happen without a willing direct.

Coaching Is Self Development - Part 1 Sep 27, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on coaching is self-development. Managers play an important role, and managers can't make it happen without a willing direct.

Performance Conversations Don't Lead To Career Conversations Sep 20, 2021

Performance conversations and career conversations are connected, but also completely different.

The Manager And The Vaccine Sep 13, 2021

Managers play a big role in vaccinations. It's just not what many think it is.

How To Train Your People - Chapter One - Introductions - Part 2 Sep 06, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance for how managers introduce training they send their people to.

How To Train Your People - Chapter One - Introductions - Part 1 Aug 30, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance for how managers introduce training they send their people to.

2021 Recruitment Update - Part 2 (MT) Aug 23, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance for the 2021 employment market.

2021 Recruitment Update - Part 1 (MT) Aug 16, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance for the 2021 employment market.

The Middleman Test Chapter 2 - Feedback Aug 09, 2021

A lot of managers implement MTO3's and quickly swear by them. But lots of managers mistakenly talk themselves out of giving feedback. Here's one way to look at it.

Never O'Clock Chapter One Aug 02, 2021

Never O'Clock Chapter One

The 95% Solution - Part 2 Jul 26, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on how to get more time to focus on your priorities.

The 95% Solution - Part 1 Jul 19, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on how to get more time to focus on your priorities.

Exploit Your Wiggle Room - Part 2 Jul 12, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance for managers who are hesitant to make changes.

Exploit Your Wiggle Room - Part 1 Jul 05, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance for managers who are hesitant to make changes.

The Sweet 16 Podcast Jun 28, 2021

On our 16th Anniversary show, we talk about our origins and what's to come.

Why Experienced Directs Need One On Ones Jun 21, 2021

Here's what to say to experienced directs who don't want weekly One On Ones.

Communicating In Advance of A Miss - Part 2 Jun 14, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on how to communicate prior to missing a deadline.

Communicating In Advance of A Miss - Part 1 Jun 07, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on how to communicate prior to missing a deadline.

Trinity Pushback - One On Ones - Why Weekly? - Part 2 May 31, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on what to tell directs who want to have One On Ones less often than weekly.

Trinity Pushback - One On Ones - Why Weekly? - Part 1 May 24, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on what to tell directs who want to have One On Ones less often than weekly.

Meetings: Anything Else? May 17, 2021

The common way to end meeting discussions, "Is there anything else?" is ineffective.

Effective Meetings - Part 3 - HOF 2021 May 10, 2021

Part 3 of our Hall Of Fame guidance on effective meetings.

Effective Meetings - Part 2 - HOF 2021 May 03, 2021

Part 2 of our Hall Of Fame guidance on effective meetings.

Effective Meetings - Part 1 - HOF 2021 Apr 26, 2021

Part 1 of our Hall Of Fame guidance on effective meetings.

The Manager Tools Data - Feedback - Part 5 Apr 19, 2021

Part 5 of our review of the data behind our guidance on feedback, which relies on tests we have run over the past nearly 30 years.

The Manager Tools Data - Feedback - Part 4 Apr 12, 2021

Part 4 of our review of the data behind our guidance on feedback, which relies on tests we have run over the past nearly 30 years.

The Manager Tools Data - Feedback - Part 3 Apr 05, 2021

Part 3 of our review of the data behind our guidance on feedback, which relies on tests we have run over the past nearly 30 years.

The Manager Tools Data - Feedback - Part 2 Mar 29, 2021

Part 2 of our review of the data behind our guidance on feedback, which relies on tests we have run over the past nearly 30 years.

The Manager Tools Data - Feedback - Part 1 Mar 22, 2021

Part 1 of our review of the data behind our guidance on feedback, which relies on tests we have run over the past nearly 30 years.

Feedback 'Dialog' Is Stupid Guidance - Part 4 Mar 15, 2021

Part 4 of our guidance on feedback dialog.

Feedback 'Dialog' Is Stupid Guidance - Part 3 Mar 08, 2021

Part 3 of our guidance on feedback dialog.

Feedback 'Dialog' Is Stupid Guidance - Part 2 Mar 01, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on feedback dialog.

Feedback 'Dialog' Is Stupid Guidance - Part 1 Feb 22, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on feedback dialog.

Zero Week Feb 15, 2021

For any project or initiative you're starting, announce it to your team before you start. Announce it during Zero Week.

How To Escalate - Part 3 Feb 08, 2021

Part 3 of our guidance on escalation.

How To Escalate - Part 2 Feb 01, 2021

Part 2 of our guidance on escalation.

How To Escalate - Part 1 Jan 25, 2021

Part 1 of our guidance on escalation.

The Aunt Trap Jan 18, 2021

When your boss's peer tasks you, or requires work from you, we call that the The Aunt Trap. It used to be The Uncle Trap, but we modernized the reference.

Zero-Based Reporting Jan 11, 2021

If you're looking for efficiencies, cut out some of the reporting nobody reads anyway. Use Zero-Based Reporting.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - HOF Jan 04, 2021

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2020 Dec 28, 2020

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2020 Dec 21, 2020

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to start setting annual goals, and why we do not like "SMART" goals.

When a Direct Says No Repeatedly To Feedback - Part 4 Dec 14, 2020

Part 4 of our guidance on what to do if a direct repeatedly says no to feedback.

When a Direct Says No Repeatedly To Feedback - Part 3 Dec 07, 2020

Part 3 of our guidance on what to do if a direct repeatedly says no to feedback.

Delivering The Performance Review - HOF 2020 Nov 30, 2020

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2020 Nov 23, 2020

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

When a Direct Says No Repeatedly To Feedback - Part 2 Nov 16, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do if a direct repeatedly says no to feedback.

When a Direct Says No Repeatedly To Feedback - Part 1 Nov 09, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do if a direct repeatedly says no to feedback.

Feedback: When Yes Means No - Part 2 Nov 02, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do when a direct says yes to feedback, but you can tell they don't mean it.

Feedback: When Yes Means No - Part 1 Oct 26, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do when a direct says yes to feedback, but you can tell they don't mean it.

Decisions, Not Choices - Part 2 Oct 19, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on decisions, not choices.

Decisions, Not Choices - Part 1 Oct 12, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on decisions, not choices.

Creating Organizational Hiring Criteria - Part 3 Oct 05, 2020

Part 3 of our guidance on creating organizational hiring criteria. There's more to creating great questions for interviews. You've got to know what and who you want, and how to evaluate answers.

Creating Organizational Hiring Criteria - Part 2 Sep 28, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on creating organizational hiring criteria. There's more to creating great questions for interviews. You've got to know what and who you want, and how to evaluate answers.

Creating Organizational Hiring Criteria - Part 1 Sep 21, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on creating organizational hiring criteria. There's more to creating great questions for interviews. You've got to know what and who you want, and how to evaluate answers.

After You Get Your Goals - Part 3 Sep 14, 2020

Part 3 of our guidance on what to do after you get your goals from your boss or your org.

After You Get Your Goals - Part 2 Sep 07, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do after you get your goals from your boss or your org.

After You Get Your Goals - Part 1 Aug 31, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do after you get your goals from your boss or your org.

Make Your Case To a Network Relationship Aug 24, 2020

You've kept your network warm by staying in touch. If you see an opportunity through them, reach out.

The Weekly Thank You Aug 17, 2020

Too many of us managers think that "someone just doing their jobs" isn't worthy of praise, or positive feedback, or even just a simple thanks. We're wrong. Thanks matter.

Top Ten Hiring Mistakes - Mistake #10 - Being Surprised - Part 2 Aug 10, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on number ten of the top ten hiring mistakes: Being Surprised.

Top Ten Hiring Mistakes - Mistake #10 - Being Surprised Aug 03, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on number ten of the top ten hiring mistakes: Being Surprised.

The Myth of the Feedback Myth - Part 3 Jul 27, 2020

Part 3 of our guidance on performance communication between bosses and directs that has come under attack in the past couple of years. Some say performance reviews don't work. Some say delivering performance communications doesn't work. They're completely wrong.

The Myth of the Feedback Myth - Part 2 Jul 20, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on performance communication between bosses and directs that has come under attack in the past couple of years. Some say performance reviews don't work. Some say delivering performance communications doesn't work. They're completely wrong.

The Myth of the Feedback Myth - Part 1 Jul 13, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on performance communication between bosses and directs that has come under attack in the past couple of years. Some say performance reviews don't work. Some say delivering performance communications doesn't work. They're completely wrong.

Interviewing on Zoom Jul 06, 2020

Lots of Interviews are being conducted via Zoom. Here's how.

The 15th Anniversary Show Jun 29, 2020

On our 15th Anniversary show, we review some brief history of Manager Tools, and talk about our new license promotion honoring our initial offering.

Internal Talent Markets - Chapter 1 - Free Agency Jun 22, 2020

Internal Talent Markets should be nearly frictionless. That starts with how each manager communicates the internal to our directs.

Presenting In Zoom - Part 2 Jun 15, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance about how to present or train on Zoom.

Presenting In Zoom - Part 1 Jun 08, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance about how to present or train on Zoom.

Flavor Of The Month Pushback - Part 2 Jun 01, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on flavor of the month pushback.

Flavor Of The Month Pushback - Part 1 May 25, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on flavor of the month pushback.

Don't Do Skip Level One On Ones May 18, 2020

A lot of managers want to do One On Ones with their directs' directs, also known as skips. This is a bad idea.

COVID: No Dropping Dimes - Part 2 May 12, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance recommending NOT announcing a colleague’s failure without a courtesy notification.

COVID: No Dropping Dimes - Part 1 May 11, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance recommending NOT announcing a colleague’s failure without a courtesy notification.

COVID: How To Be Ready For A Hiring Market Upturn - Part 2 May 04, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on how to prepare for the coming hiring market upturn.

COVID: How To Be Ready For A Hiring Market Upturn - Part 1 May 03, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on how to prepare for the coming hiring market upturn.

COVID: Smart Interviewing In A Downturn May 02, 2020

This cast describes how to interview effectively during a downturn, particularly for difficult to fill positions.

COVID: Bench Development in a Downturn May 01, 2020

This cast discusses a way to build your recruiting "bench" during market downturns.

COVID: Asking Your Network For An Opportunity Apr 30, 2020

This cast helps you word your request to your network for help with looking for a new opportunity.

COVID: Handling Exit Interviews Apr 29, 2020

This cast explains how to handle exit interviews.

COVID: Systematic Career Documentation - Part 2 Apr 28, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on how to create and use a Career Management Document as a key part of your career management system.

COVID: Systematic Career Documentation - Part 1 Apr 27, 2020

COVID: Systematic Career Documentation - Part 1

COVID: Effective Layoff Announcement Response Apr 26, 2020

This cast explains how to respond to the announcement of impending layoffs at your firm.

COVID: Layoff Signs And What To Do About Them - Part 2 Apr 25, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on the signs to look out for that indicate layoffs are coming.

COVID: Layoff Signs And What To Do About Them - Part 1 Apr 24, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on the signs to look out for that indicate layoffs are coming.

COVID: An Especially Important Relationship In A Downturn Apr 23, 2020

This cast explains how to improve an especially important relationship during economic downturns: your boss's peers.

COVID: The Downturn Rite of Passage Apr 22, 2020

This cast describes the reasons why leaving your company or industry in a downturn CAN be a bad idea, and recommends options to consider in those situations.

COVID: Fighting The Downturn Silence Apr 20, 2020

This cast describes how to combat the normal tendency of directs to communicate LESS during a downturn.

COVID: Compassionate Layoffs? Apr 06, 2020

A rerelease of our guidance on how to conduct layoffs efficiently, with candor and compassion, which addresses problems related to headcount and budget reductions that you may now be facing as a manager because of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Manager Tools Internal Pandemic Response - Part 3 Apr 01, 2020

Part 3 of our guidance related to how we at Manager Tools addressed the COVID pandemic, and the coming dangerous economic aftermath.

Manager Tools Internal Pandemic Response - Part 2 Mar 31, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance related to how we at Manager Tools addressed the COVID pandemic, and the coming dangerous economic aftermath.

Manager Tools Internal Pandemic Response - Part 1 Mar 30, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance related to how we at Manager Tools addressed the COVID pandemic, and the coming dangerous economic aftermath.

Pandemic Guidance Continued Mar 23, 2020

We continue our guidance about managing in the time of COVID-19.

Managing During a Pandemic - The COVID-19 Cast - Part 2 Mar 17, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on managing during a pandemic, such as COVID-19 (Coronavirus), or a similar international crisis.

Managing During a Pandemic - The COVID-19 Cast - Part 1 Mar 16, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on managing during a pandemic, such as COVID-19 (Coronavirus), or a similar international crisis.

Coronavirus Guidance - The Steel Cage Death Match Meeting - Part 2 Mar 13, 2020

A rerelease of part 2 of our guidance on preparing for a staffing decision meeting, which addresses problems related to headcount and budget reductions that you may now be facing as a professional or manager because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - The Steel Cage Death Match Meeting - Part 1 Mar 12, 2020

A rerelease of part 1 of our guidance on preparing for a staffing decision meeting, which addresses problems related to headcount and budget reductions that you may now be facing as a professional or manager because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Race, Don't Chase - Part 2 Mar 11, 2020

A rerelease of part 2 of our guidance on budget management in a downturn, which addresses problems related to headcount and budget reductions that you may now be facing as a professional or manager because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Race, Don't Chase - Part 1 Mar 10, 2020

Coronavirus Guidance - Race, Don't Chase - Part 1

Coronavirus Guidance - Working Remotely - Chapter 3 - Contribution To The Team Mar 09, 2020

A rerelease of of our guidance on contributing to the team when working remotely, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Working Remotely - Chapter 1 - Get Results Mar 08, 2020

A rerelease of of our guidance on getting results when working remotely, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Distant Manager Basics - For Directs - Part 2 Mar 07, 2020

A rerelease of part 2 of our guidance on how to work with a remotely located manager, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Distant Manager Basics - For Directs - Part 1 Mar 06, 2020

A rerelease of part 1 of our guidance on how to work with a remotely located manager, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Distant Manager Basics - Part 2 Mar 05, 2020

A rerelease of part 2 of our guidance on managing distant team members, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Distant Manager Basics - Part 1 Mar 04, 2020

A rerelease of part 1 of our guidance on managing distant team members, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Coronavirus Guidance - Phone One on Ones Mar 03, 2020

A rerelease of our guidance on phone One on Ones, which addresses problems related to working from home and managing remote employees that you may now be facing because of coronavirus.

Work-Life Balance: The Yellow Peanut M&M Analogy Mar 02, 2020

The common wisdom about work-family balance is wrong. We're asking the wrong question.

Training Is Not The Answer Feb 24, 2020

Training is the go-to answer for skill development. But training isn't really what you want.

The Interview Results Capture Meeting - HOF 2020 Feb 17, 2020

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on capturing interview results in a fast and simple meeting.

Rules of Small Project Management - Chapter 1 - Deliverables Basics - Part 2 Feb 10, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on small project management deliverables basics.

Rules of Small Project Management - Chapter 1 - Deliverables Basics - Part 1 Feb 03, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance on small project management deliverables basics.

Authenticity And The Manager Tools Trinity - Part 2 Jan 27, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance for managers and directs expressing concern that Manager Tools' Trinity guidance is formulaic, and not authentic. Here's how to think through those concerns, and/or address them from a colleague.

Authenticity And The Manager Tools Trinity - Part 1 Jan 20, 2020

Part 1 of our guidance for managers and directs expressing concern that Manager Tools' Trinity guidance is formulaic, and not authentic. Here's how to think through those concerns, and/or address them from a colleague.

Manager Tools and Race and Gender Jan 13, 2020

The data on how race and gender affect behaviors and outcomes for the Manager Tools trinity.

The Effective Hiring Manager Missing Chapters - Reducing Interviewee Stress - Part 2 Jan 06, 2020

Part 2 of our guidance on reducing interviewee stress. Adding more stress to a candidate reduces the effectiveness of your interview process. Don't do it.

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2019 Dec 30, 2019

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2019 Dec 23, 2019

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to start setting annual goals, and why we do not like "SMART" goals.

The Effective Hiring Manager Missing Chapters - Reducing Interviewee Stress - Part 1 Dec 16, 2019

Part 1 of our guidance on reducing interviewee stress. Adding more stress to a candidate reduces the effectiveness of your interview process. Don't do it.

Simple Interviewer Training - Part 2 - HOF 2019 Dec 09, 2019

Part 2 of our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to teach directs how to interview candidates for hiring.

Simple Interviewer Training - Part 1 - HOF 2019 Dec 02, 2019

Part 1 of our Hall Of Fame guidance on how to teach directs how to interview candidates for hiring.

Delivering The Performance Review - HOF 2019 Nov 25, 2019

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2019 Nov 18, 2019

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

Solution to a Stalled Technical Career - HOF 2019 Nov 11, 2019

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on the secret to reinvigorating a stalled technical career.

The Effective Hiring Manager Missing Chapters - Reasons To Say No #1 - Unprepared Nov 04, 2019

There are some rarely forgivable interviewing mistakes that justify ruling a candidate out even when there are good reasons to hire them. Lack of preparation is one of them.

M Conference Learnings and Highlights Oct 28, 2019

Mark and Mike talk about what happened at the Manager Tools 2019 inaugural M Conference.

Negative Feedback Pushback Examples - Part 2 Oct 21, 2019

Part 2 of our examples of how to respond to different kinds of pushback to feedback.

How To Turn Down a Job Candidate - HOF 2019 Oct 14, 2019

Our Hall Of Fame guidance on effective and ineffective ways to notify a candidate you’ve interviewed that you won’t be offering them.

Negative Feedback Pushback Examples - Part 1 Oct 07, 2019

Part 1 of our examples of how to respond to different kinds of pushback to feedback.

Introducing The Effective Hiring Manager Book Sep 30, 2019

An interview with Mark Horstman about his new book, The Effective Hiring Manager.

Don't Use Consensus Sep 23, 2019

Using consensus as a decision making tool is a bad idea for managers.

Feedback Is Not A Personal Attack Sep 16, 2019

Feedback is about behavior. It's not a personal attack.

First Meeting New Direct Series: Support The Team Sep 09, 2019

New team members need guidance about your key issues early on. This is a continuation of our series about messages that shouldn't wait.

Meeting Leadership - 6 Rules - Part 3 Sep 02, 2019

Part 3 of our guidance on what leaders do to take their meetings to the next level.

Meeting Leadership - 6 Rules - Part 2 Aug 26, 2019

Part 2 of our guidance on what leaders do to take their meetings to the next level.

Meeting Leadership - 6 Rules - Part 1 Aug 19, 2019

Part 1 of our guidance on what leaders do to take their meetings to the next level.

Use A Warning Order Aug 12, 2019

Give your team advance knowledge of emergent changes with a Warning Order.

Soft One On Ones - Part 2 Aug 05, 2019

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do if you're forbidden from doing One On Ones.

Soft One On Ones - Part 1 Jul 29, 2019

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do if you're forbidden from doing One On Ones.

How to Make a Job Offer - Part 2 - HOF 2019 Jul 22, 2019

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on how to make a job offer to a candidate.

The M Conference Jul 15, 2019

The M Conference is our new in-person development opportunity, looking to your future in management.

How to Make a Job Offer - Part 1 - HOF 2019 Jul 08, 2019

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on how to make a job offer to a candidate.

Mistakes We've Made - Part 2 Jul 01, 2019

Part 2 of our 14th anniversary review of mistakes.

Mistakes We've Made - Part 1 Jun 24, 2019

Part 1 of our 14th anniversary review of mistakes.

How Do I Respond To "How Do I Get Promoted?" - Part 4 Jun 17, 2019

Part 4 of our guidance on what to do when directs ask how they can get promoted. Rather than get frustrated, give them a professional answer.

How Do I Respond To "How Do I Get Promoted?" - Part 3 Jun 10, 2019

Part 3 of our guidance on what to do when directs ask how they can get promoted. Rather than get frustrated, give them a professional answer.

How Do I Respond To "How Do I Get Promoted?" - Part 2 Jun 03, 2019

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do when directs ask how they can get promoted. Rather than get frustrated, give them a professional answer.

How Do I Respond To "How Do I Get Promoted?" - Part 1 May 27, 2019

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do when directs ask how they can get promoted. Rather than get frustrated, give them a professional answer.

One To One Interviews Are Safe - Part 2 May 20, 2019

Part 2 of our guidance on why one to one interviews aren't as risky as so many fear.

One To One Interviews Are Safe - Part 1 May 13, 2019

Part 1 of our guidance on why one to one interviews aren't as risky as so many fear.

Email Compendium - Part 4 May 06, 2019

Part 4 of our compendium of guidance on email.

Email Compendium - Part 3 Apr 29, 2019

Part 3 of our compendium of guidance on email.

Email Compendium - Part 2 Apr 22, 2019

Part 2 of our compendium of guidance on email.

Email Compendium - Part 1 Apr 15, 2019

Part 1 of our compendium of guidance on email.

When A Boss Asks For Candor - Part 2 Apr 08, 2019

Sometimes a new boss asks for "candor." In general, caution is warranted initially.

When A Boss Asks For Candor - Part 1 Apr 01, 2019

Sometimes a new boss asks for "candor." In general, caution is warranted initially.

Common One-On-One Mistakes - Chapter 2 - Not Following Through Mar 25, 2019

Two of the most common mistakes managers make with One-On-Ones is not following up on topics of conversations and not following through on their commitment to do them at all.

First Meeting With A New Direct Series - Overcommunicate Mar 18, 2019

When someone new joins your team, we recommend you communicate early about your key priorities. One of those must be communication.

You Did Not Demonstrate - HOF 2019 Mar 11, 2019

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to share shortcomings in evaluations like reviews and interviews.

Role Power Revisited - You Speak For The CEO - Part 2 Mar 04, 2019

Part 2 of our guidance where we don't recommend you use Role Power very often. But when you do, it's good to know it's more powerful than you realize.

Role Power Revisited - You Speak For The CEO - Part 1 Feb 24, 2019

Part 1 of our guidance where we don't recommend you use Role Power very often. But when you do, it's good to know it's more powerful than you realize.

How To Evaluate Interviewees - Chapter 1 - Use Of Names Feb 17, 2019

How important is a candidate's ability to use and remember names in an interview?

The Manager Tools Data - One-On-Ones - Part 4 Feb 10, 2019

Part 4 of our review of the data backing our guidance on One-On-Ones.

The Manager Tools Data - One-On-Ones - Part 3 Feb 03, 2019

Part 3 of our review of the data backing our guidance on One-On-Ones.

The Manager Tools Data - One-On-Ones - Part 2 Jan 27, 2019

Part 2 of our review of the data backing our guidance on One-On-Ones.

The Manager Tools Data - One-On-Ones - Part 1 Jan 20, 2019

Part 1 of our review of the data backing our guidance on One-On-Ones.

Should HR Do My Phone Screens Before I Interview? Jan 13, 2019

Human Resources often conducts phone screens of job opening candidates. Some times this is okay, but usually it's not.

Using RoadMap To Implement Coaching and Delegation Jan 06, 2019

Our guidance on how to use RoadMap to coach your team members and delegate to your directs.

The Interview Results Capture Meeting - HOF 2018 Dec 30, 2018

This Hall of Fame cast explains how to capture interview results in a fast and simple meeting.

Effective Hiring: Set The Bar High! - HOF 2018 Dec 23, 2018

This Hall of Fame cast shares our most important principle in The Manager Tools Effective Hiring Process: Set the Bar HIGH.

Trinity Pushback - Feedback Is Nitpicking - Part 2 Dec 16, 2018

Some folks push back against our feedback model because it's "nitpicking." It's not. Here's why.

Trinity Pushback - Feedback Is Nitpicking - Part 1 Dec 09, 2018

Some folks push back against our feedback model because it's "nitpicking." It's not. Here's why.

Is This Normal? Episode 3 - Part 2 Dec 02, 2018

If you've ever wondered whether what you're going through is normal, 'Is It Normal' will help you sort things out. Lots of us wonder if our experience is different enough from others that we should do something about it.

Is This Normal? Episode 3 - Part 1 Nov 25, 2018

If you've ever wondered whether what you're going through is normal, 'Is It Normal' will help you sort things out. Lots of us wonder if our experience is different enough from others that we should do something about it.

Delivering The Performance Review - HOF 2018 Nov 20, 2018

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2018 Nov 18, 2018

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

Hire Slow, Fire Fast Is Wrong - Part 2 Nov 11, 2018

'Hire Slow, Fire Fast' is catchy. And wrong.

Hire Slow, Fire Fast Is Wrong - Part 1 Nov 04, 2018

'Hire Slow, Fire Fast' is catchy. And wrong.

The Tyranny of Unpublished Processes - Part 2 Oct 28, 2018

Uncommunicated processes are tyranny. Full stop.

The Tyranny of Unpublished Processes - Part 1 Oct 21, 2018

Uncommunicated processes are tyranny. Full stop.

Case Study Interviews - Part 4 Oct 07, 2018

Part 4 of our overview of Case Study Interview techniques, questions, and preparation.

Case Study Interviews - Part 3 Sep 30, 2018

Part 3 of our overview of Case Study Interview techniques, questions, and preparation.

Case Study Interviews - Part 2 Sep 23, 2018

Part 2 of our overview of Case Study Interview techniques, questions, and preparation.

Case Study Interviews - Part 1 Sep 17, 2018

Part 1 of our overview of Case Study Interview techniques, questions, and preparation.

Inaugural MT Case Study Responses - and What Happened - Part 2 Sep 09, 2018

Part 2 of our responses to listeners' recommendations to the Inaugural MT Case Study, and reveal what actually happened.

Inaugural MT Case Study Responses - and What Happened - Part 1 Sep 02, 2018

We respond to listeners' recommendations to the Inaugural MT Case Study, and reveal what actually happened.

Case Studies and The Inaugural MT Interactive Case - Part 2 Aug 26, 2018

The Manager Tools Inaugural Interactive Case Study.

Case Studies and The Inaugural MT Interactive Case - Part 1 Aug 19, 2018

What are case studies? Taught in part with the Manager Tools Inaugural Interactive Case Study.

Politics 101 - Chapter 6 - Politics Are Just Relationships - Part 4 Aug 12, 2018

Part 4 of the the sixth chapter of our guidance on politics. Don't play politics. Build relationships. It's the same thing.

Politics 101 - Chapter 6 - Politics Are Just Relationships - Part 3 Aug 05, 2018

Part 3 of the the sixth chapter of our guidance on politics. Don't play politics. Build relationships. It's the same thing.

Politics 101 - Chapter 6 - Politics Are Just Relationships - Part 2 Jul 29, 2018

Part 2 of the the sixth chapter of our guidance on politics. Don't play politics. Build relationships. It's the same thing.

Politics 101 - Chapter 6 - Politics Are Just Relationships - Part 1 Jul 22, 2018

Part 1 of the the sixth chapter of our guidance on politics. Don't play politics. Build relationships. It's the same thing.

Technology in One On Ones Jul 15, 2018

Despite our guidance to not use your laptop to take notes in One On Ones, there are many other uses of technology that will improve your critical weekly meetings with each of your directs.

Horstman's Law of Uncertainty - HOF Jul 08, 2018

This Hall of Fame guidance describes what to say when you don't have an answer to a question, even when it's urgent.

Sexual Harassment Revisited - Chapter 1 - No Hugging Jul 01, 2018

If you're hugging your colleagues, you're running the risk of a sexual harassment claim.

Employee Retention - HOF Jun 24, 2018

Our Hall of Fame guidance on employee retention. The best managers we know do a great job of retention. As a matter of fact, because it goes to the future potential of the organization, retention is one of Mark's favorite delineators of management talent. Strategy gets done more effectively in places where retention is good.

The Manager Tools Onboarding Checklist - Part 2 Jun 17, 2018

The Manager Tools Onboarding Checklist. Every task necessary to help a new hire become effective as quickly as possible.

The Manager Tools Onboarding Checklist - Part 1 Jun 10, 2018

The Manager Tools Onboarding Checklist. Every task necessary to help a new hire become effective as quickly as possible.

Onboarding Chapter 1 - The Basics - Part 5 - Q and A Continued Jun 03, 2018

Your questions, our answers on what to do once you make a candidate an offer to turn them into a great team member.

Onboarding Chapter 1 - The Basics - Part 4 - Q and A May 27, 2018

Your questions, our answers on what to do once you make a candidate an offer to turn them into a great team member.

Onboarding Chapter 1 - The Basics - Part 3 May 20, 2018

What to do once you make a candidate an offer to turn them into a great team member. Chapter 1 is the basics, why to have a process.

Onboarding Chapter 1 - The Basics - Part 2 May 13, 2018

What to do once you make a candidate an offer to turn them into a great team member. Chapter 1 is the basics, why to have a process.

Onboarding Chapter 1 - The Basics - Part 1 May 06, 2018

What to do once you make a candidate an offer to turn them into a great team member. Part 1 is the basics, why to have a process.

Soft Coaching - Running Meetings - Part 2 Apr 29, 2018

Our guidance on how you can improve someone's performance without fully coaching them. We use the example of running a meeting to illustrate.

Soft Coaching - Running Meetings - Part 1 Apr 22, 2018

Our guidance on how you can improve someone's performance without fully coaching them. We use the example of running a meeting to illustrate.

Trinity Pushback - One On Ones - Creative People - Part 2 Apr 15, 2018

Sometimes managers don't want to do One On Ones. One of the reasons they give is, "I'm a creative person." Or, "I don't like step-by-step solutions." These reasons are weak, and you can overcome them easily.

Trinity Pushback - One On Ones - Creative People - Part 1 Apr 08, 2018

Sometimes managers don't want to do One On Ones. One of the reasons they give is,"I'm a creative person." Or, "I don't like step-by-step solutions." These reasons are weak, and you can overcome them easily.

The Three Types of Power (And One To Rule Them) - Part 4 Apr 01, 2018

Power is necessary for organizational change and success, even if some of us would rather call it influence. But what is it? And how can I get some? And some more? It's not as hard as it sounds.

The Three Types of Power (And One To Rule Them) - Part 3 Mar 25, 2018

Power is necessary for organizational change and success, even if some of us would rather call it influence. But what is it? And how can I get some? And some more? It's not as hard as it sounds.

The Three Types of Power (And One To Rule Them) - Part 2 Mar 18, 2018

Power is necessary for organizational change and success, even if some of us would rather call it influence. But what is it? And how can I get some? And some more? It's not as hard as it sounds.

The Three Types of Power (And One To Rule Them) - Part 1 Mar 11, 2018

Power is necessary for organizational change and success, even if some of us would rather call it influence. But what is it? And how can I get some? And some more? It's not as hard as it sounds.

How To Create A Simple Behavioral Interview Question - HOF Mar 04, 2018

Our Hall of Fame cast that describes how to create a simple behavioral interview question.

How To Train Your Organization - Chapter 1 - Who and When Feb 25, 2018

If you're an executive, you probably think training is for your organization, but not you. You're partially right, but mostly wrong.

Are Executives Managers? - Part 2 Feb 18, 2018

How come executives don't do all the stuff managers do? How come they don't attend training but expect managers to? There's a reason.

Are Executives Managers? - Part 1 Feb 11, 2018

How come executives don't do all the stuff managers do? How come they don't attend training but expect managers to? There's a reason.

Measuring Priorities Through Questions Feb 04, 2018

If you want to ensure the right things are getting done, one of the easiest things to do is start asking the right questions.

RoadMap For The Individual Manager Jan 28, 2018

RoadMap is the revolutionary new interactive app to help you become an effective manager. Here's what it is and how to use it.

The Manager Tools Performance Review System - Part 4 Jan 21, 2018

Part 4 of our guidance on a simple way to structure an entire performance review system for any organization.

The Manager Tools Performance Review System - Part 3 Jan 14, 2018

Part 3 of our guidance on a simple way to structure an entire performance review system for any organization.

The Manager Tools Performance Review System - Part 2 Jan 07, 2018

Part 2 of our guidance on a simple way to structure an entire performance review system for any organization.

The Basics of Calendar Management - HOF Dec 31, 2017

Our Hall of Fame guidance on the basics of calendar management.

How to Prewire a Meeting - HOF 2017 Dec 24, 2017

For the holidays, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts ... the Pre-wire. This cast describes a way to prepare for meetings or presentations where you need to persuade.

The Manager Tools Performance Review System - Part 1 Dec 17, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on a simple way to structure an entire performance review system for any organization.

Don't Get Rid of Your Performance Reviews - Part 4 Dec 10, 2017

Part 4 of our guidance regarding the trend among businesses to get rid of their performance review system. This is dumb. Don't do it.

Don't Get Rid of Your Performance Reviews - Part 3 Dec 03, 2017

Part 3 of our guidance regarding the trend among businesses to get rid of their performance review system. This is dumb. Don't do it.

Delivering The Performance Review - HOF 2017 Nov 29, 2017

Our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Preparing Performance Reviews - HOF 2017 Nov 26, 2017

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

Don't Get Rid of Your Performance Reviews - Part 2 Nov 19, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance regarding the trend among businesses to get rid of their performance review system. This is dumb. Don't do it.

Don't Get Rid of Your Performance Reviews - Part 1 Nov 12, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance regarding the trend among businesses to get rid of their performance review system. This is dumb. Don't do it.

The Manager Tools One-Page Performance Review - Part 2 Nov 05, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on creating and using a performance review form if your company doesn't have one.

The Manager Tools One-Page Performance Review - Part 1 Oct 29, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on creating and using a performance review form if your company doesn't have one.

A Different Feedback Model Question Oct 22, 2017

If you struggle with asking, "Can I give you some feedback?", there's another way.

You're Not a Psychologist - Part 2 Oct 15, 2017

A lot of managers try to psychoanalyze their directs. Don't bother. We're all terrible at it.

You're Not a Psychologist - Part 1 Oct 08, 2017

A lot of managers try to psychoanalyze their directs. Don't bother. We're all terrible at it.

Wade Foster Interview Oct 01, 2017

Our guest Wade Foster, CEO of Zapier, shares his experience with Manager Tools.

Behaviors To Improve Focus - Part 3 Sep 24, 2017

Part 3 of our guidance on how to stay focused on your priorities and get more done.

Behaviors To Improve Focus - Part 2 Sep 17, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on how to stay focused on your priorities and get more done.

Behaviors To Improve Focus - Part 1 Sep 10, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on how to stay focused on your priorities and get more done.

Rolling Out One On Ones - The Briefing Sep 03, 2017

How to brief your directs when you're starting One On Ones.

First Meeting With A New Direct - Results Aug 27, 2017

When someone new joins your team, we recommend you communicate early about your key priorities.

Resistant Directs In One On Ones - Chapter 2 - Part 2 Aug 20, 2017

Part 2 of our second chapter on directs resisting One On Ones.

Resistant Directs In One On Ones - Chapter 2 - Part 1 Aug 13, 2017

Part 1 of our second chapter on directs resisting One On Ones.

The Bridge Between Feedback And Coaching - Part 3 Aug 06, 2017

Part 3 of our guidance on how to guide or help a direct when feedback doesn't work and coaching isn't necessary.

The Bridge Between Feedback And Coaching - Part 2 Jul 30, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on how to guide or help a direct when feedback doesn't work and coaching isn't necessary.

The Bridge Between Feedback And Coaching - Part 1 Jul 23, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on how to guide or help a direct when feedback doesn't work and coaching isn't necessary.

What Do You Want To Do And Where Do You Want To Do It? Jul 16, 2017

How to qualify your ability to help someone during a job/career transition.

How To Evaluate Answers To The Weakness Question - Part 3 Jul 09, 2017

Part 3 of our guidance on asking and evaluating the weakness question when interviewing candidates.

How To Evaluate Answers To The Weakness Question - Part 2 Jul 02, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on asking and evaluating the weakness question when interviewing candidates.

How To Evaluate Answers To The Weakness Question - Part 1 Jun 25, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on asking and evaluating the weakness question when interviewing candidates.

My Direct Disagrees With Me Privately - Part 2 Jun 18, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do if your direct disagrees with you privately.

My Direct Disagrees With Me Privately - Part 1 Jun 11, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do if your direct disagrees with you privately.

Retaining Disgruntled Staff As a New Manager Jun 04, 2017

What to do as a new manager when you're in danger of losing staff who are critical to your team.

When NOT To Use Email - Part 2 May 28, 2017

Email is useful but much more narrowly than most managers think.

When NOT To Use Email - Part 1 May 21, 2017

Email is useful but much more narrowly than most managers think.

The Pinch Crunch Relationship Model May 14, 2017

How to maintain trusting relationships when things go wrong.

Executive Tools - Measuring Your Organization's One On Ones - Part 2 May 07, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on how to SIMPLY measure whether or not managers who work for you are doing One On Ones.

Executive Tools - Measuring Your Organization's One On Ones - Part 1 Apr 30, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on how to SIMPLY measure whether or not managers who work for you are doing One On Ones.

Manager Tools Middleman Test - Part 2 Apr 23, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on what you can do when a direct refuses or disagrees with a reasonable request: Use The Manager Tools Middleman Test.

Manager Tools Middleman Test - Part 1 Apr 16, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on what you can do when a direct refuses or disagrees with a reasonable request: Use The Manager Tools Middleman Test.

The Myth of the Working Manager Apr 09, 2017

If you think you're a "working manager", and that's harder somehow, you're wrong.

Secrets of a Great Handshake - HOF Apr 02, 2017

Our Hall of Fame guidance on how to give a great handshake.

Adding Headcount Basics Mar 26, 2017

Just because your people "are too busy" doesn't mean it's time to add more.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 5 Mar 19, 2017

Part 5 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 4 Mar 12, 2017

Part 4 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 3 Mar 05, 2017

Part 3 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 2 Feb 26, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 1 Feb 19, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work independently.

One On Ones After Conflict Feb 12, 2017

How to handle your One On One with your directs after you've had a disagreement with them, or a conflict.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 3 Feb 05, 2017

Part 3 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 2 Jan 29, 2017

Part 2 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 1 Jan 22, 2017

Part 1 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

The Written Review Scale - Less Absolute Value Jan 15, 2017

You can and often should deliver a different message verbally than your written comments on a performance review. The key is to moderate your written comments with "Less Absolute Value."

How to Run Your Staff Meeting - Part 2 - HOF Jan 08, 2017

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on running your staff meeting.

How to Run Your Staff Meeting - Part 1 - HOF Jan 01, 2017

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on running your staff meeting.

A Professional Sense of Humor - Part 2 Dec 25, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on what kind of jokes you can and can't tell as a manager and professional. And why.

A Professional Sense of Humor - Part 1 Dec 18, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on what kind of jokes you can and can't tell as a manager and professional. And why.

Is This Normal? Episode 2 Dec 11, 2016

Is This Normal? Episode 2

Special Edition - The Wall Street Journal Features Manager Tools Dec 07, 2016

In this bonus podcast, Mark comments on the recent Wall Street Journal article that featured Manager Tools.

Teach As If Teach Not Performance Communication Dec 04, 2016

How to provide some guidance or corrective input when feedback might be more than enough, or to ease a less experienced direct into a performance culture.

Delivering The Performance Review - Part 2 - HOF Nov 30, 2016

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Delivering The Performance Review - Part 1 - HOF Nov 27, 2016

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Performance Reviews - Part 2 - HOF Nov 23, 2016

Part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

Performance Reviews - Part 1 - HOF Nov 20, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 1).

Don't Vote! - How to Get Group Input on Decisions - Part 2 Nov 13, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on effective ways to get input for decisions in meetings.

Don't Vote! - How to Get Group Input on Decisions - Part 1 Nov 06, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on effective ways to get input for decisions in meetings.

No Surprises In Reviews Oct 30, 2016

It's unprofessional to deliver new information to a direct in a performance review.

Never Rank Candidates Oct 23, 2016

Don't rank candidates as you are interviewing, individually or collectively. It biases the hiring process.

Brainstorming - Part 1 - HOF Oct 16, 2016

In today's fast and flat world, ideas are becoming critical competitive advantages. Managers - and many others - need to be good at getting the most and best ideas from themselves and their teams. This cast tells you how.

The Two Reasons To Fire Someone Oct 09, 2016

There are two general reasons to consider firing someone. Only one of them is "job performance." The other is tearing down the team.

Trinity Frequently Asked Questions #1: Why Wait Three Weeks To Start? Oct 02, 2016

Perhaps the most frequently asked question at conferences about rolling out the tools in the Management Trinity is why we recommend waiting three weeks. Here's why.

Is This Normal? Sep 25, 2016

Our guidance regarding what is normal in professional and organizational life.

Eliminating Bad Attitudes - Part 1 Sep 18, 2016

How to define a direct's "bad attitude" in terms of behaviors, to encourage them to change them.

No Second Emails Sep 11, 2016

Too many of us follow an unanswered email with another email. That's the definition of insanity: doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Politics: Have Nothing Bad To Say Sep 04, 2016

How to handle the politically delicate moment when you're asked to talk about a difficult person or situation.

8 Positive Feedback Examples Aug 28, 2016

Most managers have too high a standard for giving positive feedback. Here are some simple examples.

Feedback on Status Reporting - Nothing is "Fine" Aug 21, 2016

The common response to questions about status is, "Fine." This isn't acceptable or effective.

Forgive First Mistakes When Interviewing Aug 14, 2016

Even though great interviewers are looking for reasons to say no doesn't mean they aren't forgiving of mistakes in interviews.

Meeting Distractions - Don't Wait To Give Feedback Aug 07, 2016

What to do when people are on their phones/laptops during meetings, or doing anything else counterproductive to the meeting.

No Panel Interviews Jul 31, 2016

One of the biggest mistakes in interviewing candidates is using panel interviews. Here's why.

Leading Change - Model And Measure - Part 2 Jul 24, 2016

Part 2 of our series on change efforts. If you want your organization to follow you in change efforts - whether it's rolling out the Trinity or anything else - you've got to do 2 things at a minimum: model the behavior, and measure it.

Leading Change - Model And Measure, Part 1 Jul 17, 2016

If you want your organization to follow you in change efforts - whether it's rolling out the Trinity or anything else - you've got to do 2 things at a minimum: model the behavior, and measure it.

The Effective Manager Book Promotion Jul 10, 2016

Never introduce a managerial change without first introducing that change. If you're going to make a change to how you manage your team, it works far better to tell them what you're doing in advance.

Brief Before You Change Jul 03, 2016

Never introduce a managerial change without first introducing that change. If you're going to make a change to how you manage your team, it works far better to tell them what you're doing in advance.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 6 Jun 26, 2016

Part 6 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 5 Jun 19, 2016

Part 5 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 4 Jun 12, 2016

Part 4 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 3 Jun 05, 2016

Part 3 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 2 May 30, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 1 May 23, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

The Foundations Of Presenting Mastery - Part 2 May 15, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on the foundations of presentation mastery.

The Foundations Of Presenting Mastery - Part 1 May 08, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on the foundations of presentation mastery.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - Part 3 May 01, 2016

Part 3 of our guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - Part 2 Apr 24, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - Part 1 Apr 17, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Effective Teleconferencing - Part 2 - HOF Apr 10, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on our recommendations for an effective teleconference meeting, or conference call.

Effective Teleconferencing - Part 1 - HOF Apr 03, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on our recommendations for an effective teleconference meeting, or conference call.

Feedback and the Shot Across the Bow - HOF Mar 27, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on feedback and the shot across the bow.

MT-2006-08-28 Managing During Mergers and Acquisitions - Part 2 Mar 20, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on mergers and acquisitions.

MT-2006-08-21 Managing During Mergers and Acquisitions - Part 1 Mar 13, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing part 1 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on mergers and acquisitions.

Being Told "No" To Feedback - Part 2 Mar 06, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do if your direct keeps saying no when you ask if they're open to feedback.

Being Told "No" To Feedback - Part 1 Feb 28, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do if your direct keeps saying no when you ask if they're open to feedback.

The Effective Manager Value Chain: Fixing Deliverables - Part 3 Feb 21, 2016

Part 3 of our guidance on how to transition from talking about ideas and plans and projects in a general way to talking about the specifics of getting the work done.

The Effective Manager Value Chain: Fixing Deliverables - Part 2 Feb 14, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on how to transition from talking about ideas and plans and projects in a general way to talking about the specifics of getting the work done.

The Effective Manager Value Chain: Fixing Deliverables - Part 1 Feb 07, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on how to transition from talking about ideas and plans and projects in a general way to talking about the specifics of getting the work done.

Simple Interviewer Training - Part 2 Jan 31, 2016

Part 2 of our guidance on how to teach directs how to interview candidates for hiring.

Simple Interviewer Training - Part 1 Jan 24, 2016

Part 1 of our guidance on how to teach directs how to interview candidates for hiring.

Feedback Grace Period Jan 17, 2016

Our guidance on how long to wait before giving negative feedback to a direct.

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 4 Jan 10, 2016

Part 4 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candidates to narrow the field even further. Here's how.

MT(2006) - Delivering The Performance Review - Part 2 Jan 03, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on on delivering a performance review (part 2).

MT(2006) - Delivering The Performance Review - Part 1 Jan 03, 2016

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on on delivering a performance review (part 1).

MT(2005) - Performance Reviews - Part 2 Dec 27, 2015

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 2).

MT(2005) - Performance Reviews - Part 1 Dec 27, 2015

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 1).

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 3 Dec 20, 2015

Part 3 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candidates to narrow the field even further. Here's how.

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 2 Dec 13, 2015

Part 2 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candidates to narrow the field even further. Here's how.

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 1 Dec 06, 2015

Part 1 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candidates to narrow the field even further. Here's how.

MT(2010) - Assign Work And Reporting Nov 29, 2015

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on assigning work and reporting.

I'm Working On - NOT Nov 22, 2015

When your directs tell you, "I'm working on X, and Y, and Z," it's often a sign that they lack detailed deliverables and deadlines. Here's how to encourage them to deliver.

No Surprises Reporting Nov 15, 2015

Submitting a report that will raise eyebrows or cause concerns carries with it the responsibility to communicate additionally the what and why to your boss.

Your Door Is Not Always Open Nov 08, 2015

Your door as a manager doesn't have to *always* be open. More often than not, yes...but it's okay to say no to impromptu requests. Here's how.

New Manager Tools Mobile App Announcement Nov 06, 2015

We're proud to announce the availability of the new Manager Tools Mobile App.

MT(2006) - Employee Retention Nov 01, 2015

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on employee retention.

Late Stage Coaching Revisited Oct 26, 2015

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on the Late Stage Coaching Model.

Planning an Offsite - Part 5 Oct 18, 2015

The conclusion of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 4 Oct 11, 2015

Part 4 of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 3 Oct 04, 2015

Part 3 of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 2 Sep 27, 2015

Part 2 of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 1 Sep 20, 2015

Our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

How To Measure Feedback Implementation - Chapter 1 - Asking Sep 13, 2015

How Directors can easily measure their subordinate manager's implementation of feedback.

How To Respond To A Departure - Chapter One - Don't Hire Sep 06, 2015

You DON'T have to hire immediately when you have an opening. The strategic-thinking Effective Manager considers other options first. That's what your CEO wants you to do.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Relationships Matter Aug 30, 2015

New Directs need guidance on how to start on the right foot. We recommend a series of meetings in their first weeks, one of which makes clear: you have to create and maintain trusting relationships within the organization to succeed.

Leader's Intent - Part 2 Aug 23, 2015

Explaining your Leader's Intent - the "why" of the work - allows more individual decision making and speeds up results.

Leader's Intent - Part 1 Aug 16, 2015

Explaining your Leader's Intent - the "why" of the work - allows more individual decision making and speeds up results.

What You've Been Taught About Management is Wrong Aug 10, 2015

Mark's July 2015 USI Speech in Paris

Uncommunicative Direct Conversation - This is NOT Micromanagement - Part 2 Aug 02, 2015

How to ask questions of a direct who doesn't communicate during One on Ones, and why this approach is NOT micromanaging.

Uncommunicative Direct Conversation - This is NOT Micromanagement - Part 1 Jul 26, 2015

How to ask questions of a direct who doesn't communicate during One on Ones, and why this approach is NOT micromanaging.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Tell The Truth - Part 2 Jul 19, 2015

We recommend spending time with each new member of your team encouraging them to tell the truth, and not be afraid of not knowing how to do something or the standard way of doing something in their new role.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Tell The Truth - Part 1 Jul 12, 2015

We recommend spending time with each new member of your team encouraging them to tell the truth, and not be afraid of not knowing how to do something or the standard way of doing something in their new role.

How to Prewire a Meeting Jul 05, 2015

For the holidays, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts ... the Pre-wire. This cast describes a way to prepare for meetings or presentations where you need to persuade.

Results and Retention - 10th Anniversary, Part 2 Jun 28, 2015

The definition of an Effective Manager is to achieve results while retaining your team members.

Results and Retention - 10th Anniversary, Part 1 Jun 22, 2015

The definition of an Effective Manager is to achieve results while retaining your team members.

Leading Change: The Ore Cart - Chapter 1 Jun 14, 2015

Not everyone on your team wants to go along with every change you want to create. Luckily, you don't have to win over everyone.

Overcoming Trinity Pushback - Chapter 2 - No Time For One on Ones - Part 2 Jun 07, 2015

Some directs will tell you they don't have time for One on Ones. They're wrong, for all kinds of reasons. Here's what to say to get them over the hump.

Overcoming Trinity Pushback - Chapter 2 - No Time For One on Ones - Part 1 May 31, 2015

Some directs will tell you they don't have time for One on Ones. They're wrong, for all kinds of reasons. Here's what to say to get them over the hump.

How To Go On Vacation - Part 2 May 25, 2015

Part 2 of our series on how to plan for and take an effective vacation.

Manager Tools Effective Manager Video Course May 20, 2015

More details about the Effecive Manager Video Course.

How To Go On Vacation - Part 1 May 18, 2015

How to plan for and take an effective vacation.

What To Do When Your Direct Complains About The Company - Part 2 May 11, 2015

The conclusion of our series on how to tell when complaining from a direct about the company is becoming malignant, and how to address it.

What To Do When Your Direct Complains About The Company - Part 1 May 03, 2015

How to tell when complaining from a direct about the company is becoming malignant, and how to address it.

Managing a High C - Dangers - Part 2 Apr 27, 2015

Managing a rule-following, process focused perfectionist can be infuriating if you don't share their interest in details and data. How can you help a perfectionist "High C" be more effective in a world where deadlines and people matter?

Managing a High C - Dangers - Part 1 Apr 20, 2015

Managing a rule-following, process focused perfectionist can be infuriating if you don't share their interest in details and data. How can you help a perfectionist "High C" be more effective in a world where deadlines and people matter?

Manager Tools Effective Manager Video Course Announcment Apr 17, 2015

Announcing the Effecive Manager Video Course.

Conversational One on Ones Apr 13, 2015

Our guidance on how to make One on Ones more conversational.

Hall of Fame: One on Ones - Part 1 Apr 06, 2015

The inaugural episode of our Hall of Fame Series: Our guidance on One on Ones.

How To Respond To a Request For A Raise - Part 3 Mar 30, 2015

The conclusion of our guidance on how to respond to a request for a raise.

How To Respond To a Request For A Raise - Part 2 Mar 23, 2015

The second part of our guidance on how to respond to a request for a raise.

How To Respond To a Request For A Raise - Part 1 Mar 15, 2015

Our guidance on how to respond to a request for a raise.

Too Full Calendar Solutions - Back To Back Meetings, Part 2 Mar 08, 2015

The conclusion of our guidance on how to regain control of a calendar that is regularly full of back to back meetings.

Too Full Calendar Solutions - Back To Back Meetings, Part 1 Mar 01, 2015

Our guidance on how to regain control of a calendar that is regularly full of back to back meetings.

Too Full Calendar Solutions - Meeting Attendance Delegation - Part 2 Feb 23, 2015

The conclusion of our guidance on how to delegate meeting attendance, to address a chronically overbooked calendar.

Too Full Calendar Solutions - Meeting Attendance Delegation - Part 1 Feb 16, 2015

Our guidance on how to delegate meeting attendance, to address a chronically overbooked calendar.

I Didn't Get The Title/Raise - Part 2 Feb 08, 2015

The conclusion of our series on how to handle the situation where you got a "promotion" but didn't get the title/raise that should have gone with it.

I Didn't Get The Title/Raise - Part 1 Feb 01, 2015

How to handle the situation where you got a "promotion" but didn't get the title/raise that should have gone with it.

The Unspoken Commitment - Our 500th MT Cast Jan 25, 2015

Our guidance on your obligation to proactively communicate when your projects or tasks are at risk in some way.

Meeting Notes - Dead Simple Jan 18, 2015

How to take meeting notes and distribute them within 30 seconds of a meeting.

Phone Trees Jan 12, 2015

We recommend you create, maintain, and periodically test a telephone alert system or "Phone Tree" for use in exigencies.

Sending a Direct to an Industry Conference - Part 2 (Corrected) Jan 05, 2015

How to get the most out of sending a direct report to an industry conference.

Sending a Direct to an Industry Conference - Part 1 Dec 29, 2014

How to get the most out of sending a direct report to an industry conference.

Calendar Soup Dec 22, 2014

Your calendar is not a puzzle, with perfectly interlocking pieces. It’s a soup.

Effective Relationships - I’m a D, My Direct is a C - Part 4 (Updated) Dec 16, 2014

Part 4 of the example of our Effective Relationships Series - How to work with a direct who is a High C, if you are a High D.

Effective Relationships - I’m a D, My Direct is a C - Part 3 Dec 08, 2014

Part 3 of the example of our Effective Relationships Series - How to work with a direct who is a High C, if you are a High D.

Effective Relationships - I’m a D, My Direct is a C - Part 2 Nov 30, 2014

Part 2 of the example of our Effective Relationships Series - How to work with a direct who is a High C, if you are a High D.

Effective Relationships - I’m a D, My Direct is a C - Part 1 Nov 23, 2014

An example of our Effective Relationships Series - How to work with a direct who is a High C, if you are a High D.

How To Turn Down a Job Candidate - Part 2 Nov 17, 2014

There are effective and ineffective ways to notify a candidate you've interviewed that you won't be offering them.

How To Turn Down a Job Candidate - Part 1 Nov 10, 2014

There are effective and ineffective ways to notify a candidate you've interviewed that you won't be offering them.

There Is No Magic In The Word Feedback Nov 02, 2014

You don't have to say the word "feedback" to give feedback in the MT model. But we do recommend you ask first.

My Direct is Resigning Chapter 1 - Never Counter Offer - Part 3 Oct 27, 2014

The conclusion of our guidance to never make a counter-offer to an employee who has a competing offer.

My Direct is Resigning Chapter 1 - Never Counter Offer - Part 2 Oct 19, 2014

Part 2 of our series on our guidance to never make a counter-offer to an employee who has a competing offer.

My Direct is Resigning Chapter 1 - Never Counter Offer - Part 1 Oct 13, 2014

Never make a counter-offer to an employee who has a competing offer.

Expanded Email Guidance #1 Oct 06, 2014

Part of our periodic series with rules about how to professionally handle email.

Welcome To They - Professional Subordination - Chapter 2 - Part 2 Sep 29, 2014

When decisions are made you may disagree with, you must communicate the decision supportively both in public and in private.

Welcome To They - Professional Subordination - Chapter 2 Sep 22, 2014

When decisions are made you may disagree with, you must communicate the decision supportively both in public and in private.

Adjusting Recurring Agendas Sep 15, 2014

How to adjust a standing agenda for a recurring meeting

Get Your Directs a Mentor - Part 2 Sep 08, 2014

The conclusion of our series on why and how to get mentors for your directs.

Get Your Directs a Mentor Sep 01, 2014

Why and how to get mentors for your directs.

Feedback Step 3 - Emotions Are Okay Aug 24, 2014

It's okay to tell your directs how you feel (within professional limits) when giving them feedback.

Have You Talked To Them? Aug 18, 2014

When your directs want you to adjudicate a fight, start by asking, "Have you talked to them?"

Notes From The Field - Q3 2014 Aug 11, 2014

We answer recurring questions from the field.

Meeting Self-Facilitation - Part 2 Aug 04, 2014

The conclusion of our series on how to manage the time you're given during a meeting.

Meeting Self-Facilitation Jul 28, 2014

How to manage the time you're given during a meeting.

Feedback Doesn't Preclude - Chapter 1 Jul 21, 2014

Just saying, "Thank you," is an enormously powerful form of feedback.

Job Transparency For Development - Part 2 Jul 14, 2014

To better be able to delegate parts of your job, it's best to be transparent about your job.

Job Transparency For Development Jul 07, 2014

To better be able to delegate parts of your job, it's best to be transparent about your job.

Licensee Call HR Question Jun 30, 2014

In this podcast, we answer the question, "How can HR improve Manager Tools' impression of them?"

Disaster Recovery Part 1 - Check On Your People Jun 23, 2014

The first thing an effective manager does when a disaster strikes is to check on the safety of your people. People trump all organizational and operational needs.

When Angry, Disengage Jun 16, 2014

Our recommendations on what to do when you are feeling angry with your direct.

No Meetings Monday Morning Jun 08, 2014

Don't schedule meetings on Monday mornings. Meetings slow people down.

Boss One-on-One Pushback Jun 02, 2014

How to respond if your boss tells you he/she doesn’t agree with you doing One on Ones.

The Corky Story - Part 3 May 26, 2014

Part 3 of Dani's best management story about how she used the Manager Tools Trinity to terminate a poor performer in an organization where "you can't fire anyone."

The Corky Story - Part 2 May 19, 2014

Part 2 of Dani's best management story about how she used the Manager Tools Trinity to terminate a poor performer in an organization where "you can't fire anyone."

The Corky Story - Part 1 May 12, 2014

Dani's best management story about how she used the Manager Tools Trinity to terminate a poor performer in an organization where "you can't fire anyone."

Politics 101 – Chapter 5 – Favors Matter (Part 2) May 05, 2014

Doing "favors" for colleagues is an important part of the political/relationship culture in all organizations. It pays to give and to receive them.

Politics 101 – Chapter 5 – Favors Matter (Part 1) Apr 28, 2014

Doing "favors" for colleagues is an important part of the political/relationship culture in all organizations. It pays to give and to receive them.

THE Development Question Apr 21, 2014

Learn to ask your directs, "What do YOU think?" when they come to you with problems. THAT is the simple way to develop their skills – have them learn new ones.

Span of Control Guidelines Apr 14, 2014

How many people the average manager can supervise, and what rules to apply when creating team sizes.

Don't Waste Your Vote - Part 2 Apr 07, 2014

Don't vote against a plan or decision if you're the only one doing so, unless it's for ethics or principles (and it usually isn't).

Don't Waste Your Vote - Part 1 Mar 31, 2014

Don't vote against a plan or decision if you're the only one doing so, unless it's for ethics or principles (and it usually isn't).

Insist on Behavior When Assisting Mar 24, 2014

The best way to help colleagues and fellow managers with their employees is to insist on behaviors. But most managers don't think this way.

Documentation Basics - Part 2 Mar 17, 2014

How To Document Performance - Part 2.

Documentation Basics - Part 1 Mar 09, 2014

How To Document Performance.

Writing a Job Description - Part 2 Mar 03, 2014

The conclusion of our series on how to write a simple job description.

Writing a Job Description - Part 1 Feb 24, 2014

How to write a simple job description.

Assume Positive Intent Feb 17, 2014

Assume positive intent when analyzing the actions of others, especially directs.

Handling Special Emails Feb 10, 2014

Certain emails DO justify reading them with some urgency. The key is keeping a very short list.

Project Status is Never "Fine" Feb 03, 2014

Never ask how a project is going. You'll get information that isn't helpful…and it's your fault. Ask for status, and define what status is.

Flexible Coaching Deadlines Jan 27, 2014

This guidance recommends extending short coaching deadlines when your directs show that they can meet them, and keeping deadlines flexible based on performance.

Communicating Lateness Jan 20, 2014

This guidance describes how to communicate lateness for one's responsibilities.

You Might Want to Consider ... Dec 30, 2013

Executives are often vague or indirect in giving feedback. One way they do so is to say, "You might want to think about..."

Visual Record-Keeping - Part 2 Dec 23, 2013

The conclusion of our recommendation of using Visual Record-Keeping for meetings that require collaboration and discussion about future plans and discussions (versus historical discussions like status reporting).

Visual Record-Keeping - Part 1 Dec 16, 2013

This guidance recommends using Visual Record-Keeping for meetings that require collaboration and discussion about future plans and discussions (versus historical discussions like status reporting).

Don't Change Metrics Dec 09, 2013

This guidance describes why not to change the metrics you use for your team's behaviors.

Horstman's Law Of Uncertainty Dec 02, 2013

This guidance describes what to say when you don't have an answer to a question, even when it's urgent.

Three Strikes Delegation Nov 25, 2013

This guidance describes what to do when a direct repeatedly says no to delegation asks.

My Direct Doesn't Want To Change Nov 18, 2013

This guidance describes how to interact with a direct who resists or refuses more, new, or different work because they're "comfortable where they are", or "not interested in promotion."

Politics 101 - Chapter 4 - Know Thine Enemies Nov 11, 2013

How to be more effective by planning for your enemies' inevitable efforts to undermine you.

Horstman's Noon Rule of Scheduling Nov 04, 2013

This guidance describes why your day "gets away from" you, and how to schedule more effectively.

Hiring "Overqualifieds" - Part 4 Oct 28, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance on how – and why – to hire "overqualified" candidates.

Hiring "Overqualifieds" - Part 3 Oct 21, 2013

Part 3 of our guidance on how – and why – to hire "overqualified" candidates.

Hiring "Overqualifieds" - Part 2 Oct 14, 2013

This cast continues our guidance on how – and why – to hire "overqualified" candidates.

Hiring "Overqualifieds" - Part 1 Oct 07, 2013

This guidance describes how – and why – to hire overqualified candidates.

No Dropping Dimes - Part 2 Sep 30, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance recommending NOT announcing a colleague’s failure without a courtesy notification.

No Dropping Dimes - Part 1 Sep 23, 2013

This guidance recommends NOT announcing a colleague’s failure without a courtesy notification.

Direct Internal Passport Sep 14, 2013

This guidance describes how to help directs understand how to work across organizational boundaries.

Coaching Example - Interrupting (Part 3) Sep 09, 2013

The conclusion of our series on how to coach someone to stop interrupting, using the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Coaching Example - Interrupting (Part 2) Sep 02, 2013

Another cast on our series on how to coach someone to stop interrupting, using the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Coaching Example - Interrupting (Part 1) Aug 26, 2013

How to coach someone to stop interrupting, using the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Effective Interviewer Series - Logistics Clarity Aug 19, 2013

Our recommendations on how to communicate about logistics and schedules in advance of bringing a job candidate in for an interview. This cast is a public part of The Effective Interviewer Series of casts, which are a paid product.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Be Timely Aug 11, 2013

This guidance continues our recommendations about topics to cover with new directs, encouraging them to be on time with themselves, their work, and their commitments.

You Did Not Demonstrate - Part 2 Aug 05, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance on how to share shortcomings in evaluations like reviews and interviews.

You Did Not Demonstrate - Part 1 Jul 29, 2013

This guidance explains how to share shortcomings in evaluations like reviews and interviews.

Career Tools: Dealing With Objections - Part 2 Jul 24, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance on how to deal with objections. This Career Tools podcast is included as a special bonus for Manager Tools Listeners.

Career Tools: Dealing With Objections - Part 1 Jul 24, 2013

Our guidance on how to deal with objections. This Career Tools podcast is included as a special bonus for Manager Tools Listeners.

Post-Resignation Team Meeting - Part 2 Jul 21, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance on how to have a brief meeting with your team immediately after you resign.

Post-Resignation Team Meeting - Part 1 Jul 14, 2013

This guidance explains how to have a brief meeting with your team immediately after you resign.

The Collaborative Manager - Chapter 2 - Tell Some To Wait Jul 07, 2013

This guidance recommends asking your assertive communicators to wait to contribute, and to reinforce what you want with feedback.

Ordering Multiple Interviews - Part 2 Jun 30, 2013

The conclusion of our recommendations for how to set up the order of interviews you conduct for a day of in-person interviews of a candidate.

Ordering Multiple Interviews - Part 1 Jun 23, 2013

Our recommendations for how to set up the order of interviews you conduct for a day of in-person interviews of a candidate. This guidance is part of our Effective Interviewer Series.

Increasing Team Input Strategies Chapter 1 – Measure It Jun 16, 2013

This guidance recommends measuring the input proffered from quieter team members, to increase their contributions and collaboration.

Questions To Ask Candidate References - Part 2 Jun 09, 2013

This guidance recommends what questions to ask of a job candidate’s references, if you progress to that stage.

Questions To Ask Candidate References - Part 1 Jun 02, 2013

This guidance recommends what questions to ask of a job candidate’s references, if you progress to that stage.

One On One Development Analysis Check May 26, 2013

This guidance recommends evaluating directs’ performances by the content of what they bring to their One on One with you.

Measuring Feedback Chapter 2 Overweight Top Performers - Part 2 May 20, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance recommending giving more positive (and then negative) feedback to a manager’s top performers, rather than trying to spread feedback out equally.

Measuring Feedback Chapter 2 Overweight Top Performers - Part 1 May 12, 2013

This guidance recommends giving more positive (and then negative) feedback to a manager’s top performers, rather than trying to spread feedback out equally.

Politics 101 - Chapter 3 - The Myth Of The Just World (Part 2) May 06, 2013

The conclusion of our recommendations on professionals abandoning their belief in the myth of a just world and 'play politics'.

Politics 101 - Chapter 3 - The Myth Of The Just World (Part 1) Apr 28, 2013

This guidance recommends professionals abandon their belief in the myth of a just world and "play politics".

The Collaborative Manager - Chapter 1 - More Ideas Apr 22, 2013

This guidance helps managers be more collaborative by getting more input from their team members.

First Meeting With A New Direct - Ask Questions Apr 14, 2013

This guidance continues our recommendations about topics to cover with new directs, encouraging them to ask questions about everything they don’t understand.

Project Management Basics - Now And Later Tasks Apr 08, 2013

This guidance describes how to quickly assign tasks in a project without getting bogged down in details.

Lists And Agendas In One On Ones Apr 01, 2013

This guidance describes if and how to use lists and agendas during your One on Ones.

Diffusing Disagreements Mar 25, 2013

This guidance recommends a straightforward way to diffuse tension around, and overcome, objections others have to your ideas.

Email Three Times A Day - Part 2 Mar 18, 2013

The conclusion of our guidance recommending doing email three times a day. ONLY three times a day.

Email Three Times A Day - Part 1 Mar 11, 2013

This guidance recommends doing email three times a day. ONLY three times a day.

Never Step Out Of The Middle Mar 04, 2013

This guidance recommends managers never willingly allow their boss to talk to a skip directly.

Dealing With Vague Feedback - Part 2 Feb 25, 2013

This guidance completes our discussion on how to respond to vague feedback from your boss or others.

Dealing With Vague Feedback - Part 1 Feb 18, 2013

This guidance explains how to respond to vague feedback from your boss or others.

Politics 101 - Chapter 2 - Meeting Prep: Who Wants What Feb 11, 2013

This guidance tells you how to prepare for meetings where politics are going to play a role (which is to say, ALL of them).

Thank You For The Bad News Feb 03, 2013

This guidance tells you what to do when directs bring you bad news.

Negative Feedback Before Its Time Jan 28, 2013

This guidance recommends what to do when a direct would get negative feedback but it’s not yet time for it in the Trinity Rollout Process.

Positive Feedback Before Its Time Jan 21, 2013

This guidance recommends what to do when a direct would get positive feedback but it’s not yet time for it in the Trinity Rollout Process.

Overcoming Trinity Pushback - Chapter 1 - "One on Ones Are Micromanaging" Jan 14, 2013

This guidance tells you what to do when directs resist One on Ones because they are a form of "micromanaging."

How To Do Succession Planning - Chapter 4 - The Delivery Meeting Jan 07, 2013

This guidance tells you how to structure your briefing to your team around Simple Succession Planning.

Rules of Politics – Chapter One – Count Your Votes Dec 31, 2012

This guidance recommends knowing where decision makers and influencers stand on proposals and decisions that matter to you and your team.

Calendar Management Details – Chapter 2 Priorities In The Morning Dec 24, 2012

This guidance recommends proactively scheduling time for your key responsibilities in the morning, versus afternoon or early evening, "when everyone’s gone."

Your Directs' Resumes Dec 17, 2012

This guidance describes when we recommend a manager consider their directs’ resumes.

How To Do Succession Planning Chapter 3 – The Simple Form Dec 10, 2012

How to create a dead-simple Succession Planning Form.

One on Ones While Traveling - Part 2 Dec 02, 2012

This guidance completes our recommendations on how to do One on Ones while you are traveling.

Effective Documentation - Part 2 Nov 25, 2012

Part 2 of our guidance on how to document the performance of your directs and your communications with them.

Effective Documentation - Part 1 Nov 18, 2012

Our guidance for how to document the performance of your directs and your communications with them.

How To Handle Meeting Killers – Chapter 6 Multitasking Nov 12, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address behaviors in meetings that reduce meeting effectiveness, based on a popular 2012 Wall Street Journal article. This Chapter deals with handling a multi-tasker and also reviews the Journal’s general meeting guidance.

Calendar Management Details Chapter 1 – Shorten Free Time Nov 05, 2012

How to improve your effectiveness by eliminating long open periods from of your calendar.

One on Ones While Traveling - Part 1 Oct 28, 2012

This guidance recommends how to do One on Ones while you are traveling.

Inheriting A Poor Performer - Part 2 Oct 22, 2012

This guidance discusses how to manage those directs whom you didn’t hire and who have a history of poor performance.

Inheriting A Poor Performer - Part 1 Oct 15, 2012

This guidance discusses how to manage those directs whom you didn’t hire and who have a history of poor performance.

How To Handle Meeting Killers - The Rambler Oct 08, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address behaviors in meetings that reduce meeting effectiveness, based on a popular 2012 Wall Street Journal article. This Chapter deals with handling a Rambler – someone who talks and talks and talks ... and talks.

Admit Your Mistakes Oct 01, 2012

This guidance recommends admitting your mistakes openly as a manager, to your team, to enhance candor and openness from your team members.

Never Ask A Question Of A Direct (Whose Answer You Don’t Intend to Honor) Sep 23, 2012

We recently published guidance recommending that managers ask directs for their efforts, rather than commanding. Can't they say "no"? Yes.

Executive Career Management - If Not You Who? Sep 15, 2012

This guidance describes a simple way executive succession planning is often done, and the key to mastering it.

How To Handle Meeting Killers - The Silent Plotter Sep 09, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address behaviors in meetings that reduce meeting effectiveness, based on a popular 2012 Wall Street Journal article. This Chapter deals with handling a Silent Plotter – someone who tries to kill every idea, even after everyone’s agreed.

Work Family Balance - Chapter 1 - Go Home Sep 02, 2012

This guidance describes the fundamental error in trying to achieve “Work-Family Balance” and how to solve it forever.

The Part After Feedback - Chapter One - Part 2 Aug 26, 2012

The conclusion of our guidance on how to respond initially to a direct who pushes back in various ways to an instance of feedback.

The Part After Feedback - Chapter One - Part 1 Aug 20, 2012

This guidance describes how to respond initially to a direct who pushes back in various ways to an instance of feedback.

Ask For What You Want Aug 12, 2012

This guidance recommends asking your directs for work to be done - meaning requesting things in the form of a question – rather than stating your desire for something to occur.

How To Deliver A Shot Across The Bow Review Aug 06, 2012

This guidance describes how to deliver an unofficial performance evaluation when your direct is failing and may either not realize it or is resisting changing.

How To Deliver An Unofficial Review Jul 30, 2012

This guidance describes how to deliver an unofficial performance evaluation when you need to communicate something that can’t go on an official eval.

How To Do Succession Planning - Chapter 2 Jul 23, 2012

This guidance tells you how to use performance evaluations to improve your basic succession planning.

How To Handle Meeting Killers - The Naysayer Jul 16, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address behaviors in meetings that reduce meeting effectiveness, based on a popular 2012 Wall Street Journal article. This Chapter deals with handling a Naysayer – someone who tries to kill every idea, even after everyone’s agreed.

Self Development Informal 360 Degree Jul 08, 2012

This guidance tells you how to potentially get some informal self development guidance from your manager by asking three simple questions.

Common One On One Mistakes - Chapter One - Agenda Fascism Jul 02, 2012

This guidance tells you how to avoid the mistake of “Agenda Fascism” in One on Ones.

How To Handle Meeting Killers - The Dominator Jun 25, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address behaviors in meetings that reduce meeting effectiveness.

How To Do One On Ones With Shift Workers Jun 18, 2012

This guidance tells you how to do One on Ones with your directs who work a different shift than you do.

How To Do Succession Planning Chapter 1 – Ready Now, Ready Next Jun 11, 2012

This guidance recommends the 'Ready Now/Ready Next' Approach to Succession Planning.

The Morning Greeting Jun 04, 2012

This guidance recommends greeting all of your directs when you first interact with them each morning, and how to do it.

How To Handle Meeting Killers - The Jokester May 28, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address behaviors in meetings that reduce meeting effectiveness.

Big To Small Meeting Agendas May 21, 2012

This guidance tells you how to structure meeting agendas around the biggest, most important items.

How To Address Social Media Abuse May 14, 2012

This guidance tells you what to do when one of your directs spends too much time on social media.

"But I LIKE Doing That Part Of My Job!" May 07, 2012

This guidance recommends how to address a direct who likes part of his/her job and won’t stop doing it, or won’t focus on other areas that are more valuable.

Aggregated Behaviors Are Performance - Part 2 Apr 29, 2012

This cast concludes our recommendations on focusing on behaviors because behaviors are measurable and aggregated behaviors ARE performance.

Aggregated Behaviors Are Performance - Part 1 Apr 23, 2012

This guidance recommends focusing on behaviors because behaviors are measurable and aggregated behaviors ARE performance.

Feedback From Your Directs - What To Say - Part 2 Apr 15, 2012

This cast concludes our guidance on what to say when your directs say, “Can I give YOU some feedback?”

Feedback From Your Directs - What To Say - Part 1 Apr 08, 2012

This guidance tells you what to say when your directs say, "Can I give YOU some feedback?"

And Not But Meeting Ground Rule Apr 01, 2012

This guidance recommends a standing ground rule at all meetings: No “buts,” only “and”.

How To Use A RACI Matrix Mar 26, 2012

This guidance describes how to use a RACI [Responsible, Accountable, Consult, Inform] Matrix when determining project responsibilities.

Ethics - Part 2 Mar 22, 2012

The conclusion of our guidance on ethical behavior.

How To Avoid Reverse Delegation Mar 19, 2012

This guidance describes how to avoid having your directs give you work that you’ve already assigned to them.

Ethics - Part 1 Mar 15, 2012

Our guidance on ethical behavior. Although this show was originally recorded as a Career Tools cast, we've included it for free for our Manager Tools listeners and Licensees given the underlying assumption of ethical behavior in all our recommendations.

Bench Evaluation Chapter 1: Probing Mar 12, 2012

This guidance describes how to interview those colleagues on your bench…without interviewing them.

Delegating To The Floor Mar 04, 2012

This guidance describes how to help individual contributors handle an overload in work.

The Fruit Bowl At Meetings Feb 26, 2012

This guidance describes how to use a “Fruit Bowl” to eliminate cell phone distractions at meetings.

Internal Support Roles And Responsibilities - Part 2 Feb 23, 2012

The conclusion of our guidance on how to obtain the requirements you need when working as an internal support provider.

Do NOT Give Feedback To Your Boss Feb 18, 2012

This guidance describes how and why NOT to give feedback to your boss.

Internal Support Roles And Responsibilities - Part 1 Feb 17, 2012

We believe this podcast, while a Career Tools cast, is of particular interest to our Manager Tools listeners as well. So, we're providing this as an additional cast for our Manager Tools listeners and Individual Licensees – Our guidance how to obtain the requirements you need when working as an internal support provider.

Measuring Feedback Chapter 1 - Part 2 Feb 12, 2012

This cast concludes our guidance on how to measure the amount of feedback you’re delivering to your directs.

Measuring Feedback Chapter 1 - Part 1 Feb 06, 2012

This guidance describes how to measure the amount of feedback you’re delivering to your directs.

The 45 Minute Meeting Jan 29, 2012

This guidance describes how to schedule hour-long meetings, which are often back-to-back-to-back, in only 45 minutes.

The First Rule Of Probing In An Interview Jan 22, 2012

This guidance describes the most important to ask further questions about during an interview.

Routine Town Hall Meetings - Part 2 Jan 15, 2012

This cast concludes our guidance on how to run a Routine Town Hall Meeting for your organization.

Routine Town Hall Meetings - Part 1 Jan 08, 2012

This guidance describes how to run a Routine Town Hall Meeting for your organization.

New Direct - First Day Meeting (500th Cast) Jan 02, 2012

This guidance describes the first meeting a manager ought to have with a new team member.

Ending A Bad Interview - Part 2 Dec 25, 2011

This guidance concludes our discussion on when and how to end an interview with a candidate you won't hire.

Ending A Bad Interview - Part 1 Dec 19, 2011

This guidance describes when and how to end an interview with a candidate you won't hire.

The Steel Cage Death Match Meetings - Part 2 Dec 11, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on how to prepare for Steel Cage Death Match Meetings.

The Steel Cage Death Match Meetings - Part 1 Dec 04, 2011

This guidance describes how to prepare for Steel Cage Death Match Meetings.

Project Status Reporting Simple Feedback - Part 2 Nov 27, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on how to give feedback on how you want projects reported on.

Project Status Reporting Simple Feedback - Part 1 Nov 20, 2011

This guidance describes how to give feedback on how you want projects reported on.

The Project Management Drumbeat Meeting - Part 2 Nov 13, 2011

This guidance describes how to manage work and decisions being done on a project.

The Project Management Drumbeat Meeting - Part 1 Nov 06, 2011

This guidance describes how to manage work and decisions being done on a project.

Taking Notes In Interviews - Chapter 1 Oct 30, 2011

This guidance recommends the best way to take notes during interviews.

Project Meeting Reporting - Part 2 Oct 23, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on how to have project statuses reported and discussed.

Project Meeting Reporting - Part 1 Oct 16, 2011

This guidance describes how to have project statuses reported and discussed.

One On One Note-Taking Recommendations Oct 10, 2011

This guidance describes some simple improvements most managers can make to help them take better notes during their One on Ones.

Top And Bottom Performer Reporting Oct 03, 2011

This guidance describes how to be ready to talk with your boss about your team.

The Coaching Dilemma - Part 2 Sep 25, 2011

This cast continues our discussion on whom to coach and develop on your team with your marginal time.

The Coaching Dilemma - Part 1 Sep 18, 2011

This guidance describes whom to coach and develop on your team with your marginal time.

The Coaching Dilemma Introduction Sep 15, 2011

A short (8 min) extra cast where Mark introduces the Coaching Dilemma and solicits YOUR responses. What do you think is the correct answer to the dilemma?

Right Of First Refusal - Part 2 Sep 12, 2011

This cast concludes our discussion on how to use your calendar more proactively.

Right Of First Refusal - Part 1 Sep 05, 2011

This guidance describes how to use your calendar more proactively.

Contract Employee One On Ones - Part 2 Aug 28, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on the right way to conduct One on Ones with your contract employees.

Contract Employee One On Ones - Part 1 Aug 21, 2011

This guidance describes the right way to conduct One on Ones with your contract employees.

Bi-Monthly Skip Level Reviews - Part 2 Aug 15, 2011

This guidance concludes our discussion on how to learn about your skips and develop your direct report managers by discussing your skips on a regular basis.

Bi-Monthly Skip Level Reviews - Part 1 Aug 07, 2011

This guidance describes how to learn about your skips and develop your direct report managers by discussing your skips on a regular basis.

Travel EMP Jul 31, 2011

This guidance describes how to prepare for the inevitable loss of gadgets and gadget power, most likely on while traveling.

Can I Be Friends With My Directs? - Part 2 Jul 24, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on what a professional manager's role and limits are when it comes to being friends with our directs.

Can I Be Friends With My Directs? - Part 1 Jul 18, 2011

This guidance describes what a professional manager's role and limits are when it comes to being friends with our directs.

There Is No Why In Feedback - Part 2 Jul 11, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on what to do and why when directs want to describe why they did what they did when you have given them negative feedback.

There Is No Why In Feedback - Part 1 Jul 03, 2011

This guidance describes what to do and why when directs want to describe why they did what they did when you have given them negative feedback.

Coaching Presenting Skills With Toastmasters Jun 26, 2011

This guidance recommends having any of your directs who present, and maybe even yourself, join and attend a Toastmasters Chapter.

Measuring The Trinity - Chapter 1 Jun 19, 2011

This guidance explains how to BEGIN to measure YOUR success in rolling out the Manager Tools Trinity – One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation.

The One Third-Planning Rule - Part 2 Jun 12, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance explaining the One-Third Planning Rule: when assessing and assigning work to your team, never take more than 1/3 of the available time to do so.

The One Third-Planning Rule - Part 1 Jun 06, 2011

This guidance explains the One-Third Planning Rule: when assessing and assigning work to your team, never take more than 1/3 of the available time to do so.

Over Assigning And Delegating Work - Part 3 May 30, 2011

This cast concludes our recommendations on developing your directs by always having them have more to do than they have time to do ... by assigning and delegating more work than they think they can do.

Over Assigning And Delegating Work - Part 2 May 22, 2011

This cast continues our recommendations on developing your directs by always having them have more to do than they have time to do ... by assigning and delegating more work than they think they can do.

Over Assigning And Delegating Work - Part 1 May 15, 2011

This guidance recommends developing your directs by always having them have more to do than they have time to do…by assigning and delegating more work than they think they can do.

Peer One on Ones - Part 2 May 08, 2011

This cast concludes our recommendations on why and how to meet weekly, or regularly, with your peer managers.

Peer One on Ones - Part 1 May 01, 2011

This guidance recommends why and how to met weekly, or regularly, with your peer managers.

Event Based Feedback Apr 24, 2011

This guidance recommends how to give a lot of feedback about a specific event all at once.

How To Manage A Disgruntled Non-Promoted Direct - Part 3 Apr 17, 2011

This cast concludes our guidance on how to manage one of your directs who wanted the job you’re in now, and you may have reason to believe that they will hold it against you.

How To Manage A Disgruntled Non-Promoted Direct - Part 2 Apr 10, 2011

This cast continues our guidance on how to manage one of your directs who wanted the job you’re in now, and you may have reason to believe that they will hold it against you.

How To Manage A Disgruntled Non-Promoted Direct - Part 1 Apr 03, 2011

This guidance recommends how to manage one of your directs who wanted the job you’re in now, and you may have reason to believe that they will hold it against you.

Internal Team Pre-Wires Mar 27, 2011

This guidance describes why and how effective managers insist on their directs pre-wiring information they brief to you.

How To Run A SPOT Project Kickoff Meeting Mar 20, 2011

This guidance describes how to run the first meeting you have with your team about a new project your team will be doing.

How To Assign Work Tasks - Part 2 Mar 13, 2011

This cast concludes our discussion on how to assign tasks to your directs.

How To Assign Work Tasks - Part 1 Mar 06, 2011

This guidance describes how to assign tasks to your directs.

How To Manage A Massive Workload Increase - Part 4 Feb 27, 2011

This cast concludes (Part 4 of 4) our guidance on how to respond when, through any number of factors, you and your team are OVERWHELMED with lots of new work. Perhaps it's a layoff, perhaps it's a re-organization, perhaps it's because you're GOOD. Regardless, what do you DO??

How To Manage A Massive Workload Increase - Part 3 Feb 20, 2011

This cast continues (Part 3 of 4) our guidance on how to respond when, through any number of factors, you and your team are OVERWHELMED with lots of new work. Perhaps it's a layoff, perhaps it's a re-organization, perhaps it's because you're GOOD. Regardless, what do you DO??

How To Manage A Massive Workload Increase - Part 2 Feb 13, 2011

This cast continues our guidance on how to respond when, through any number of factors, you and your team are OVERWHELMED with lots of new work.

How To Manage A Massive Workload Increase - Part 1 Feb 07, 2011

This guidance describes how to respond when, through any number of factors, you and your team are OVERWHELMED with lots of new work.

Boss Meeting Prep - No Surprises Jan 30, 2011

This guidance describes how to prepare your boss for attending any meeting you are running.

Conduct Multiple Interviews, Chapter 1 - Part 3 Jan 23, 2011

In this cast, we conclude our conversation on how to interview candidates by conducting multiple interviews.

Conduct Multiple Interviews, Chapter 1 - Part 2 Jan 17, 2011

In this cast, we continue our conversation on how to interview candidates by conducting multiple interviews.

Conduct Multiple Interviews, Chapter 1 - Part 1 Jan 09, 2011

This guidance describes how to interview candidates by conducting multiple interviews.

Assumptive Goal Setting Jan 02, 2011

This guidance describes a technique for how to think more creatively about annual planning goals.

Managers Are Communicated THROUGH Dec 26, 2010

This guidance describes how managers ought to communicate organizational information to their team members.

Professional Subordination - Part 2 Dec 19, 2010

This show concludes our recommendations on the professional approach to supporting choices you didn't champion.

Professional Subordination - Part 1 Dec 12, 2010

This guidance recommends the professional approach to supporting choices you didn't champion.

Managing A High I: Dangers Part 2 Dec 05, 2010

This cast concludes our discussion on how to manage a High I direct based on some natural tendencies and weaknesses.

Managing A High I: Dangers Part 1 Nov 28, 2010

This guidance describes how to manage a High I direct based on some natural tendencies and weaknesses.

Not Too Picky Feedback Nov 21, 2010

This guidance recommends giving negative feedback only after a second instance, and only ON the second instance.

Mentoring With Political Smarts Nov 14, 2010

This guidance describes whom to choose to mentor internally based on political considerations.

Calendar Changes And Your Admin Nov 07, 2010

This guidance describes some simple things your admin can do to help you manage your calendar.

Simple Project Reporting Guidance Nov 01, 2010

This guidance describes how to assign a project to a direct and set up some simple reporting that will greatly increase early (and overall) success.

Distant Manager Basics - Part 2 Oct 24, 2010

This cast concludes our guidance on some simple things managers can do to improve the accountability and productivity of distant team members.

Distant Manager Basics - Part 1 Oct 17, 2010

This guidance recommends some simple things managers can do to improve the accountability and productivity of distant team members.

Introducing Managerial Change Oct 09, 2010

This guidance recommends how to introduce changes in how you manage your team.

Resistant Directs In One on Ones Oct 03, 2010

This guidance recommends how to have effective One on Ones with directs who are initially resistant.

Managers and Governmental Politics – Part 2 Sep 27, 2010

This cast concludes our discussion on how effective managers address governmental politics at work.

Managers and Governmental Politics – Part 1 Sep 19, 2010

This guidance recommends how effective managers address governmental politics at work.

Succession Planning - Extending Your Network Sep 12, 2010

This guidance recommends how to further your succession planning efforts by extending your network to your directs.

Effective Meetings Starter Model - Part 2 Sep 07, 2010

This cast concludes our conversation on an even more basic model for effective meetings than in our original guidance.

Effective Meetings Starter Model - Part 1 Aug 30, 2010

This cast describes an even more basic model for effective meetings than in our original guidance.

One on Ones – Work or Personal? Aug 22, 2010

This guidance addresses how personal One on Ones ought to be – should they be all about family and personal stuff, or just about work?

One On Ones Are Business Meetings Aug 15, 2010

This guidance addresses questions about the purpose and value of One on Ones, particularly for those directs who challenge the need for them.

How To Handle Public Disagreement - Part 2 Aug 08, 2010

This cast concludes our conversation on how to respond when someone disagrees publicly in an unprofessional way.

How To Handle Public Disagreement - Part 1 Aug 01, 2010

This cast describes how to respond when someone disagrees publicly in an unprofessional way.

Third Party Negative Feedback – How To Decide Jul 25, 2010

This cast describes how to decide whether or not to give feedback to one of your directs based on someone else's input.

Skip Level Feedback Jul 18, 2010

This cast describes how to deliver feedback to skip level associates.

Calendar Control #1 – Say No Jul 12, 2010

This cast describes a simple technique for controlling one's calendar, thereby keeping more time available for primary objectives.

Assign Work AND Reporting Jul 04, 2010

This guidance recommends assigning both the reporting of work and the work itself when delegating.

Praise In Public, Criticize In Private Is WRONG Jun 27, 2010

This guidance disagrees with the old notion of praise in public, criticize in private, and recommends more effective behaviors.

Yes, Please Praise, Thank You Jun 20, 2010

This guidance recommends how to deliver both praise and feedback (though not together), and why they are both valuable – and completely different.

Feedback – Public Or Private? Jun 14, 2010

This guidance describes whether or not to give feedback in public, or in private . . . or neither.

Feedback Immediacy Jun 07, 2010

This cast describes WHEN to give feedback. How fast is too fast? How slow is too slow?

When NOT To Give Feedback - Part 2 May 30, 2010

This cast concludes our conversation on some situations where feedback isn't appropriate, because the error/mistake/infraction is so egregious, encouragement of effective future behavior isn't enough.

When NOT To Give Feedback - Part 1 May 23, 2010

This cast describes some situations where feedback isn't appropriate, because the error/mistake/infraction is so egregious, encouragement of effective future behavior isn't enough.

Small Company Systems – The Rule of 150, Part 2 May 17, 2010

This cast concludes our conversation on the Rule of 150, how it affects the growth of small companies and organizations, and how to address it.

Small Company Systems – The Rule of 150, Part 1 May 10, 2010

This cast describes The Rule of 150, how it affects the growth of small companies and organizations, and how to address it.

How To Choose What To Delegate May 03, 2010

This guidance describes how to choose what to delegate using a simple Venn Diagram – the intersection between the direct, the manager, and the organization.

Influence Through Verbal Commitments - Part 2 Apr 26, 2010

The conclusion of our recommendations on how to influence others by asking for verbal commitments.

Influence Through Verbal Commitments - Part 1 Apr 18, 2010

In this recommendation, Manager Tools describes how to influence others by asking for verbal commitments.

LinkedIn For Managers - Part 2 Apr 11, 2010

This cast concludes our conversation on LinkedIn and what it means for Managers.

LinkedIn For Managers - Part 1 Apr 04, 2010

This cast reviews our recent Career Tools guidance on LinkedIn, as well as highlights LinkedIn's recent Fortune magazine cover story, and recommends some basic LinkedIn behaviors for managers.

Rolling DOWN The Trinity Mar 28, 2010

This cast describes one way to help your directs – when they are managers – to begin using the Manager Tools Management Trinity: One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation.

The Manager Tools Promotion Standard: 150% - Part 2 Mar 21, 2010

This cast concludes our conversation on a more effective way to set standards for getting one of your directs promoted.

The Manager Tools Promotion Standard: 150% - Part 1 Mar 14, 2010

This cast describes a more effective way to set standards for getting one of your directs promoted.

Delegate Your Reporting - Part 2 Mar 07, 2010

We conclude our conversation on how and why to delegate almost all of your routine reporting to your directs.

Delegate Your Reporting Feb 28, 2010

This cast describes how and why to delegate almost all of your routine reporting to your directs.

High D Manager Simple Downfall Feb 21, 2010

This cast addresses a behavioral change for an insidious practice of High D Managers: always putting results in front of relationships. People MATTER!

High S Manager Simple Downfall Feb 14, 2010

This cast addresses a behavioral change for an insidious practice of High S Managers: overprotecting your team.

Intra-Company Training Network Building Feb 07, 2010

This cast recommends building relationships internally at your organization when you attend training events.

Managing Cultural Diversity - The Wendii Curve Feb 01, 2010

This cast describes Manager Tools' first principle about managing directs from different cultures, based on the Wendii curve.

How To Manage An Arrogant Producer Jan 23, 2010

This cast addresses how to manage a high performer who is arrogant or dismissive of others.

How To Stop Gossip Jan 18, 2010

This cast addresses how to stop intra-office gossip.

The High I Manager Simple Downfall Jan 10, 2010

This cast addresses a behavioral change for an insidious practice of High I Managers: starting well and ending poorly.

Developing Subordinate Managers - Chapter 1 Jan 03, 2010

This cast describes the first principle of how to develop subordinate managers - Measure Basic Behaviors.

Coaching/Feedback Template For Presentations Dec 28, 2009

This cast provides guidance on giving feedback when coaching directs on their presentation skills, AND a detailed template managers can use when doing so.

Favorite Candidate Interview Preparation - Part 2 Dec 20, 2009

This cast concludes our conversation on how to increase the chances that you will get to hire your favorite candidate when he or she has to interview elsewhere in the organization.

Favorite Candidate Interview Preparation - Part 1 Dec 13, 2009

This cast describes how to increase the chances that you will get to hire your favorite candidate when he or she has to interview elsewhere in the organization.

High C Manager Simple Downfall - Part 2 Dec 06, 2009

This cast concludes our conversation on a behavioral change for an insidious practice of High C Managers: finding fault with recommendations and ideas.

High C Manager Simple Downfall - Part 1 Nov 30, 2009

This cast addresses a behavioral change for an insidious practice of High C Managers: finding fault with recommendations and ideas.

The One On One Refresh Nov 22, 2009

This cast describes how to refresh your One on Ones with your directs after you've been doing them for 1-2 years.

My Boss Skips Me Nov 16, 2009

This cast describes how to work with a boss who repeatedly skips over a manager and works directly with your directs (his or her "skips").

Owning The Inputs - Part 2 Nov 09, 2009

This cast concludes our conversation on handling a direct who blames another direct for their failure to deliver a task on time.

Owning The Inputs - Part 1 Nov 01, 2009

This cast recommends how to handle a direct who blames another direct for their failure to deliver a task on time.

Managers and Confidentiality Oct 25, 2009

This cast recommends how managers handle requests for confidentiality from their directs.

The Management Trinity - Part 3 Oct 18, 2009

In this cast, we conclude our conversation on the origins of the Management Trinity, focusing on Coaching and Delegation.

The Management Trinity - Part 2 Oct 12, 2009

In this cast, we continue our conversation on the origins of the Management Trinity, focusing on One on Ones and Feedback.

The Management Trinity - Part 1 Oct 04, 2009

This cast describes the origins of the Management Trinity: why we preach it, and how it came to be.

Timely Meetings – Part 2 Sep 27, 2009

This cast concludes our conversation on how to run timely meetings.

Timely Meetings – Part 1 Sep 20, 2009

This cast describes how to run timely meetings.

The First Question In Your One on One Sep 14, 2009

This cast describes how to start every One on One.

Admin Trip Folders – Part 2 Sep 06, 2009

This cast concludes our discussion on a standard practice of administrative assistants helping managers prepare for business travel.

Admin Trip Folders - Part 1 Aug 30, 2009

This cast describes a standard practice of administrative assistants helping managers prepare for business travel.

Direct Relationships Acid Test Aug 24, 2009

This cast prescribes asking your directs what their children's names are.

Quick and Dirty Choosing a Number Two Aug 16, 2009

This cast describes a quick and dirty way to choose an interim replacement or number two for your role as manager.

Project Manager Feedback Aug 09, 2009

This cast describes how give feedback to a project team member if you are a project manager.

Team Formation – How Big? Aug 03, 2009

This cast describes how big to size a team when forming it.

What To Delegate Jul 25, 2009

This cast recommends simple choices for what to delegate to our directs.

Manager Tools Coaching Model - Updated - Part 3 Jul 19, 2009

Part 3 of our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Manager Tools Coaching Model - Updated - Part 2 Jul 19, 2009

Part 2 of our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Manager Tools Coaching Model - Updated - Part 1 Jul 12, 2009

Part 1 of our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Coaching Model.

Fighting The Downturn Silence Jul 05, 2009

This cast describes how to combat the normal tendency of directs to communicate LESS during a downturn.

Simple DiSC®, Delegation, And Project Management - Part 2 Jun 28, 2009

In this cast, we conclude our conversation on how to delegate and manage projects more effectively based on the DiSC profiles of your team members.

Simple DiSC, Delegation, And Project Management - Part 1 Jun 22, 2009

This cast describes how to delegate and manage projects more effectively based on the DiSC profiles of your team members.

Change Leadership, What's My Visual - Part 2 Jun 14, 2009

In this cast, we conclude our conversation about beginning change efforts in any organization

Change Leadership, What's My Visual - Part 1 Jun 07, 2009

This cast describes how to begin any effort to change an organization.

Project Manager One on Ones - Part 2 May 31, 2009

The conclusion of our discussion on Project Manager One on Ones.

Project Manager One on Ones - Part 1 May 25, 2009

This cast explains the basics of how to have One on Ones with project team members who do not report to you.

Phone One on Ones May 17, 2009

We've said it a hundred times, but we've never covered the basics of HOW to conduct a One on One on the phone. Clearly it works - Mark has shared that over half of the O3s he's done have been over the phone. Here's how.

Coaching the Meeting Delegation- Part 2 May 10, 2009

This cast concludes our discussion on how to coach one of our directs on how to run our staff meeting which we have delegated to them.

Coaching the Meeting Delegation- Part 1 May 03, 2009

This cast describes how to coach one of our directs on how to run our staff meeting which we have delegated to them.

Staff Meeting Delegation and Succession Planning Apr 26, 2009

This cast describes how to delegate running your staff meeting as part of succession planning.

One Less Thing - Free Up Your Calendar Apr 19, 2009

This cast describes an executive priority management technique - One Less Thing - to free up your calendar.

The Feedback Continuum Apr 12, 2009

This cast describes how to give negative feedback in an escalating way, over time, to improve performance.

Systemic Feedback Apr 05, 2009

What do we do when we've tried giving negative feedback but it doesn't seem to be working? We've given repeated instances of feedback, and yet we don't see a change in a direct's behavior? We give systemic feedback. And it's easy to give - it's just the four step standard feedback model with a change in focus. If you already know how to give standard feedback, systemic feedback is simple to implement...yet its simplicity belies its power. Really well delivered systemic feedback is exceptionally hard to ignore, and lays excellent groundwork for further efforts if the direct doesn't change his or her behavior.

Layoff Communications Part 1: Openly Confidential Mar 29, 2009

This cast how to talk about layoffs when they are being considered. Many managers are torn when it comes to layoffs. Most of us know that when they happen, they're probably inevitable. We understand that layoffs are often a painful necessity (even though they're an admission of failure). We also know that the thought, rumor, or knowledge of layoffs is likely to create questions from our team. Just a rumor of a rumor will induce fear. So what are the rules about communicating about layoffs? What do we say when asked? How should we say it? Can we lie?

Bad Boss #1 - When You Have Directs Mar 22, 2009

Most of us, when we have an angry and demeaning boss, tend to worry about ourselves first. We have to deal with most of the yelling, and most of the abuse. But if we have directs, we've got an additional responsibility. And our directs may be somewhat sheltered, but our boss can be REALLY threatening and fear‐inducing. We have a relationship of SOME sorts with this bad boss. But it's likely our directs ONLY see our boss at his or her worst. And, we almost always underestimate how much more fear our directs feel for their "skip‐boss" than we do. We've got to talk to our directs about this kind of boss, in a professional way, and we've got to have a consistent approach for dealing with the problems an angry and demeaning boss creates for our team. Here's how.

Deciding Between Two Good Candidates Mar 15, 2009

This cast describes how to decide between two good candidates in a hiring situation. We're NOT going to tell everyone who's trying to decide between two candidates whom they should pick. What we are going to do with this cast is tell you what factors are most effective in determining whom to hire, as well as walking you through a simple process for the decision.

The Heart of Feedback Mar 08, 2009

This cast describes behaviors for managers to engage in to ensure that they deliver feedback ethically and professionally. Mark recently had an experience that was somewhat chilling for him. He was talking to a manager who wanted to show him how good he was at improving. This was a High D, forceful manager who described himself as "a recovering jerk". He was following the Manager Tools Feedback Model, but wasn't getting results? Why is that? Because he was violating the purpose of feedback, to encourage effective behavior. Feedback that meets the purpose of feedback must come from a positive place, from emotions of love and not fear, of respect and not intimidation. We have a series of recommendations for all of us to do before we give feedback, so that we all stay mindful of WHY we're giving feedback, and what its purpose is: to encourage effective behavior.

Effective Meetings - No Laptops Mar 01, 2009

This cast describes why and how to run your meetings without laptops. For our original cast on the Effective Meetings Protocol, check out "Effective Meetings - Get Out of Jail!"

The Starter Feedback Model - Part 2 Feb 22, 2009

In this cast, we complete our 2-part series on the Starter Feedback Model, an EVEN SIMPLER method for delivering feedback.

The Starter Feedback Model - Part 1 Feb 15, 2009

This cast describes an EVEN SIMPLER method for delivering feedback to help those managers who are struggling to implement it.

How To Handle Two Viable Job Candidates Feb 08, 2009

This cast describes what to do when a manager has two candidates for a job that meet the standard, but you can only offer one candidate.

Bench Development in a Downturn Feb 01, 2009

This cast discusses a way to build your recruiting "bench" during market downturns.

Horstman's Law of Project Management - Part 4 Jan 25, 2009

Part 4 of our series on Horstman's Law of Project Management.

Horstman's Law of Project Management - Part 3 Jan 18, 2009

Part 3 of our series on Horstman's Law of Project Management.

Horstman's Law of Project Management - Part 2 Jan 11, 2009

Part 2 of our series on Horstman's Law of Project Management.

Horstman's Law of Project Management - Part 1 Jan 04, 2009

In this cast we describe Horstman's Law of Project Management: Who Does What By When. We've talked and joked about it many times, and this cast will put to rest the details of Horstman's Law of Project Management (HLPM). Mark came up with it several years ago, to help a group of young managers get over their fear of working on fairly complex software development projects. It was actually born over a dinner at Mexican restaurant in Dallas! The concept is simple: all projects are simply tasks, done by people, within certain time frames. Despite all protestations to the contrary, no matter how complex the project, they all boil down to who is responsible for doing something, what they're responsible for, and when they have to have it done by. Complex tools can be helpful, but only on really large projects (and almost nobody looks at them anyway ;-) ). Keep it simple with HLPM. Here's how.

Rolling Out The Trinity - Updated - Part 3 Aug 31, 2008

Part 3 of our updated guidance on how to gradually implement The Manager Tools Management Trinity (One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation). When managers try to implement all the tools all at once it can end in disaster. Most of us can only learn one new significant skill at a time. And that goes for our directs, too: they're learning along with us. This process for implementation will ensure success in your roll out.

Rolling Out The Trinity - Updated - Part 2 Aug 23, 2008

Part 2 of our updated guidance on how to gradually implement The Manager Tools Management Trinity (One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation). When managers try to implement all the tools all at once it can end in disaster. Most of us can only learn one new significant skill at a time. And that goes for our directs, too: they're learning along with us. This process for implementation will ensure success in your roll out.

Rolling Out The Trinity - Updated - Part 1 Aug 17, 2008

Part 1 of our updated guidance on how to gradually implement The Manager Tools Management Trinity (One on Ones, Feedback, Coaching, and Delegation). When managers try to implement all the tools all at once it can end in disaster. Most of us can only learn one new significant skill at a time. And that goes for our directs, too: they're learning along with us. This process for implementation will ensure success in your roll out.

Effective Meetings - There’s More! Aug 16, 2005

Today we wrap-up our conversation on effective meetings, as well as answer some listener questions on meetings, one-on-ones, and feedback.

Effective Meetings - Part Two Aug 08, 2005

Today we cover the second in our series on effective meetings.

Effective Meetings - Get Out of Jail! Aug 01, 2005

How to do you feel about most of the meetings you attend? Are they productive, or generally considered a waste of time? Do you attend too many meetings? How do others value the meetings *you* run? If you are like most managers we know, your experience in running and participating in meetings is less than ideal.

The Juggling Koan Jan 14, 2007

Mark recently blogged with our first ever management koan, "What Would An Effective Manager Do?" In this cast, we share the answer.

Improve Your Feedback Feb 17, 2006

It's been quite a while since we talked about feedback. We think one of the reasons for that is that there's some negativity to it. What we mean by that is that one on ones are an easy winner. It's about your team member, they want more time with you, a half hour with you every week seems too good to be true. And, if you've stuck to it, you've noticed improvements in areas that go beyond just employee relationships. Maybe they're kind of hard on your schedule INITIALLY, but they're perceived positively.

Feedback - Revisited! Oct 10, 2005

We've received a great many questions, comments, and kudos for our show in July on the Feedback Model. Many listeners are discovering the power of feedback, of taking it out of the realm of the rare and into the stream of the every day. Not to sound repetitive, but most managers see feedback as akin to holding their breath - waiting as long as possible, and then creating a lot of sound and often fury. The Feedback Model tells us to see feedback like breathing - so regular as to become unnoticed.Many of you have written asking questions about how to counter some of the typical responses to the feedback you give. "What do I do or say when they tell me they'll 'think about it'? What if they SAY they'll make the change, only to continue in their ineffective behavior patterns? As you might imagine, we've dealt with these issues before, and this show talks about the approach to take, and once again, gives you SPECIFIC things to say and why they work.We do a brief review of the feedback model at the front of the cast, but still encourage you to give a listen to our original cast, in the July Archives.

Manager Tools Delegation Model - Updated Aug 22, 2005

Our updated guidance on the Manager Tools Delegation Model.

Manager Tools Feedback Model - Updated - Part 3 Jul 18, 2005

Part 3 of our guidance describing the most effective method of letting your directs know how they are performing: Feedback. Feedback shows someone the impact of their behavior, allowing them to change ineffective actions or continue doing things that help the team achieve its goals.

Manager Tools Feedback Model - Updated - Part 2 Jul 18, 2005

Part 2 of our guidance describing the most effective method of letting your directs know how they are performing: Feedback. Feedback shows someone the impact of their behavior, allowing them to change ineffective actions or continue doing things that help the team achieve its goals.

Manager Tools Feedback Model - Updated - Part 1 Jul 18, 2005

Part 1 of our guidance describing the most effective method of letting your directs know how they are performing: Feedback. Feedback shows someone the impact of their behavior, allowing them to change ineffective actions or continue doing things that help the team achieve its goals.

Questions and Answers on One-on-Ones Jul 10, 2005

In today's show we continue our conversation on one-on-ones. In addition to a brief review (very brief -- not a substitute for listening to the previous two shows!), we review a number of questions and finer points.

Manager Tools One On Ones - Updated - Part 3 Jul 04, 2005

Part 3 of our detailed guidance on how to conduct the most important "manager tool" we've ever known or seen: Manager Tools One On Ones. These meetings help managers build trust, the professional measurement that correlates better than any other with results and retention.

Manager Tools One On Ones - Updated - Part 2 Jul 04, 2005

Part 2 of our detailed guidance on how to conduct the most important "manager tool" we've ever known or seen: Manager Tools One On Ones. These meetings help managers build trust, the professional measurement that correlates better than any other with results and retention.

Manager Tools One On Ones - Updated - Part 1 Jul 04, 2005

Part 1 of our detailed guidance on how to conduct the most important "manager tool" we've ever known or seen: Manager Tools One On Ones. These meetings help managers build trust, the professional measurement that correlates better than any other with results and retention.

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