Managing People at Work

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Managing People at Work

How to respond when half your team is burned out

Your burned-out employees aren’t imagining things—and the damage extends far beyond their personal well-being. New research from management consulting firm Eagle Hill Consulting shows that 55% of U.S. workers currently experience burnout, and the consequences reach into every corner of organizationa

Why good managers must sometimes take a stand

Withholding a perspective rarely keeps the peace. Instead, it creates uncertainty, weakens accountability and signals that difficult issues can be sidestepped rather than addressed. When leaders stay silent in moments that call for clarity, teams begin questioning whether their manager stands for th

4 ways to generate good ideas in your meetings—and keep them alive

To keep good ideas alive long enough to be evaluated—and possibly transformed into real solutions—managers need to recognize the common pitfalls that shut innovation down before it starts. Here are four of the biggest culprits and how to avoid them.

Helping employees stay grounded when stress spikes at year-end

Workplaces shift noticeably in December as projects collide with personal commitments and employees try to keep pace with rising expectations. Devjani Mishra, shareholder at Littler Mendelson, sees how quickly tension builds when deadlines tighten, communication narrows and employees start carrying

Giving feedback to an underperformer

Correcting mistakes and improving performance are a big chunk of what you do. Such feedback is necessary to put an employee on the right track. But what should you do if an employee reacts defensively when given feedback?

Why understanding and embracing neurodiversity helps build stronger teams

Most teams pride themselves on being “collaborative,” but this trait only exists when people feel safe enough to show up as themselves. When workers feel pressured to mask who they are, managers lose out on creativity, problem-solving and trust that never gets the chance to develop.

The post-promotion trap: How new managers lose their edge and strategies to regain control

A promotion is supposed to confirm that you’re ready for the next level, which is why it’s so jarring when the role suddenly feels harder than expected. Many managers hit this wall because they’re promoted for performance, not leadership readiness.

Micro-moments of leadership: Actions managers can take in 30 seconds or less

Managers often make the biggest impact during the split-second interactions that happen with their employees, rather than during performance reviews or longer conversations. Used well, micro-moments steady employees, remove roadblocks and make larger conversations smoother—or unnecessary.

6 ways to perform pain-free performance reviews

Does conducting performance reviews make you feel like a teacher filling out report cards? While company policies may require scoring employees on various criteria, your attitude toward the process and that of your staff can improve dramatically when you focus on coaching over judging.

Holiday party or holiday pressure? Creating celebrations that boost morale

Office holiday parties can be more stressful than festive—from awkward small talk and forced gift exchanges to employees feeling unsure about how to behave or how much to participate. As a manager, you can set the tone for a season that feels inclusive and enjoyable without the pressure of a traditi