Managing People at Work

Sign in Subscribe

Topic

Featured Content

A collection of 76 issues

7 strategies to keep teams engaged during the end-of-year energy dip

Have members of your team returned from Thanksgiving looking like they’re still sluggishly recovering from their turkey dinner? With pressure to finish up work assignments, manage familial and social obligations, and deal with the emotional nature of the holidays, ‘tis the season for energy drain. W

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

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

Holiday checklist: Set boundaries that keep everyone sane and on schedule

Feel like your workplace is experiencing the calm before the storm? With holiday momentum increasing each day, now is the time to take measures that ensure that the final weeks of 2025 operate as smoothly as Santa’s workshop.

Turn a simple thank-you into genuine gratitude that resonates with employees

Sure, telling everyone on your team “Good job” and “Thanks for all you do” is a nice gesture before sending them off to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. But generic words of appreciation aren’t likely to make a lasting impression. What might you say and do instead to bridge this gratitude gap?

How to build a team culture that truly supports taking time off

Nearly one in four U.S. employees failed to take a single vacation day in the past year. Many others took fewer than five days, despite having paid time off available. Managers may see this as a sign of dedication, but it’s often a red flag for burnout—and the costs of that can linger far longer tha

Why the best managers set clear boundaries

As a manager, you want staff members to come to you with questions, ideas and concerns. But leaders who equate approachability with “tell me anything, anytime, anywhere” risk ending up unproductive and burned out.

How to glean honest feedback from your employees

Want to know what your employees think of your managerial skills? Good luck obtaining honest answers. But just as employees reap benefits from receiving feedback, so could you.

How to close communication gaps in diverse teams

A team can share the same goals yet run into daily friction if members don’t share the same communication style. Differences in language, dialect or even nonverbal gestures can turn routine conversations into moments of confusion. For managers, the challenge isn’t limited to ensuring directions are

5 ways to solve simple problems before they spiral into big ones

While they might not seem that way in the moment, early signals of trouble can be a godsend. They create awareness at a point where you can act before matters escalate. Here are five ways managers can learn about and handle simple problems before they turn into something more.