By Marcia Zidle on September 18, 2012
In coaching managers on how to stop working harder and star working smarter, I introduce them to a tool called a priority audit. It helps them assess a project-task-assignment, which can be as small as taking an hour or two or as big as something taking a few weeks or months, before diving in. These […]
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By Marcia Zidle on September 4, 2012
Do you manage by walking around? What do you see? People excited about their job or people just going through the motions? When employees care about their work and their company —when they are engaged—they use discretionary effort. This means the engaged computer programmer works overtime when needed, without being asked. This means the engaged […]
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By Marcia Zidle on August 21, 2012
Recently I watched my husband complete a crossword puzzle. He started with four down because that is where it was easiest for him. Then he focused his efforts on a small section of the puzzle trying to respond to both the across and down clues until he got stuck. After awhile he moved to another […]
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By Marcia Zidle on August 14, 2012
If I was a fly on the wall what would I hear your employees say? Would it something like this? “He won’t allow me to make even the simplest decisions. She has to sign off on everything. It’s hard to do my job because there’s too much red tape.” Is it possible your staff is talking […]
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By Marcia Zidle on July 24, 2012
Management is a team sport not a superstar sport. What happens over time is that some managers begin to believe it’s all about them. It’s not, it’s just the opposite.I t’s about the people they lead. Allan Ditchfield, former executive at AT&T, realized that you cannot lead without getting involved. “When leaders remain behind their […]
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By Marcia Zidle on July 10, 2012
Recognition: For something so simple why is so hard to compliment people when they do something well or to encourage them as they work to improve their performance? I’ve have heard a variety of reasons, in my training and coaching, why some managers let encouragement and recognition drift. “I don’t need recognition. I am self-driven. My people […]
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By Marcia Zidle on June 26, 2012
“I have begun enforcing disciplinary measures on an employee due to her lateness and absenteeism. I know the employee is telling ‘her side of the story’ to anyone who will listen. How can I make my small team aware of this appropriately?” My advice would be not to make your team aware of another employee’s […]
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By Marcia Zidle on June 12, 2012
Turnover is costly – just how costly? Research studies have shown that the cost of replacing a professional or managerial employee runs 1.5 to 3.0 times his or her annual salary. And it can cost up to five times annual salary if you are looking at the intellectual capital – what a key person knows […]
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By Marcia Zidle on May 31, 2012
Do you manage by walking around? What do you see? People excited about their job or people just going through the motions? Here are 10 ways, that do not cost much if anything, to turn “it’s just a job” employees into engaged, energized employees. 1. Spend time out in the field. Ask your employees how […]
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By Marcia Zidle on May 29, 2012
Does your hiring process consist of proven practices or just a hodgepodge of activities that get into gear when someone says, “I need more people” or “Sally has left and we need someone to take her place NOW?” Smart hiring is more than posting requisitions, screening, interviewing and checking references. It is a series of specific […]
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Carter McNamara of Authenticity Consulting, LLC, provides organization development and consultant training services, and is developer of the Free Management Library. [Read more ...]
Marcia Zidle, a certified career strategist and business coach, works with high potential, high impact executives, managers and professionals to advance their careers and grow their leadership capabilities. [Read more ...]