One amazing, but sadly true, fact of today’s advances in communication tools is that we really don’t communicate much better than in the past. Indeed one recent study determined the number one advancement in communication tools was the availability of cheap on-line airfares. The airline trip was needed to clarify some earlier communication sent out electronically! Therefore a Manager/Supervisor must be able to clearly communicate to his/her direct reports in an effective manner. The following are 14 essential truths you must understand in order to improve your communication skills. 1....

Every parent, educator, and manager knows that “Nintendo children”–those born after 1970 and raised on video and computer games, Walkmans, the Internet, etc.–are different. Unfortunately, the Gen-X discussion has focused mainly on the youths’ supposedly short attention spans and attention-deficit disorders, ignoring or underemphasizing what is perhaps the most crucial factor–that this under-30 generation thinks, and sees the world, in ways entirely different from their parents. An example: This generation grew up on video games (”twitch speed”), MTV...

There are some very simple guides for delegation. Most people delegate based on not wanting to do something. They simply walk out to their secretary or the closest sub-ordinate and ask them to do/finish the project. These people use delegation as a means to schlep off unwanted work. Almost all work within any organization is important. That does not mean that all work with in an organization is A) fun to do or B) exciting to do or C) challenging or D) any particular person’s favorite thing to do. So when can you / should you consider using delegation? Well the obvious...

This is a story about a man and three dogs.I walk a lot – usually for about half to three-quarters of an hour most mornings. I see a guy with two dogs quite a lot. We chat a little occasionally.Of the two dogs (I know I said three, so hold on a bit), one is a light brown lurcher and is quite friendly and the other is a beautiful black labrador. He is ‘nippy’ as my co-walker tells me, so I have been a bit careful of him, but I always try to stroke him too. Whilst I have always been cautious of dogs, I have always tried my best to make friends with them, wherever I have gone (and...

Have you ever worked with someone who always seemed to have the answers; who always seemed to know what should be done; who could always quote the experts view on a certain situation, but for some reason, just couldn’t perform as expected? Working with a client last month I was struck by the fact that my client was already very knowledgeable about the issue that we were discussing. As we talked through the situation it was clear to me that my client was well read on this subject. He also recounted for me several situations where his peers had similar issues and exactly how they were handled. While...

1. Let people know what you expect. If people know whats expected of them, thats what theyll do–if they dont know whats expected, theyll do something else. Communicate clear and unambiguous performance expectations and hold people accountable for their achievement. 2. Be a systems thinker. Remind people of their interconnectedness and that something happening in one area affects all other areas. If people know how what they do impacts on others, theyll try harder to do it well. 3. Keep people informed. Dont assume that others can read your mind. If theres something going on, let them in on...