Manager Tools

Introducing The Effective Senior Manager Conference

Internal Hiring Process - Chapter 1 - Development Feedback

Swimming Upstream - Chapter One - Your Boss's Calendar - Part 2

Swimming Upstream - Chapter One - Your Boss's Calendar - Part 1

Why Scheduling Is The Most Important Component of One On Ones - Part 2

Why Scheduling Is The Most Important Component of One On Ones - Part 1

Why Is Negative Feedback So Hard? - Part 2

In this episode of Manager Tools, Sarah and Mark discuss why delivering negative feedback is challenging for managers. They explore several factors, including previous failures, lack of positive feedback, the previous boss effect, lack of briefing, and lack of practice. They emphasize the importance of building trust t...

Why Is Negative Feedback So Hard? - Part 1

In this episode of Manager Tools, Sarah and Mark discuss why managers find it difficult to deliver negative feedback and what can be done to address this issue. They outline several reasons, including lack of trust, negative past experiences, previous failures, lack of positive feedback, the previous boss effect, lack ...

The Simple Quarterly Performance Review

In this episode of Manager Tools, Sarah and Mark discuss the importance of regular feedback for direct reports and introduce the concept of a Simple Quarterly Performance Review (QPR) as a tool to bridge the gap between daily feedback and annual reviews. They define a QPR as a slimmed-down review of an employee's perfo...

The Purpose of Feedback - Part 3

The Purpose of Feedback - Part 2

The Purpose of Feedback - Part 1

A Basic Team Culture Model For Managers - Part 2

A Basic Team Culture Model For Managers - Part 1

Assumptive Goal Setting - HOF 2024

This podcast episode discusses "Assumptive Goal Setting," a technique for setting more ambitious goals. The hosts explain a three-step process: 1) Don't start by reviewing current performance; 2) Assume the goal is already achieved; 3) Analyze what actions led to this imagined success. They illustrate this with an e...

How to Set Annual Goals - HOF 2024

This three-part podcast series focuses on effective annual goal-setting for managers, specifically critiquing the popular "SMART" goals framework. The hosts introduce their preferred "MT" goals (Measurable and Time-bound), explaining why they are superior and providing six guidelines for creating effective goals. The...

The Tetris Workload Battle - Part 2

The Tetris Workload Battle - Part 1

How To Get Subordinate Managers To Do One On Ones - Part 2

In this episode of Manager Tools, Sarah and Kate discuss how to ensure subordinate managers conduct one-on-one meetings with their direct reports. They emphasize the importance of using simple questions as a measurement system, starting by asking "How many one-on-ones did you do last week?" to gauge quantity before del...

Delivering the Performance Review - HOF 2024

In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss how to conduct effective performance reviews by viewing them as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. This shift in perspective helps reduce stress and leads to better results. They stress the importance of preparation, recommending a pre-meeting email and a clear "...