Biz Tips: Managing People Causes Disengagement

Regardless of whether your title is executive, director or manager, the practice of managing people instead of leading them drives down engagement.

Mandatory corporate fun

BY TOM COX | BUSINESS TIPS CONTRIBUTOR

05.31.13 Thumbnail OfficeFunIf you really want your team members to connect, there are few worse ways than “Mandatory Corporate Fun” that’s too obviously aimed at manipulating them.

How to write a perfect thank you note, again

BY TOM COX | BUSINESS TIPS CONTRIBUTOR

05.24.13 Thumbnail ThankYouOne of my most popular articles is “Three Steps to Writing a Perfect Thank You Note.” If you already write thank-you notes regularly, it’s a great reminder of the basics. For the rest of us who don’t, it provides a simple checklist that lets us dramatically increase the likelihood we’ll offer thanks in writing — and in the process, we’ll discover we’re making huge investments in our relationships. Here’s a fresh take on the topic, with some guidance on avoiding common errors.

Why the boss is always wrong

BY TOM COX | BUSINESS TIPS CONTRIBUTOR

05.10.13 Thumbnail BossIsWrong“Are you ready to be a transference object?” Fred hesitated. The coffee shop seemed to become dead silent. One week earlier, Fred had been offered a dream job, as part time CEO of a startup, working for a proven star CEO — now Chairman — who had also offered to mentor Fred.