Bare Knuckle People Management

So Now You’re a Manager...

Until now, you built your success on your own hard work. Now you’ve become a manager, and you must transform a group of “poor excuses for employees” into high achievers. You have the skills you need; you just have to learn to cope with your team’s odd personalities. While no two workers are alike, you can identify specific types and exploit their individual and team potential.

“The People Principles”

You need a management philosophy, that is, a set of standards to guide you. Use these seven People Principles as a framework for turning your motley crew into a cohesive unit:

1. “Team-wide rules” don’t work – Company rules made for the masses don’t really fit smaller teams. Become more productive by tailoring rules to suit individual employees’ strengths, weaknesses and preferences. Don’t be too controlling, too nice or too ready to start hollering.
2. “Own your own” behavior – Acknowledge your role in boss-employee relations that turn sour. Talk out any conflict with a problem staffer until you reach a working resolution. Admit it when you’ve made a mistake or handled an interaction poorly...