Manager Tools

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 5

20 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 5 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work indepen...

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 4

13 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 4 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work indepen...

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 3

06 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work indepen...

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 2

27 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work indepen...

Teaching Decision Making - The Responsibility Ladder - Part 1

20 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on using The Responsibility Ladder to teach directs how to go from handling individual tasks to managing their own work indepen...

One On Ones After Conflict

13 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How to handle your One On One with your directs after you've had a disagreement with them, or a conflict.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 3

06 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 2

30 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

Simple Facilitation - Choosing a Plan - Part 1

23 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on how to lead a group from a blank slate to a choice on where to focus on future.

The Written Review Scale - Less Absolute Value

16 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You can and often should deliver a different message verbally than your written comments on a performance review. The key is to moderate your written ...

How to Run Your Staff Meeting - Part 2 - HOF

09 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on running your staff meeting.

How to Run Your Staff Meeting - Part 1 - HOF

02 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on running your staff meeting.

A Professional Sense of Humor - Part 2

26 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on what kind of jokes you can and can't tell as a manager and professional. And why.

A Professional Sense of Humor - Part 1

19 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on what kind of jokes you can and can't tell as a manager and professional. And why.

Is This Normal? Episode 2

12 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Is This Normal? Episode 2

Special Edition - The Wall Street Journal Features Manager Tools

08 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus podcast, Mark comments on the recent Wall Street Journal article that featured Manager Tools.

Teach As If Teach Not Performance Communication

05 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

How to provide some guidance or corrective input when feedback might be more than enough, or to ease a less experienced direct into a performance cult...

Delivering The Performance Review - Part 2 - HOF

01 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Delivering The Performance Review - Part 1 - HOF

28 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our Hall of Fame guidance on delivering a performance review.

Performance Reviews - Part 2 - HOF

24 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews.

Performance Reviews - Part 1 - HOF

21 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 1).

Don't Vote! - How to Get Group Input on Decisions - Part 2

14 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on effective ways to get input for decisions in meetings.

Don't Vote! - How to Get Group Input on Decisions - Part 1

07 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on effective ways to get input for decisions in meetings.

No Surprises In Reviews

31 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It's unprofessional to deliver new information to a direct in a performance review.

Never Rank Candidates

24 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Don't rank candidates as you are interviewing, individually or collectively. It biases the hiring process.

Brainstorming - Part 1 - HOF

17 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In today's fast and flat world, ideas are becoming critical competitive advantages. Managers - and many others - need to be good at getting the most ...

The Two Reasons To Fire Someone

10 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

There are two general reasons to consider firing someone. Only one of them is "job performance." The other is tearing down the team.

Trinity Frequently Asked Questions #1: Why Wait Three Weeks To Start?

03 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps the most frequently asked question at conferences about rolling out the tools in the Management Trinity is why we recommend waiting three week...

Is This Normal?

26 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Our guidance regarding what is normal in professional and organizational life.

Eliminating Bad Attitudes - Part 1

19 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

How to define a direct's "bad attitude" in terms of behaviors, to encourage them to change them.

No Second Emails

12 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Too many of us follow an unanswered email with another email. That's the definition of insanity: doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Politics: Have Nothing Bad To Say

05 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

How to handle the politically delicate moment when you're asked to talk about a difficult person or situation.

8 Positive Feedback Examples

29 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Most managers have too high a standard for giving positive feedback. Here are some simple examples.

Feedback on Status Reporting - Nothing is "Fine"

22 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The common response to questions about status is, "Fine." This isn't acceptable or effective.

Forgive First Mistakes When Interviewing

15 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Even though great interviewers are looking for reasons to say no doesn't mean they aren't forgiving of mistakes in interviews.

Meeting Distractions - Don't Wait To Give Feedback

08 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

What to do when people are on their phones/laptops during meetings, or doing anything else counterproductive to the meeting.

No Panel Interviews

01 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

One of the biggest mistakes in interviewing candidates is using panel interviews. Here's why.

Leading Change - Model And Measure - Part 2

25 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our series on change efforts. If you want your organization to follow you in change efforts - whether it's rolling out the Trinity or anythi...

Leading Change - Model And Measure, Part 1

18 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

If you want your organization to follow you in change efforts - whether it's rolling out the Trinity or anything else - you've got to do 2 things at a...

The Effective Manager Book Promotion

10 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Never introduce a managerial change without first introducing that change. If you're going to make a change to how you manage your team, it works far ...

Brief Before You Change

03 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Never introduce a managerial change without first introducing that change. If you're going to make a change to how you manage your team, it works far ...

How To Scan A Resume - Part 6

26 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 6 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 5

19 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 5 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 4

12 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 4 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 3

05 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 2

30 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

How To Scan A Resume - Part 1

23 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on how to scan a resume to decide whether or not to phone screen a job candidate.

The Foundations Of Presenting Mastery - Part 2

15 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on the foundations of presentation mastery.

The Foundations Of Presenting Mastery - Part 1

08 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on the foundations of presentation mastery.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - Part 3

01 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - Part 2

24 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Getting Your Goals From Your Boss - Part 1

17 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on how to get a better understanding of what your goals are from your boss.

Effective Teleconferencing - Part 2 - HOF

10 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on our recommendations for an effective teleconference meeting, or conference ca...

Effective Teleconferencing - Part 1 - HOF

03 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on our recommendations for an effective teleconference meeting, or conference call.

Feedback and the Shot Across the Bow - HOF

27 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on feedback and the shot across the bow.

MT-2006-08-28 Managing During Mergers and Acquisitions - Part 2

20 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing part 2 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on mergers and acquisitions.

MT-2006-08-21 Managing During Mergers and Acquisitions - Part 1

13 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing part 1 of one of our Hall of Fame casts on mergers and acquisitions.

Being Told "No" To Feedback - Part 2

06 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on what to do if your direct keeps saying no when you ask if they're open to feedback.

Being Told "No" To Feedback - Part 1

28 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on what to do if your direct keeps saying no when you ask if they're open to feedback.

The Effective Manager Value Chain: Fixing Deliverables - Part 3

21 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance on how to transition from talking about ideas and plans and projects in a general way to talking about the specifics of getting...

The Effective Manager Value Chain: Fixing Deliverables - Part 2

14 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on how to transition from talking about ideas and plans and projects in a general way to talking about the specifics of getting...

The Effective Manager Value Chain: Fixing Deliverables - Part 1

07 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on how to transition from talking about ideas and plans and projects in a general way to talking about the specifics of getting...

Simple Interviewer Training - Part 2

31 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on how to teach directs how to interview candidates for hiring.

Simple Interviewer Training - Part 1

24 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on how to teach directs how to interview candidates for hiring.

Feedback Grace Period

17 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Our guidance on how long to wait before giving negative feedback to a direct.

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 4

10 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Part 4 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candi...

MT(2006) - Delivering The Performance Review - Part 2

03 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on on delivering a performance review (part 2).

MT(2006) - Delivering The Performance Review - Part 1

03 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on on delivering a performance review (part 1).

MT(2005) - Performance Reviews - Part 2

27 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 2).

MT(2005) - Performance Reviews - Part 1

27 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on how to prepare performance reviews (part 1).

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 3

20 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candi...

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 2

13 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candi...

How To Do A Phone Screen Interview - Part 1

06 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our guidance on phone screen interviews. Before you bring a hiring candidate for a full day of interviews, phone screen your potential candi...

MT(2010) - Assign Work And Reporting

29 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on assigning work and reporting.

I'm Working On - NOT

22 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

When your directs tell you, "I'm working on X, and Y, and Z," it's often a sign that they lack detailed deliverables and deadlines. Here's how to enco...

No Surprises Reporting

15 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Submitting a report that will raise eyebrows or cause concerns carries with it the responsibility to communicate additionally the what and why to your...

Your Door Is Not Always Open

08 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Your door as a manager doesn't have to *always* be open. More often than not, yes...but it's okay to say no to impromptu requests. Here's how.

New Manager Tools Mobile App Announcement

06 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We're proud to announce the availability of the new Manager Tools Mobile App.

MT(2006) - Employee Retention

01 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on employee retention.

Late Stage Coaching Revisited

26 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts on the Late Stage Coaching Model.

Planning an Offsite - Part 5

18 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The conclusion of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 4

12 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part 4 of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 3

05 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 2

28 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

Planning an Offsite - Part 1

21 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Our guidance for how to plan an offsite meeting.

How To Measure Feedback Implementation - Chapter 1 - Asking

14 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

How Directors can easily measure their subordinate manager's implementation of feedback.

How To Respond To A Departure - Chapter One - Don't Hire

07 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

You DON'T have to hire immediately when you have an opening. The strategic-thinking Effective Manager considers other options first. That's what your...

First Meeting New Direct Series - Relationships Matter

31 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

New Directs need guidance on how to start on the right foot. We recommend a series of meetings in their first weeks, one of which makes clear: you hav...

Leader's Intent - Part 2

24 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Explaining your Leader's Intent - the "why" of the work - allows more individual decision making and speeds up results.

Leader's Intent - Part 1

17 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Explaining your Leader's Intent - the "why" of the work - allows more individual decision making and speeds up results.

What You've Been Taught About Management is Wrong

10 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Mark's July 2015 USI Speech in Paris

Uncommunicative Direct Conversation - This is NOT Micromanagement - Part 2

03 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

How to ask questions of a direct who doesn't communicate during One on Ones, and why this approach is NOT micromanaging.

Uncommunicative Direct Conversation - This is NOT Micromanagement - Part 1

27 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

How to ask questions of a direct who doesn't communicate during One on Ones, and why this approach is NOT micromanaging.

First Meeting New Direct Series - Tell The Truth - Part 2

20 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We recommend spending time with each new member of your team encouraging them to tell the truth, and not be afraid of not knowing how to do something ...

First Meeting New Direct Series - Tell The Truth - Part 1

13 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We recommend spending time with each new member of your team encouraging them to tell the truth, and not be afraid of not knowing how to do something ...

How to Prewire a Meeting

06 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

For the holidays, we're re-releasing one of our Hall of Fame casts ... the Pre-wire. This cast describes a way to prepare for meetings or presentation...

Results and Retention - 10th Anniversary, Part 2

29 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The definition of an Effective Manager is to achieve results while retaining your team members.

Results and Retention - 10th Anniversary, Part 1

23 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The definition of an Effective Manager is to achieve results while retaining your team members.

Leading Change: The Ore Cart - Chapter 1

15 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Not everyone on your team wants to go along with every change you want to create. Luckily, you don't have to win over everyone.

Overcoming Trinity Pushback - Chapter 2 - No Time For One on Ones - Part 2

08 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Some directs will tell you they don't have time for One on Ones. They're wrong, for all kinds of reasons. Here's what to say to get them over the hu...