Tips for Improving Your Geographically Distributed Agile TeamMany people on agile teams have at least one person who is not collocated. Those on collocated teams indicate that more of their projects are successful; those on far-located teams have the highest number of challenged projects. What can you do if you're part of a geographically distributed team?
Praise—and How to Give It RightGenuine praise can do many positive things for the workplace, such as rewarding work well done, raising self-esteem, boosting morale, and increasing productivity. Even so, it's possible to overdo it or even give praise the wrong way. Read on for tips on the best ways to give praise in the workplace.
Three Things Managers Should Not Say to Their EmployeesBeing the boss means getting your employees to work well, and that involves communication. There are some ways of saying things that are better than others—and there are some things that are just better left unsaid. If you're a manager, here's a reminder of three phrases you should do without.
How Serving Is Your Leadership?Some managers don’t realize that they are not their titles. The value they should bring is the "plus": the management, plus their relationship with their peers, the people they manage, and the systems and environment they enable or create. If you're a manager, are you providing servant leadership?
How Sending Workers Home Can Save Companies Big BucksWorking from home is becoming easier thanks to smarter mobile devices and better online software. Most people think virtual work is only beneficial to the employee, but new studies prove that companies can save money from this practice, too.
How Employers Really Benefit from Those “Best Employer” RankingsSeveral entities compile data and publish annual “best employers to work for” studies. In addition to bragging rights, there are many other valuable benefits the employers on those lists stand to gain—and also some lessons for organizations hoping to get on the lists. Read on.
Design Each Team’s Project to Optimize at the Program LevelIf you are part of a program, it’s not enough to design your project for your team. You have to consider the needs of the program, too. Each team needs to ask itself, “How do we deliver what the rest of the program needs, as the program needs it?” Aim to meet deliverables—not control your people.
Has Your Company Culture Turned Sour?Company culture can make a job function that is normally boring and unappealing into one that is entertaining and emotionally rewarding. Bad company culture, on the other hand, can derail productivity and leave employees feeling unfulfilled. Read on to see if your company's culture has turned sour.
