When Managing Multiple Teams, Think Networks—Not HierarchiesThe more complex your program, the harder it is to communicate. But contrary to some management styles, the larger your program, the less you want a hierarchy. It's better to assemble networks of people equally responsible for their problems. Read on for tips on how to organize for multiple teams.
Lessons to Learn from AOL's Recent Firing DebacleA lot of people have heard of AOL, but they may not have known much about Tim Armstrong, the company’s CEO, until last week. Venkatesh Krishnamurthy explains the lessons to learn from Armstrong's public firing of an employee.
Recover from Mistakes and Save Face—as Well as Your JobAs bad as a mistake at work might be, it’s what happens next that matters. With a little self-confidence, you can move past your mistake and learn from it. Read on for tips on how to be proactive in fixing a mistake, dealing with the aftermath, and trying to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Making Telecommuting Work for Your Product Development TeamCan you make telecommuting work for your organization? Of course you can. The question is this: Will it make your product development proceed faster, with more ease and less cost, and allow you the most flexibility? If not, you may want to reconsider having employees telecommute.
Why Scrum Team Members Need to Feel Safe to Admit Their FailuresSteve Vaughn writes on why team members need to feel comfortable when speaking openly—about failures as well as successes—during a standup meeting. People will only speak when they feel safe, and once agile team members feel safe to fail, they can begin to improve.
How and When to Give FeedbackWithout feedback, it's hard for anyone to know where he stands, what he's doing well, and what he could be doing better. But a lot more goes into giving feedback than simply telling someone how you feel. Learn how to get your message across without mixed signals.
How to Be an Effective Team Player at WorkIf you really want to be an effective team player, you have to be willing to consider ideas from others without debating, arguing, or nitpicking every point. This means you need the discipline to listen first and speak second. Read on for more useful ideas on how to contribute to your team at work.
How to Exit a Business Conversation and Leave a Good ImpressionSome people worry about how they’re going to keep a conversation going, but the flip side—ending a conversation that threatens to last forever—also can pose a problem. Naomi Karten gives you some useful exit strategies that will help you end a business conversation without being thought of as rude.
