Act On It

by Deep, Sam; Sussman, Lyle

• ISBN13: 9780738202457
• ISBN10: 0738202452
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-14
• Publisher: Basic Books

Summary

Known for their expert advice on getting ahead in business and staying motivated on the job, Deep and Sussman now apply their popular, practical style to the vital task of any manager: problem solving. From honing communication skills and personal effectiveness strategies, delegating tasks, and holding employees accountable to assessing performance, hiring, firing, and dealing with a problematic boss of your own,Act on Itwill time and again provide the swiftest route to the best solution by applying a simple problem-solving technique:Analyze your situationChoose the best strategy andTrack your choiceSure to inspire confidence in high-level executives and general supervisors alike,Act on Itis the foolproof decision-making handbook all managers need in their top drawer.

Author Biography

Sam Deep is a consultant and trainer from Pittsburgh. Lyle Sussman, Ph.D., is Professor of Management at the University of Louisville. Their other books include Yes, You Can! (80,000 sold) and What to Say to Get What You Want (60,000 sold). The Sandler Sales Institute provides sales training through its national network of 180 affiliates. Sam Deep is a consultant and trainer from Pittsburgh. Lyle Sussman, Ph.D., is Professor of Management at the University of Louisville. Their other books include Yes, You Can! (80,000 sold) and What to Say to Get What You Want (60,000 sold). The Sandler Sales Institute provides sales training through its national network of 180 affiliates.

Table of Contents

Eight Ways to Use This Book	xi
1 The Power to ACT	1	(8)
2 Personal Effectiveness Solutions	9	(26)
How can I reduce my workload?	11	(2)
How can I cope with an overwhelming workload?	13	(2)
Am I delegating enough?	15	(2)
Should I delegate this particular responsibility?	17	(2)
Can I make better use of my time?	19	(2)
What time wasters might I be guilty of?	21	(2)
Am I remaining current?	23	(2)
Am I overly resistant to change?	25	(2)
How can I juggle multiple assignments?	27	(2)
Am I disorganized?	29	(2)
Am I managing my stress?	31	(2)
Do I have emotional intelligence?	33	(2)
3 Communication Solutions	35	(26)
How can I improve my listening?	37	(2)
How can I improve my speaking skills?	39	(2)
How can I improve my written communication?	41	(2)
How can I nail this speech I have to make?	43	(2)
What expectations should I have for employee integrity?	45	(2)
What expectations should I have for teamwork?	47	(2)
What expectations should I have for employee communication?	49	(2)
What expectations should I have for quality performance?	51	(2)
What expectations should I have for leadership?	53	(2)
What expectations should I have for customer service?	55	(2)
What's the best way to communicate bad news?	57	(2)
How can I get employees to keep me informed?	59	(2)
4 Employee Accountability Solutions	61	(26)
Should I rewrite job descriptions?	63	(2)
Should I fire this employee?	65	(2)
What will make my employees more accountable?	67	(2)
Have I lost control?	69	(2)
What should I do about an employee who accuse me of unfair treatment?	71	(2)
How should I respond when an employee treats me disrespectfully?	73	(2)
Should I confront rumors about inappropriate employee behavior?	75	(2)
How can I make casual dress a winning proposition for all?	77	(2)
What should I do about an employee with a personal hygiene problem?	79	(2)
What should I do about an employee with a substance abuse problem?	81	(2)
How should I discuss poor performance during a performance appraisal?	83	(2)
What should I do with a nonperforming employee?	85	(2)
5 Employee Empowerment Solutions	87	(26)
How can I get people to focus on continuous improvement?	89	(2)
Have I created a positive work climate for my team?	91	(2)
How do we make this a great place to work?	93	(2)
How can I get employees to be proud to work here?	95	(2)
How can I gain employee commitment if I can't promise job security?	97	(2)
How can I reduce employee resistance to change?	99	(2)
Am I micromanaging?	101	(2)
How can I increase creativity on the team?	103	(2)
Am I setting goals that are both motivating and attainable?	105	(2)
How can I improve the return on investment in training?	107	(2)
Should we pay for performance?	109	(2)
Who are the best candidates to become supervisor?	111	(2)
6 Teamwork Solutions	113	(24)
What can I do to head off conflict on my team?	115	(2)
When should I referee a conflict between two employees?	117	(2)
What should I do about two battling employees?	119	(2)
Do we need to increase our team's effectiveness?	121	(2)
Should I form self-directed teams?	123	(2)
What should our shared values be?	125	(2)
What can I do about an employee who's not a team player?	127	(2)
How do I make our meetings more productive?	129	(2)
Are we taking advantage of diversity?	131	(2)
How do I make part-timers feel part of our team?	133	(2)
How do I reward stars while promoting teamwork?	135	(2)
7 Leadership Solutions	137	(26)
Should I make this decision myself or involve my team?	139	(2)
Should I hire this person?	141	(2)
What are the best interview questions?	143	(2)
Do I lead with integrity?	145	(2)
How can I make this merger a success?	147	(2)
What should I do if an employee says, ``Match this offer or I'm leaving''?	149	(2)
Should I implement flextime?	151	(2)
What's the best way to MBWA (manage by wandering around)?	153	(2)
Should I socialize with people I supervise?	155	(2)
Is my leadership style working?	157	(2)
What's the best way to keep the vision alive?	159	(2)
Do I walk the talk?	161	(2)
8 Coworker Solutions	163	(16)
With whom should I be associating at work?	165	(2)
What can I do if I work with a deadweight?	167	(2)
What can I do if I work with a drain?	169	(2)
What should I do about a coworker who's trying to make me look bad?	171	(2)
What can I do to resolve conflict with a coworker?	173	(2)
What can another manager and I do to get our departments to cooperate?	175	(2)
What can I do to be more appreciated and accepted by my peers?	177	(2)
9 Boss Solutions	179	(22)
What can I do about a boss who countermands my decisions?	181	(2)
How should I respond when my boss says I'm not doing a good job?	183	(2)
What's the best way to sell a new idea to my boss?	185	(2)
Should I give my boss constructive criticism?	187	(2)
What's a good way to criticize my boss?	189	(2)
What should I do if my boss engages in illegal or unethical activity?	191	(2)
What should I do if my boss is a jerk?	193	(2)
What should I do if my boss is an enigma to me?	195	(2)
What should I do about a policy I don't support?	197	(2)
How can I tell if my boss believes I'm doing a good job?	199	(2)
10 Personal Career Solutions	201	(26)
How can I build my credibility?	203	(2)
Do I need a leadership course?	205	(2)
What might I be doing to earn disrespect?	207	(2)
Whom should I choose as a mentor?	209	(2)
Should I accept this new assignment?	211	(2)
Which job offer should I accept?	213	(2)
Is it time for me to quit?	215	(2)
How can I hold on to this job?	217	(2)
What's the best way to become more promotable?	219	(2)
Is my life in balance?	221	(2)
What should I do about being passed over for promotion?	223	(2)
Should I take a pay cut and stay in this job?	225	(2)
Should I volunteer for an assignment no one else wants?	227