When Employees Delegate Up

Steve Marr — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:55:12 +0100

Most positions involve knowing how to delegate work and responsibility to others. You can’t do everything, every time. Moses provided a model when he instructed, “The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” (Deuteronomy 1:17, NASB)

Sometimes your employees will bring issues or decisions to you that they are capable of making, but prefer not to make. Here are several examples come from some of my recent clients.

When Interviewing Applicants, Ask For Solutions

Steve Marr — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:15:17 +0100

When interviewing for high level positions, I like to pose realistic situations and ask prospective candidates for solutions. Asking a candidate to offer real answers to real problems is very helpful in assessing ability and learning how they think.

When someone leaves a position, they usually leave problems that the next person will need to solve. Management is wise to present one or more of these problems to prospective replacements. Existing managers want new senior people to start c...

Evaluate Staff on Key Points

Steve Marr — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:25:39 +0100

Evaluating staff performance is always challenging. It is easy to focus on small details and lose the big picture. When working with clients, I suggest they stay focused on the important issues: the quantity of work, its quality and dependability. To do that you must establish expectations for each key category.

The first criterion for evaluation is the quantity of work. A staff member must produce, provide service to customers, and reach certain standards in sales or prod...

Address Problems with the Whole Group

Steve Marr — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:56:37 +0100

Often we experience a problem that only involves one person. How do you work through the issue? If the issue applies to the larger group, I prefer to address the issue with the entire group as a first step rather than with the individual.

For example, if the issue is late arrivals for meetings and one individual is consistently late, I would write a reminder to the group about the importance of being ready to start on time. If you hold staff meetings, you can reinforce this to the...

Should I Reduce an Employee’s Pay?

Steve Marr — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:57:13 +0100

I received the following question from a reader: “Steve, I have a staff member who has been salaried for about 4 years. Due to a financial situation and some declining in her work performance, I'm thinking about putting her back to hourly wages. However, this will decrease her take home pay about $45 and I am struggling with this. I want to make the right decision and do it right.”

Here is my response:

First, I would decide if the presenting problem ...

Encourage Your Staff Each Day

Steve Marr — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 02:28:31 +0100

Scripture reminds us, "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances" (Proverbs 25:11 NASB).

Look for a positive affirmation to give each colleague each day. Don't be a phony, just real.

Write a note when a staff person has demonstrated outstanding commitment, or reached out to a customer effectively.

As you encourage staff, they will give you more of the performance and results that you encouraged. All of us respond well when we re...

Can You Manage Anyone?

Steve Marr — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 06:20:14 +0100

Some managers believe they can manage anyone, that they have the skills and expertise to turn anyone around. This is an unwise position for several reasons.

Consider Judas. As the one who betrayed the Lord, he was perhaps the most infamous person in b...

Accept Staff Apologies

Steve Marr — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 11:12:07 +0100

When a staff member comes to you to confess a mistake, be pleased that they have come to you rather than letting you find out by accident. Accept the apology graciously, unless the mistake has been repeated many times.  Then, thank the staff person for telling you.   Scripture says to "confess your sins to one another." (James 5:16a, NASB). We need to encourage this practice on the job.

What happens if you give the employee a hard time because of the confession? ...

When A Perspective Employee Asks For A Future Guarantee

Steve Marr — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:21:34 +0100

In the past I have conducted interviews of perspective employees, and been asked to provide extensive future guarantees of promotion, raises, and bonuses.

Jesus taught, "For to everyone who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance;" (Matthew 25:29 NASB). As we trust the Lord, we must also be willing to trust others, including a perspective employer.

I have shared my perspective that the company is entrusting our clients, money, and reputation with the new employe...

Hiring a New Salesperson

Steve Marr — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:09:26 +0100

Increasing sales is a key concern for many businesses. Often, a business owner will hire a salesperson to boost sales. However, the results are often disappointing.

“Drake” hired “Peter” to get new customers. After three months on the job, the results were very disappointing. That’s when Drake asked me for assistance. While Peter had some experience in the industry, he had little sales background. I asked what type of plan was in...

Are you reluctant to release staff who fail to preform because you believe to fire is somehow ...

Steve Marr — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 23:37:47 +0100

If an employee is failing to do the job, seems not to put forth much effort or suffers from the "slows", you need to take action.   Scripture instructs us, "...if anyone will not work, neither let him eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NASB).

First, take the person aside. Explain exactly what changes are required in the job. Be clear, direct, but respectful.

Follow up, give coaching, and encourage when you see improvement.

If the person fails to change, give at lease two warning...

When Disappointed In The Performance Of Staff

Steve Marr — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:42:26 +0100

A key question to ask yourself is were you clear to the person what you expected?

Scripture reminds us, "Through presumption comes nothing but strife" (Proverbs 10:13 NASB)

Poor, unfocused job performance is frustrating to any manager.

Each manager must be sure to have clear, objective, and written performance requirements, including quantity and quality of work expected. Solid on the job performance starts with clarity in your expectations.

Job requirements...

Keeping Assumptions From Messing Up A Customer Order

Steve Marr — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:53:15 +0100

When we receive a customers order, we can easily rush the process, often making assumptions. King Solomon Wrote, "Through presumption comes nothing but strife..." (Proverbs 13:10 NASB).

Develop a procedure of asking questions, and insure you understand the customer’s requirements and preferences. Ask all staff to follow this procedure.

Repeat back the information and be sure the customer understands their responsibility, including delivery schedules and payment terms. In ...

Making Assumptions

Steve Marr — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:17:47 +0100

We can very easily assume staff knows what and how we want work accomplished.

However, what may be obvious to us is unclear to others, especially if they lack your level of business experience. King Solomon wrote, “"Through presumption comes nothing but strife..." (Proverbs 13:10 NASB). Making assumption, failing to be crystal clear in communication may be the biggest weakness for many of us. I need to work on this day by day.

Outline tasks clearly and completely, and sta...

Dealing With Inappropriate anger With Coworkers

Steve Marr — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:24:04 +0100

At times, we may believe ignoring or forgetting about angry outbursts is the right Christian Response. Scripture states, "A man of great anger shall bear the penalty For if you rescue him , you will only half to do it again" (Proverbs 19:19 NASB).

If a staff person explodes in anger, allow them to bear the consequences of the action.

Calmly tell them the outburst is unacceptable, insist on respectful communication. Ask for an apology as the situation dictates.

We know chi...

Diamonds In The Rough

Steve Marr — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:06:12 +0100

Paul wrote regarding Philemon, "who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me" (Philemon 11 NASB). This example from Scripture demonstrates a "worthless" slave, or employee was transformed into a valuable asset, by the truth of Christ.

Before releasing a staff person for job performance, take a good look at your self first.

Have you given proper training for the job? Have you been clear what you expected?

Have you given constructive feedback whe...

As Christians, do we forgive, and forget when an employee fails to follow directions?

Steve Marr — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 21:19:27 +0100

When a staff member ignores a policy, or violates instructions, they must be confronted with the transgression. A full and complete confession must be forthcoming, along with a demonstrated change of attitude and behavior.

If behavior fails to change, then an employee needs to be asked to leave. Staff must be willing to submit to appropriate authority, or discipline and order will break down.

Proverbs states, "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confe...

Update Your Website

Steve Marr — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:08:12 +0100

Outdated website information is annoying. It can also damage your business.

I pulled up to a store at 7:45pm to find that they closed at 8:00 not 9:00 as their website advertised. While I was able to grab what I wanted, other people who arrived as the door was locked left angry. When I asked someone in the store about the time, I was told, “We changed our hours three months ago. The owner just hasn’t updated the website yet.”
Outdated events also send a si...

When You See A Danger, Or Problem In Your Company, Speak Up

Steve Marr — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:15:33 +0100

If you see a problem, speak up, to your boss or coworker. Don't say it's not my job, or be afraid to speak up.

We are responsible for speaking the truth, even to bosses. Then our boss has the responsibility to act.    The Lord spoke to Ezekiel and said, "...If the watchmen sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and a sword comes... his blood I will require from the watchmen's hand" (Ezekiel 33:6 NASB).

Be careful to separate leg...

Pitch In to Help Coworkers

Steve Marr — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:44:27 +0100

Do you have employees who respond, “That’s not my job,” when asked to pitch in to help others. Scripture states, "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NASB).

We need to share workloads appropriately with colleagues, especially to serve customers. We need to do it even when it’s not in our job description. We are not to do our co-workers' jobs; but when necessary, we are to lend a hand. When you help your co...

Blog entries posted in Managing Your Staff