Just promoted to administrator from within the ranks? Congratulations . . . and beware. It's not easy to manage former peers. Friendships have to change, and so do whatever hard feelings the new administrator had with other staffers. And relationships aside, about two thirds of the staff now reporting to the new administrator think they should have been given the job. Here … [Read more...] about 9 critical rules for managing former peers when you get promoted
Managing staff
4 elements of a successful summer intern program
What makes a successful summer recruiting program? A Philadelphia firm whose program is consistently ranked among the top five firms attributes its success to several factors, says Mindy Herczfeld, director of legal recruiting for Cozen O'Connor. These factors include work variety, strong attorney involvement, and a not-so-competitive environment—as well as personal mentors … [Read more...] about 4 elements of a successful summer intern program
How to maintain a well-rested staff and reduce the risk of costly mistakes
It's time for a wake-up call: Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of U.S. employees say they work while tired, with nearly one-third (31 percent) saying they do so very often, according to a survey by staffing firm Accountemps. The costs of working tired—both for professionals and the businesses they work for—are high: Respondents cite lack of focus or being easily distracted … [Read more...] about How to maintain a well-rested staff and reduce the risk of costly mistakes
5 proven ways to motivate your staff without spending money
Motivation isn't a matter of money. It's a matter of management, says business and leadership coach Monica Wofford of Contagious Companies in Orlando, FL. Here she lists five good motivators that are within reach of any administrator, regardless of the payroll budget. Fit the person to the job Find out what each staffer's skills and interests are and make an effort to align … [Read more...] about 5 proven ways to motivate your staff without spending money
Setting up new employees for long-term success
By Piyush Patel bio So you've finally found the perfect candidate to fill that role. You've spent endless hours reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and now you've found a great person who is ready to join your team. Now you need a plan on how to get them set up, trained, and assimilated into the company—a process known as onboarding. While holding a basic … [Read more...] about Setting up new employees for long-term success
8 quick ways to improve communication with your staff
Only a great communicator can be a great manager. Here are eight rules for communicating well with staff. 1 Give reasons Always give complete information on decisions that affect staff. If there's no reason given for some new requirement, don't expect people to get behind it and support it. They start second guessing the why of it, and that second guess is apt to be negative. … [Read more...] about 8 quick ways to improve communication with your staff
Being a great leader by applying what I’ve learned as a mother
By Abby Curnow-Chavez bio With Mother's Day just behind us, I've been thinking about the connection between motherhood and my other "job" – not the one of mom to teenage boys, but my work as a leadership consultant and executive coach. As parents, we are "leading leaders" and just like leaders in business, shifting from parenting to "leading leaders" requires an adjustment … [Read more...] about Being a great leader by applying what I’ve learned as a mother
Psychology to use when presenting a staff complaint to a partner
Any complaint from a staffer about a boss is unpleasant to address. But when the alleged culprit is a partner, the situation can get grim. Confronting the partner could put the administrator in a job-threatening position. "It's a touchy situation," says Linnda Durre, PhD, a business consultant and corporate trainer in Winter Park, FL. Durre is also author of Surviving the … [Read more...] about Psychology to use when presenting a staff complaint to a partner
17 benefits that employees like and the firm can afford
A dilemma almost every administrator faces today is how to provide worthwhile staff benefits in an economy that doesn't allow for extra expense. So we researched the benefits that legal offices, as well as other types of businesses, are offering. Some are astounding. Google, for example, provides free haircuts, financial assistance for adoption, free gourmet lunches, and an … [Read more...] about 17 benefits that employees like and the firm can afford
How I use disagreements to build stronger teams
By Audrey Epstein bio Because I facilitate team sessions for a living, I've seen lots of team interactions—all kinds of drama, some shouting and tears, but also lots of laughter, joy, and bold action. Much about teamwork has been researched, dissected, and discussed. Yet lately, I've been thinking a lot about an unexplored topic: how to get team members to … [Read more...] about How I use disagreements to build stronger teams