What Great Bosses Know

It's early December. Before you run out of time, leadership expert Jill Geisler suggests you review four key areas. It will help you take advantage of opportunities this year, and plan better for the year ahead. This podcast accompanies a column on the Poynter.org website. Check it out, along with many other resources for managers.

Every organization has its stars - and they deserve special care. They don't deserve to cause needless problems for others, though. In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler takes a look at "low maintenance" and "high maintenance" stars and the manager's role with each.

Today's managers are busier than ever. Some are strained and stressed beyond capacity. Is delegation the answer? It may be, in part. But there are 7 questions managers should ask to determine how to assess their workloads, workflow and priorities. Check out Jill's companion column to this podcast on Poynter.org and learn more from her book: Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know

You don't have to be a manager to be a leader. But what is it that causes people to choose to follow you, even though you're not in charge? The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler shares 4 things you can do to be seen as a leader, no matter what your title. A companion column to this podcast can be found at Poynter.org, titled "4 Ways to Be Seen as a Leader - Even When You're Not in Charge."

Great bosses are trusted. They are known for their integrity. But it doesn't mean they don't have biases. They just know how to defeat them. In this podcast, Poynter's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler identifies six biases that are common among bosses -- and what to do about them. You can read Jill's companion column to this podcast on Poynter.org More leadership lessons are in her book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know"

Many managers are "fixers" -- who just can't help themselves. When they see work that should be improved, they take it out of an employee's hands and repair it themselves. Poynter's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler confesses that she's a recovering fixer who helps others overcome the addiction and become coaches instead. In this podcast, she explains the 5 reasons managers are addicted to fixing, and how to become a coach. She guarantees it will make you and your employees happy!

The recent firing of the editor of the NYT brought attention to the subject of "management style." Just what does that mean? And how do you know what styles work best? The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler, author of "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know," looks at several styles and how to know when one works better than another.

Today's managers often feel swamped by their responsibilities. It's not that they aren't capable; there's just too much to do in too little time. But there are things managers can do to get better control of their schedules. The challenge is: it differs for each person. That's why the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler loves to personally coach managers on the topic. In this podcast, she does the next best thing. Jill offers six questions that may help any manager decide how to set priorities. Enjoy! (Jill also devotes a whole chapter of her book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" to a customized approach to time management, for those who would like a deeper examination -- and more help!)

Introverts have a lot to say in the workplace. But often, they want to think it through, first. Meanwhile, the extroverts are talking up a storm. In this podcast, Poynter's Jill Geisler (an extrovert) shares some wise advice from Butch Ward (an introvert) with whom she often teaches -- and who is an excellent communicator. The advice is for managers and employees alike. Listen -- and don't hesitate to talk about it. :)

There's a particular type of manager that employees resent. The "Bigfoot Boss" takes credit for the work of others -- and takes lots more. In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, shares the damage "Bigfoot Bosses" do to their employees -- and their own careers. But she also shares tips on how to make sure you're never called a "Bigfoot." Check her column on Poynter.org and her book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know."

Are you ready to see if you're a great boss? Poynter's Jill Geisler has a ten question, multiple choice quiz for you. She thinks the correct answers will be obvious, and the wrong ones might even make you smile. Good luck!

No manager is perfect. Even a great boss has flaws. The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler has coached hundreds of bosses who want to fix their all-too-human flaws. She offers 5 tips for repairing your reputation.

Every manager deals with underperforming employees. But management expert Jill Geisler believes it's too easy to just call people "lazy." In fact, she says it can lead managers to avoid dealing with the real reasons employees may be doing less than the manager expects. In this podcast, she offers a series of questions managers should answer before declaring that an employee's performance issues are grounded in laziness.

Are you someone who puts off doing work? Do you wait until the last minute or even talk yourself out of doing something you know you should do? In this podcast, Poynter's Jill Geisler shares tips from her Poynter colleague Butch Ward. Butch confesses to a little procrastination himself, and how he's learned to overcome it. The podcast has five practical tips to make your life easier.

Employees consistently say they get less feedback than they need to do their best at work. They want to know where they stand -- and not just once a year during a formal evaluation. Yet quality, ongoing feedback remains elusive. Poynter's Jill Geisler is on a crusade to help bosses improve their leadership and their feedback. In this podcast, she offers advice on the three key factors to high-impact feedback and why it is so important to performance management. Also: Jill's book: "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" devotes several chapters to helping people build a great feedback tool kit.

Want to be a boss known for helping good ideas take off in your organization? Cultivating great ideas, leading brainstorming, mining for possibilities -- it's more than an art. There's science behind it, too. In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler shares 10 tips for managers who want to boost creativity in the workplace. There's a column that accompanies this podcast, filled with links to research Jill cites. You can find it at Poynter.org.

New managers come to the job with plenty of fears. The Poynter Institute's Leadership and Management expert Jill Geisler has help new supervisors overcome them all. But Jill believes there's something every manager -- especially the most experienced -- can take from the mindset of the newest bosses. She shares that secret in this podcast. Jill's book "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" is available to help managers of all experience levels. It's available everywhere. Check out Jill's "Great Bosses" columns on Poynter.org

You're a good employee. You'd like to have a greater impact in your organization. You have ideas and talent that could make the organization better. It may be tempting to think that the management at your workplace is failing to tap into your strengths and skills -- but what if the real issue is that YOU are letting "artificial barriers" hold you back? "Artificial barriers" are so common that Poynter's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler can list at least ten of them she's helped people tear down. In this podcast, she identifies how you may be getting in your own way, and what to do about it. Jill is the author of the book "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" -- a workshop-in-a-book for anyone who wants to be an effective leader.

Poynter's leadership expert Jill Geisler often teaches about the importance of communication in leadership. This time, the lesson is very personal. As the new year approaches, Jill shares a story that drives home the importance of letting others know the impact they have. It just may inspire you to start the year 2013 in a most positive way.

Jill Geisler has a wish for you in 2013 -- may it be a year of engaged employees at your workplace. How does that happen? And what's the leader's role? In this podcast, Jill shares the tips she crafted in a guest blog post for the management website switchandshift.com. You can see more of Jill's management columns in her "What Great Bosses Know" series on Poynter.org Here new book: WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW is available in many book stores. (Varies from country to country.)

What are the top skills managers need today in order to lead in changing and challenging times? In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership expert Jill Geisler will walk you through a list of ten very concrete and practical skills that can improve your chances of success as a boss. This podcast accompanies her "What Great Bosses Know" column on Poynter.org. For a deeper understanding and tips to build each of these skills, try her new book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" available in stores and online.

Did you know that October 16th is "Boss Day" in the United States? Jill Geisler didn't know it until she happened to see it noted on a calendar. She decided to mark the little-known day by revealing some secrets -- specifically, ten secrets that great bosses CHOOSE to keep from employees, especially very good employees. In this podcast, she shares those secrets and answers the questions: Should you ask your boss to tell you if he or she has kept any of those from you? If you're a boss, how should you reply? This podcast accompanies Jill's "What Great Bosses Know" column on Poynter.org

Recently, Jill Geisler was interviewed by Fortune.com columnist Dan Schawbel. His focus: Can managers and employees really work happily in a bad economy? In this podcast, Jill argues that it's challenging but absolutely possible, and explains why.

Here's some great news for all who aspire to be great bosses. Not only does your good work provide great personal satisfaction for you, it also brings extra value to your organization. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research looks at just how much value quality managers bring the workplace. The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, shares the good news from the study in this podcast.

Is it okay to crave power? Absolutely, says the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler. There's a catch, though. That power needs to be used for good. When asked to deliver the commencement speech to the 2012 graduates of Duquesne University's School of Leadership and Professional Advancement, Jill made "power" the central theme of her address. In this adapted version, she outlines the ten types of power she wishes for leaders -- and adds a bonus. Jill's podcasts accompany her columns on Poynter.org If you want to become a great boss, her new book WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW can help you achieve that goal.

Poynter's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler was asked by Forbes.com to write about managers who say the wrong things at work. She focused on things that aren't illegal -- or outside normal company policies, but rather, common phrases that are offputting to others -- and can reduce a manager's effectiveness. If you don't want to talk yourself into trouble, listen to words Jill shares -- and then keep them to yourself! Jill's new book - "WORK HAPPY: What Great Bosses Know" is available at bookstores everywhere. http://whatgreatbossesknow.com

An assistant coach is convicted of child abuse at Penn State. The University commissions an independent review of how the situation evolved over time and how the university handled it. The review is damning. People at the highest levels of power at Penn State covered it up, says the report. They failed to do the right thing, time and again. In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler looks at how people who believe they are ethical and moral do the wrong thing -- and how you and your organization could too easily do the same. She offers 8 signs of trouble. This podcast is a companion to her column on Poynter.org. Jill's new book"Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" is now in bookstores in print and e-reader formats.

Managers, beware of the 4 "D"s that can cause a tough conversation to go off the rails -- if you let it. Let's say you're talking with an employee who is consistently missing scheduled deadlines for projects, when that person responds with either denial, deflection, disruption or dumping on the boss (that's YOU!) Would you know what to do in each of those circumstances? If you don't, your responses could do more harm than good -- and not just to the other person. It could make you less effective. That's why Jill Geisler of the Poynter Institute shares tips for dealing with the 4 "D"s. Learn more about difficult conversations and so much more in Jill's new book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" and her columns on Poynter.org

Have you ever heard -- or uttered this management mantra: "Hire good people and leave them alone?" Chances are you thought it was a great idea. The Poynter Institute's Jill Geisler explains why this well-intentioned phrase may lead to bad management. Since you want to be a great boss, you'll be interested in her argument and her alternatives. Jill's new book "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" is now available in book stores everywhere.

Every manager today is dealing with change of some sort. But few managers get training in how to help people succeed in changing times. The Poynter Institute's Jill Geisler has reviewed some of the top literature and research on change management, and believes it comes down to 5 key things that can accelerate or impede change. She outlines them in this podcast. You can read more in her new book: "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" -- available everywhere.

Poynter's leadership expert Jill Geisler often warns managers that they have an "Evil Twin" who gets in the way of their success. That twin is born of misperceptions of a manager's actions. In today's podcast, Jill looks at a recent study about the perception of good intentions, and the amazing effect it has on people. She shares specific advice for bosses who want to banish their Evil Twins -- and how to tell their own bosses when they may need to do a little banishing act, too. Jill Geisler's new book: "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" hits bookstores and online sellers on June 5. If you'd like to connect with Jill, visit the book's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhatGreatBossesKnow

"Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" will be released on June 5, 2012. The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, shares important, practical, and helpful insights for anyone who aspires to be a great boss. This video is a preview of the book. www.whatgreatbossesknow.com

How do you turn a group of co-workers into a true team? Great bosses know how to set the environment where people WANT to work together because they TRUST and respect each other. So how do you develop an environment where trust can grow and thrive? The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, shares 8 tips for building and sustaining trust in teams. This podcast accompany's Jill's "What Great Bosses Know" column on www.poynter.org Note: Jill's new book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" hits the bookstores June 5, 2012. www.whatgreatbossesknow.com

It's hard to find a boss today who isn't asking people to do more with less. But how do you know when your requests are pushing people to burnout? How do you make certain you're doing whatever it takes to keep quality high and stress low? The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, provides a checklist -- ten things bosses should check, ten things that provide antidotes to burnout. She even offers one bonus check, too! This podcast accompanies Jill's "What Great Bosses Know" column on Poynter.org Jill's book: "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" will be released in stores on June 5, 2012.

One of the most important things bosses do is grow great employees. It's their job to evaluate each of them and identify and communicate what sets the best apart from others. In her first podcast of 2012, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler shares her list of "12 Great Employees" that great bosses should recognize. In her companion column on Poynter's website: www.poynter.org, Jill points out the challenges that each of these top employees presents for managers and how to meet those challenges. Just a reminder that Jill's book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" will be released in June of 2012.

After a lifetime at CBS News, it probably takes a lot to rattle Bob Schieffer. He’s the steady, mature hand at the network, guiding its political showcase, “Face The Nation,” every Sunday morning. But, as you’ll hear, the anchorman couldn’t help but get a little giddy over the announcement that his show is growing from 30 to 60 minutes. Bob Andelman talked to Schieffer for Poynter Online and MediaWire about his show’s rise in the ratings and its long-awaited reward. You can read more about this story and other breaking journalism news on MediaWire, only at www.Poynter.org.

It used to be that the road leading away from “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” was paved solely with sitcoms – see Steve Carrell and Ed Helms on “The Office,” for example. Bob Andelman recently talked to Mo Rocca for Poynter Online and MediaWire about his more unlikely journey from Daily Show contributor to Correspondent with a capital ‘C’ for “CBS Sunday Morning.” From fake news to the real thing, you might say. You can read more about this story and other breaking journalism news on MediaWire, only at www.Poynter.org.

Read any good management books lately? Jill Geisler has. The head of the Poynter Institute's leadership and management programs takes a look at some of her favorite recent business books for leaders. She's pretty picky -- opting for authors who base their advice on research and who write with flair. If you're looking for a good gift for your manager or yourself, give a listen to Jill's suggestions.

John Cole is president of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists and an editorial cartoonist and writer himself for The Times-Tribune in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He’s the man that 80 or so professional counterparts will look to in the coming weeks and months for an indication of how their profession should respond to any further incidences of visual plagiarism. Bob Andelman interviewed Cole for Poynter Online and MediaWire. He talked to Cole on December 6th about the latest outbreak of alleged intellectual theft among editorial cartoonists and asked what steps – if any – the AAEC should take to prevent any further incidences among its members. You can read more about this story and other breaking journalism news on MediaWire, only at www.Poynter.org.

Alan Gardner, founder and editor of the DailyCartoonist.com website, will report on incidences of visual plagiarism in the editorial pages of the nation’s newspapers, but it’s not something that gives him pleasure. Bob Andelman conducted this interview for Poynter Online and MediaWire. He talked to Gardner on December 6th about the latest outbreak of alleged intellectual theft among editorial cartoonists and asked for his thoughts on how more might be prevented. You can read more about this story and other breaking journalism news on MediaWire, only at www.Poynter.org.

Do you work for a boss who thinks people should be thanked only if they do something above and beyond the call of duty at work? It's the kind of boss who says or believes "Your paycheck is your thanks." In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler challenges that notion, explaining why and how even less-than-perfect employees benefit from hearing a thank-you from the boss, when done right. She also shares whether thanks is better delivered in public or in private. You can read Jill's companion column on Poynter.org.

When downsizing hits an organization -- as it has to so many -- it falls to the front line bosses to manage the aftermath. It takes a combination of business smarts and emotional intelligence, because the fallout is often harder than those at the top ever realize or acknowledge. For those managers on the front lines, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, offers 4 tips to help manage after downsizing. You can read Jill's "What Great Bosses Know" columns on Poynter.org. Her book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" will be released in June of 2012.

An interview with Alan Gardner, editor of DailyCartoonist.com, about the alleged plagiarism by The Urban Tulsa editorial cartoonist David Simpson. Conducted by Bob Andelman.

You think you do a pretty fair job of giving feedback. But why is it that your employees may think otherwise? The Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler takes a look at how bosses can undermine the effectiveness of their messages. It's especially the case with praise. That's why she's identified 5 "praise erasers" to watch out for. And as a bonus, she shares a few "praise enhancers" to help strengthen your feedback. Here are a few ways to learn more from Jill and the Poynter Institute: Her "What Great Bosses Know" columns are on Poynter.org Her upcoming book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" will be published in June of 2012 but is already available for pre-order on Amazon.com And you can follow her on Twitter: @jillgeisler

Recently, Jill Geisler of the Poynter Institute was asked by Forbes.com to write about the signs of a great boss. So, she developed a list of 12 indicators that a boss really stands out among the rest. In this podcast, she shares those 12 signs. See if you hear yourself being described. Jill's book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" is schedule for publication in June of 2012, and will provide the most practical and immediately useful tips and advice so managers can truly build their skills.

How do you keep good employees motivated and engaged? Great Bosses often use carefully chosen stretch assignments. In this podcast, the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler explains stretch assignments, and how bosses can make certain they have great outcomes for the employee, the organization and the boss. Check out Jill's "Great Bosses" columns on Poynter.org, or follow her on Twitter: @jillgeisler Jill's book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" is scheduled for publication June, 2012.

This is the big finish of our 100 Ideas for Great Bosses series. We're celebrating the posting of our 100th (and now more!) podcast for managers by sharing 100 ideas from the Poynter Institute's leadership and management expert Jill Geisler. Feel free to share your feedback with us. Jill's email address is [email protected] and you can also follow her on Twitter: @jillgeisler.

Welcome to the third installment of our 100 Ideas for Great Bosses series. It's our celebration of hitting the 100 mark of "What Great Bosses Know" podcasts and columns for Poynter.org. In this series, Poynter's leadership and management expert, Jill Geisler, offers practical tips for managers. You can see Jill's columns on Poynter's website -- and in June of 2012, you'll be able to pick up her book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know." It's a workshop in a book -- all designed to help managers become leaders and build strong, positive workplaces.

The Poynter Institute's Leadership and Management expert Jill Geisler continues sharing top ideas to help you become a great boss. The series of 100 tips has been produced to celebrate the posting of her 100th podcast in the Great Boss series. This one makes it 101 -- and lots of fun. She invites you to enjoy the ideas and feel free to follow her columns on Poynter.org, her insights on Twitter (@jillgeisler) and her upcoming book, "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know," which will be published in June of 2012.

This is the 100th podcast in Jill Geisler's "What Great Bosses Know" series. To celebrate, she's assembled 100 ideas, which she will share in a series of podcasts, each featuring 25 of the 100 ideas. If you want to become a great boss -- now or in the future, check out these tips. And, mark your calendar for June of 2012 -- when Jill's book: "Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know" will hit the bookstores!