Comments on: Call the CEO: Great tip from a Senior Slacker Manager

By: Phil Gerbyshak

Phil Gerbyshak — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:43:42 +0000

Leslie - you're welcome. I hope these tips help you become a better slacker manager.

By: leslie

leslie — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:21:16 +0000

This is a good suggestion which I will practise. Thanks

By: Phil Gerbyshak

Phil Gerbyshak — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:11:09 +0000

You are absolutely right Steve. We can get caught up in the response mode that we forget about the listen mode.

Genuineness goes without saying, in my book, but you're right, it is VERY important to have that genuine feedback and not just a pat "You're doing great" comment.

Excellent reminders. Much appreciated Steve!

By: Steve Roesler

Steve Roesler — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:07:52 +0000

Bullet Point #3: "Shut Up" yields huge dividends.

We're often so intent on crafting a response to whatever is being said, we miss the real point and the possible opportunities. And: the person doesn't think we really listened (that person is right!).

Have the meeting with the understanding that (the manager/CEO) will only ask clarifying questions or offer encouragement where it is genuine. The other part of the understanding is that, after a specific period of time. (s)he will follow up individually--in some way--with each person who contributed.

That way everyone gets heard and the CEO has a chance to synthesize over time instead of feeling the need for an in-the-moment response.

Good post!

By: Phil Gerbyshak

Phil Gerbyshak — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:18:27 +0000

Great article Michael. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jordan - great suggestion. It's been a while since I started this, so the shoulder diving question was forgotten. I appreciate the reminder!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:35:08 +0000

May I suggest that if you’re going to start walking around to your employee’s workspaces that you position yourself, at least in the beginning, so that you are not in a position to look at their computer. Even if your intentions are purely innocent, it’s likely that a few people are going to be either working on a personal e-mail, or perhaps just don’t want their worked “judged” until it’s finished. (i.e.- perfectly productive employees may be sluggish in the morning and pick up pace in the afternoon, but they don’t want you to know that — they just want you to see the finished results). If you position yourself in such a way that you don’t appear to be “checking” what they’re doing, and also announce your presence as you approach, then people will be much more at ease with you, as opposed to feeling nervous about what they were just doing (or not doing).

By: Michael Morton

Michael Morton — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:24:17 +0000

Wesabe.com has the same thing except customers can call the CEO every afternoon. Read about it here:

http://marketingmonster.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/got-a-question-forget-customer-service-talk-to-the-ceo/