This week, we conclude our discussion on managing through a personal crisis. Last week, we discussed the preparation; this week, we discuss ACTIONS.

We thought we’d let everyone know that after announcing our September conference 10 days ago, we already have 60 attendees registered.

If you’re thinking about coming, you might want to move quickly.

Thanks to those who have already registered. Please take a minute and introduce yourself to your fellow attendees in the Discussion Forums.

And, of course, please let us know if you have any questions. You can email us at conferenceATmanager-tools.com, or you can call the office at 830-992-3174.

This cast gives managers specific steps to take when dealing with a personal crisis of a direct report.

Mark once heard a manager say that when one of his directs started crying, he simply “gave them some tissue and walked out.” Even though he prided himself on being a tough-minded, results oriented, very successful manager, at some level he knew that his response was too callous, too cold. When Mark looked at him, mouth agape, he immediately backpedaled and said something to the effect of, “well, I’m giving them space…I don’t want them to be embarrassed . . . I appreciate their need for privacy . . . I didn’t want them thinking I was evaluating them right then.”

All delivered with that delicate edge of panic that comes from defending the indefensible. Your directs have lives outside of work, and as often as you will ask them to stay late, to do more, to answer emails on the weekend . . . every once in a while, THEIR lives are going to herniate into YOUR work.

What do you do as a manager when one of your team has a crisis? When their spouse is hurt or hospitalized? When their house burns down? When someone’s parent passes away?

We’ll tell you in this cast.

We are pleased to announce our September Effective Manager Conference!

Our first conference, in April, was a huge success for us - Mike and I described it as the best two days of our professional lives. And our attendees agreed:

“I have attended Dale Carnegie, American Management Association, etc conferences and the MT conference blew them away!”-
Jeff Vose, April attendee

The basics: It’s September 5-6, in San Antonio, at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio. Over the two days, we will again deliver what you expect from us: detailed, specific, actionable recommendations about your day to day management life.

For more details, our agenda, and logistics, please go to the Effective Manager Conference page.

If you’re ready now, go to our conference registration page to register now.

We’ve once again limited space to 100 attendees, to ensure you get personal attention. BUT, our first conference was SO successful that those attendees asked us to let them know about San Antonio a few days early, so they could be sure to send their directs right away. We did, and we have already registered 20 people for September. There are only 80 slots left as we open registration today. Please act fast (some of you know our first conference filled up in 30 days.)

“This is the best manager training I have attended in my career. By a wide margin. Do yourself a huge favor: As soon as registration opens for San Antonio, sign up!”
- Paul Moriarty, April Attendee

We’ve published a podcast about the conference as well - Mike and I informally go over the basics of the conference agenda and why you should attend.

We hope to see you soon!

Today, we complete our discussion on Body Odor.

One of our more controversial topics, to be sure … but folks, we don’t make this stuff up! The issue arises in offices all across the world every day. And since it doesn’t seem like anyone else wants to talk about it, we will!

This cast describes how to have a discussion with a direct whose personal odor is affecting their teammates.

We get asked “the body odor question” a lot, and everyone seems stunned that we actually have an answer. Usually, a manager just mentions it in passing. “Well, thanks for this other help…but even YOU can’t help with THIS problem.” In keeping with their tone, I say, “what’s that?” Their reply of “I got a guy who is creating problems on the team. It’s …uhhhh… it’s like… he uhhhh…”

“Body Odor?”

“How did you know?”

The fact is, we ALL smell. If you don’t think you do, you’re mistaken, and that deodorant or antiperspirant in your bathroom closet, to say nothing of the eau de toilette, cologne, perfume, and scented toothpaste and body lotion you likely have there as well.

And so, it’s going to happen that you will have to have a conversation with one of your directs about their personal scent. Here’s how.