iStockphoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto
This is the latest news and information for workers and managers from across the Web universe, brought to you by Monday Morning Manager writer Harvey Schachter. Follow us on Twitter @Globe_Careers or join our Linked In group.
Ask what makes your people tick
This is a good time of the year to learn more about your subordinates. Ask each what they enjoy doing most as part of their work, what they miss most about past jobs, what they enjoy least about the current job, and what you can change to help them do their job. Eric Jacobson on Management
Delegate a task you still enjoy
Executive development expert Dan McCarthy urges you to pick one thing you like to do or are good at doing but probably should not be handling at your level. Then let it go, delegating, providing support and coaching to the person inheriting the task. Smart Blog on Leadership
Know who is likely to roll over
When faced with a negotiation, career adviser Penelope Trunk says the first step is to pick the best person to negotiate with – the right person for the particular issue. Research shows you are also more likely to get concessions from someone who recently rose to power. PenelopeTrunk.com
Come together for tea time
The founders of Orbitkey, which makes key holders, recommend a daily "tea time," learned from their Chinese suppliers, where everyone in the company comes together to share information and caffeine, under the guidance of the tea master, a rotating team member, who selects the blend and improves selling skills promoting it. FastCompany.com
Strike wishy-washy words from e-mail
The Just Not Sorry plug-in for Gmail, downloadable from the Chrome app store, will underline self-demeaning phrases or qualifying words as you write e-mails such as "I'm no expert," "sorry," "just" and "actually," in case you need to appear more confident and forceful with others. Slate.com
Harvey Schachter is a Battersea, Ont.-based writer specializing in management issues. He writes Monday Morning Manager and management book reviews for the print edition of Report on Business and an online work-life column Balance. E-mail Harvey Schachter
Harvey Schachter