Browsing: Management

A reader writes: We just had an employee leave after only five months in his position because another company he…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee goes to clients’ homes reeking of cigarette smoke…

A reader writes: A guy I work with accused me of being inappropriate with him. I was horrified I gave…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it terrible to call in sick after a big…

A reader writes: When a coworker mentions some upcoming leave they are taking, is it considered poor form to ask…

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker put up a Rising Sun flag I have…

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any…

Griffin This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand.…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my office…

Leading Thoughts for October 15, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

We’ve heard many stories here over the years of family members involving themselves in a loved one’s job when they…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. The Kelly Clarkson bird toy drama I’m desperate for your…

A reader writes: How do you manage someone when you’re not a manager? For the last six months, I’ve been…

The Leadership Style That Gets You Here Won’t Get You There IN the early stage of an enterprise software startup,…

A reader writes: This situation actually happened to my mom, but when we talked about it, I was surprised by…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is asking about my child care arrangements, but…

I’m off today, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2018. A reader writes:…

I’m off today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in…

A reader writes: I am applying to a position in my field with another organization, but one of the people…

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My boss doesn’t respect my time I have 1:1 meetings…

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any…

Percy, Griffin, Wallace This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… should I…

Leading Thoughts for October 08, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

Over the years, we’ve had a lot of letters about drama caused when someone accidentally sent an email or instant…

Last month we talked about people handling difficult moments well, and here are 10 of my favorite stories you shared.…

AI Likes Kissing Up to You Personal Tech columnist at The Wall Street Journal, Nicole Nguyen, wrote in Why I…

Remember the letter-writer whose company had been infiltrated by a proxy interviewer crime ring? Here’s the update. Thank you so…

How to Respond When People Throw Wrenches During Change CHANGE initiatives rarely fail because of flawed strategies or poor execution.…

A reader writes: My sister and I tend to have differently calibrated weird meters, hers being on the delightfully weird…

Learning to Be Excellent EXCELLENCE is a mindset. The right mindset is what differentiates top performers from others. A mindset…

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any…

Leading Thoughts for August 27, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… will I…

First Look: Leadership Books for October 2026 HERE’S A LOOK at some of the best leadership books to be released…

Wallace and Stella This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by…

Leading Thoughts for October 1, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

A reader writes: I spent three years working on a project mostly on my own, taking the relative industry certifications…

You Need AI Literacy: Here’s How to Get It WORRIED about AI? You’re not alone. About three-quarters of adults have…

Recently we talked about coworkers throwing tantrums at work, and here are 15 of my favorite stories you shared. 1.…

LeadershipNow 140: September 2026 Compilation Here is a selection of Posts from September 2026 that you will want to check…

A reader writes: I’m in a very upsetting and bewildering situation at work. I was called into a meeting with…

A reader writes: I have a staff member, Sam, who will be out later this year on parental leave. The…

A reader writes: I’m really not sure where to land on using AI to help with cover letters. I’ve seen…

A reader writes: I am in a job that has very strict metrics. I am extremely good at my job,…

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I bet your readers have stories created about workplace rules…

Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. Should I tell my boss to fire our new hire? (#4 at…

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Why are all our brainstorming meetings terrible? This has happened…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my coworker…

Grendel and Eloise This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by…

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any…

A reader writes: I am a first-time manager at an organization where I have worked in different contributor roles for…

Leading Thoughts for September 24, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

A reader writes: This happened several years ago, but I still think about it and I’m not sure if I…

My mom, Barbara Green, died two years ago this week. I wrote this for her. It is not about work.…

Earlier this summer, we talked about times you should have stopped reading something … but didn’t. Here are 15 of…

A reader writes: I was recently offered a small side job that I would do entirely on my own time.…

A reader writes: Recently, on TikTok, there has been a big debate about if it’s okay to bring an iced…

A reader writes: I lead a mission-driven nonprofit that does excellent work for communities that really need it. I’m proud…

update: asking to cut my hours and go fully remote by Alison Green on September 17, 2026 Remember the letter-writer…

I need to do all my interviews remotely — will employers be OK with that? by Alison Green on September…

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Does it look uppity to list languages on my resume?…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my boss…

weekend open thread – September 19-20, 2026 by Alison Green on September 18, 2026 Percy This comment section is open…

open thread – September 18, 2026 by Alison Green on September 18, 2026 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment…

Leading Thoughts for September 17, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

when do you decide to stay home sick? by Alison Green on September 17, 2026 It’s the Thursday “ask the…

Last month we talked about what habits have followed you home from work, and here are some of the most…

A reader writes: Almost every company I’ve worked for in my 15+ years in the corporate world brags about being…

A reader writes: I’m a manager who has what I’d thought was a generous habit: often when someone on my…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My grandboss keeps “forgetting” my disability accommodations I’m recently diagnosed…

A reader writes: I know this is the way of the world sometimes, but my (very good) boss, Ray, got…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I refuse certain projects on ethical grounds? I have…

Remember the letter-writer who resented her employee for being richer and more qualified than her? The first update was here,…

A reader writes: Many years ago, my then-supervisor asked me if I would host a holiday party for her and…

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my new…

weekend open thread – September 12-13, 2026 by Alison Green on September 11, 2026 This comment section is open for…

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker said my leggings were too see-through My office…

Leading Thoughts for September 10, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I don’t want to hug our owners Our smaller west…

In a recent post on enjoyable ways your behavior changed once you decided to leave your job, someone commented: I…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should I attend a social event with an employee who…

A reader writes: I’ve got an etiquette question for you. I (female) work in an open plan office and sit…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. New employee gets defensive while I’m training her I’m a…

Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. Should I give professionalism feedback to a “nepo baby” summer intern? Things…

I’ve been sitting on this for a while until the situation resolved in my favor, but it was so infuriating…

Two letters on a similar theme. The first: I’ll be interviewing for new jobs soon, and at this point in…

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any…

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my coworker…

weekend open thread – September 5-6, 2026 by Alison Green on September 4, 2026 Grendel This comment section is open…

Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better WE don’t need more freedom; we need more helpful boundaries. David Epstein,…

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. The construction work in my office is making me sick…

Leading Thoughts for September 3, 2026 IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee is unreliable and bad at her job —…

A reader writes: I work at a public university and wasn’t actively looking for another position. Another department recently reached…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker was a jerk about my idea, and I’m…

First Look: Leadership Books for September 2026 HERE’S A LOOK at some of the best leadership books to be released…

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker saw me nude in a bathroom stall I…

LeadershipNow 140: August 2026 Compilation Here is a selection of Posts from August 2026 that you will want to check…