6 Dangerous Biases of Bosses

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."