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Productivity tips from ‘Brainhack’ and a McKinsey partner
A scrupulously tidy work station can be less help than a little chaos to help spark imagination
Glossing over performance issues in an effort to be welcoming is damaging for employee and business
Meet employees informally away from your office to encourage them to speak up
Be proactive rather than wait for management to recognise your skills
Learn to ignore today’s frequent distractions so that you can work on a single task
Use the experience to boost the chances of being given more money next time
Managers must avoid temptation and take steps to ensure they do not overload star performers
Talk to people before going overseas and find out about the office and work involved
Simple tricks to divert the mind and prevent thoughts about work invading time off
When your boss and colleagues are much younger show tact and a willingness to learn
Managers must deal with problem employees whose behaviour causes high staff turnover and low morale
Encouraging Reaching out to former staff is a low-risk, low-cost way to keep valuable assets in touch
Minimising the number of people who need to turn up ensures a good break ahead of the new year
Fathers have hesitated to take shared time off but the advice is to not hold back
You can improve your meetings by telling people to leave smartphones and laptops outside
When a presentation starts to go badly, take cues from the audience and recover your momentum
First, stop relying on your boss for reassurance, then make sure you are well-positioned
Careful planning and productivity-boosting apps help to manage workload and increase effectiveness
Burnish your leadership credentials with strategies that show off ability, not charisma
A demotion is painful but it pays to assess the situation and plan your response
Flexibility and frankness help new mothers and their managers ensure a happier return to work
For some people, strict compartmentalisation of career and home life can be counter-productive
Stay away from routine and keep fresh during years of employment at the same company
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