Management Tip of the Day: When Your Employee is Unaware of Unspoken Rules

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Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JUNE 4, 2010 When Your Employee is Unaware of Unspoken Rules It's easy to think that workplace norms are explicit and easy to obey — be at your desk by nine, don't ask superiors personal questions, and don't dress too casually, for example. Managing someone who doesn't follow these norms can be tough, especially if their lack of understanding reflects poorly on your management. Before you tear out your hair wondering why they just don't get it, try using these three tips: Remain open. Some of the rules that we think are steadfast may actually just be our own preferences. Delineate what's essential to business. It's unlikely that a too-casual outfit will stop the company from operating. If the employee needs to be presentable on client calls, that's one thing, but be clear about what truly matters to performance. Communicate expectations clearly. Don't expect everyone to pick up on informal cues. Be explicit with someone who isn't getting it about what rules need to be followed and why. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "What to Do with a Gen X that Doesn't Understand Politics" on the "Ask the Expert: Tammy Erickson" board of the HBR Answer Exchange. Read the full thread and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT Rethinking Political Correctness Harvard Business Review Article Political correctness has reset the standards for civility and respect in day-to-day interactions. Despite this obvious progress, the authors' research shows that political correctness is a double-edged sword. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS How to Assess If You're Ready for a Global Role 2 Ways to Get Mentoring without a Mentor 3 Tips for Giving Your Boss Feedback Rid Your Organization of Email Dysfunction Be Wary of the Downsides of Entrepreneurship 3 Tips for Making Small Talk with the Big Boss 4 Tips for Speaking from a Podium What's Your Leadership Brand? Don't Cry Wolf to Motivate Your People 4 Steps to Achieving Organizational Bipartisanship BEST SELLERS Guide to Persuasive Presentations 10 Must-Read Articles from HBR Financial Intelligence Collection HBR's Must-Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Online Trial Access HBR's in-depth business archives FREE for 14 days. Register today » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)