A recipe for managing employees

Running a business comes naturally to me, but managing a staff is still a challenge. It’s review time in our office and after 22 years, there is no magic formula to lead and motivate. Here are five tips to help those of you like me.

1. Provide feedback year-round; don’t pile it up for an annual review.

2. Encourage open dialogue.

3. Recognize great work.

4. Determine what motivates each employee and personalize incentives. Is it title, money, time off, working remotely, words of affirmation?

5. Be real, decisive, set the example.

I know, easier said than done, right?

– Tara Murphy, The Atlanta 100