Tip of The Month Set Your Staff Up For Success You remember it well.  The words came crackling through the classroom speakers, " _________ report immediately to the Principal's office." You may not have known what the call was about, but you absolutely knew it was probably not good news. The feeling is pretty much universal, even in the workplace - Everyone gets nervous when they are called to the "boss's office" because it feels just a bit too much like it won't be good news. So make visits with your staff a positive experience, rather than an adventure into the fearsome unknown. Call your staff "to your office", but have the "office" in front of everyone.  Have a meeting with a member of your staff so everyone can hear you say something positive to that person. For example, assign a task to a CSR where you know they will excel.  In other words, set them up for success.  Then have another "meeting" so that everyone hears you congratulate them on a job well done. It is also important to recognize their failure, and let them know that failure is a part of growth and you are proud of them for their effort.  That will get some unexpected responses! In a subtle, but powerful way, you are creating confidence in your staff that your involvement means more than a report on their lack of accomplishment.  And that feeling is a sure way to increase morale and productivity in your agency.