Managing People
Plan backwards from the deadline
You have a date and a vague sense of dread.
I have to deliver [WHAT] by [DATE]. Work backwards: what must be finished by when, what depends on what, and where the plan breaks if one thing slips by a week. Assume [WHO] is available and [CONSTRAINT]. Tell me the single earliest date I would know this is going wrong.
Managing People
A job description that filters
The last posting brought 400 applications and no shortlist.
Write a job description for [ROLE] at [COMPANY TYPE]. The person will actually spend their week doing [REAL TASKS]. Make it specific enough that someone unsuited self-selects out. List the three requirements that are genuinely non-negotiable and mark everything else as nice to have.
Managing People
Feedback that can be acted on
Something needs correcting without a confrontation.
I need to give feedback to a team member. Situation: [WHAT HAPPENED]. Impact: [WHAT IT COST]. Write it using situation, behaviour, impact — under 150 words, no compliment sandwich, ending with one specific ask for next time.
Managing People
One-on-one that is not a status update
Your 1:1s have become task lists.
Give me six questions for a one-on-one with someone who is [PERFORMING WELL / STRUGGLING / RECENTLY PROMOTED / DISENGAGED]. Questions should surface things they would not volunteer. No question answerable with yes or no.