How to write a resume as an executive

Dear WW: I’m a C-level executive who never has written for career advice. But I’ve got a bet with my wife that a resume for someone in my position is a waste of time. RESUME-FREE
Dear RESUME,
Your email reminded me of the quote by hotel magnate Leona Helmsley about who pays taxes, “It’s only the little [...]

How to get the most out of a high-maintenance employee

DEAR WW: I have a great performer who is also a pain in the rear end. How do you deal with a high-maintenance employee? TOUGH JOB
DEAR TOUGH:
A friend of mine had a Fiat sports car. He said that Fiat stood for “fix it all the time.” But it was worth some trouble for him to [...]

Keys to managing a sales team

DEAR WW: I’ve never had to manage salespeople before. They strike me as a different breed, so please tell me what I need to know to be successful. NO CLOSER
DEAR CLOSER:
Recently, I learned an amazing trick that many people have turned into an art form. When asked a question one doesn’t want to answer, the [...]

How to conduct a job interview

DEAR WW: I’m about to hire my first batch of new employees. What are the most important things to remember as I go through the hiring process? BRING ‘EM ON
DEAR BRING:
I always try to remember the Tony Hinrichs rule when I think about hiring new employees. Mr. Hinrichs came to my attention when he was [...]

How to communicate more clearly

Dear WW: I’m tired of having to tell the people at work what to do over and over. How can I get people to hear what I’m saying the first time? HOARSE
Dear HOARSE,
Your email reminded me of the Vice-Presidential debate when Dick Cheney encourage viewers to go to factcheck.com for an “unbiased” view. Unfortunately what [...]

What not to do as a leader

Dear WW: I really want to be an effective leader. The stuff I read doesn’t seem like it works in the real world. Can you give me something that really works? CAN’T FOLLOW
Dear CAN’T,
An executive once asked me in a job interview to describe one leadership experience I’d had. I described a program that I’d [...]

How to know when NOT to do something via email

Dear WW: As a manager, I rely a lot on email; especially with two telecommuters on my staff. After seeing how emails have come back to haunt so many executives in court, I’m wondering what should one avoid emailing? SAY WHAT?
Dear SAY,
I just read about a big Hollywood star who decided that he was going [...]