Breastfeeding Week: Breastfeeding facts

Breastfeeding has many proven benefits for both you and your baby, but this doesn’t mean you’ll get the hang of it as soon as your baby is born. In fact it can be quite tricky to master at first, however with a bit of perseverance breastfeeding can become second nature to you both and you’ll never want to stop!

It’s National Breastfeeding Week this week (24th-30th June) so we’ve compiled a few breastfeeding facts for you…

·         Across the world, less than 40 per cent of babies under the age of six months are exclusively breastfed

·         Breastfeeding burns approximately 500 calories a day

·         It reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life, helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster, and lowers rates of obesity.

·         Adults who were breastfed as babies often have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, as well as lower rates of overweight, obesity and type-2 diabetes.

·         Breastfeeding aids the uterus returning to original size after birth.

·         An average breastfeed last 16 minutes.

·         Babies instinctively know how to get your milk quickly and efficiently.

·         Your baby controls your breastmilk flow with an instinctive action that includes sucking, swallowing and breathing.

·         82% of mothers use a breastpump.

·         Breastfeeding exposes your baby to many different tastes and smells.

·         In countries were breastfeeding rates are higher, the most common female cancers, ovarian, uterine and breast, are reduced.

·         There are more than 4,000 species of mammals, and all breastfeed their young.

·         Breastfeeding delays the return of menstrual periods and may aid in spacing pregnancies.

·         Breastfeeding creates a strong bond between mother and child.

Source: Breastfeeding Week: breastfeeding facts

Sleeping Disorder - Natural Remedies

We have all experienced the sleepless night, and dealt with the exhaustion and fatigue the following day, but occasional disturbances to sleep do not constitute a sleeping disorder. Frequent episodes can however be an altogether different story. Sleeping disorders are also known as somnipathy and include disturbances in sleep patterns. Sleep is essential for the proper functioning of an individual and sleeping disorders can wreak havoc in a person’s life. Normal, day to day activities can be hampered to a large extent. Most individuals have suffered from a sleep disorder at some point in their life. When the problem persists for a long time only then can be classified as a sleep disorder.

Insomnia is the most common problem faced by persons suffering from a sleeping disorder. Other sleeping disorders include sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, restless legs syndrome, parasomnias, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, jet lag and seasonal affective disorder.

Insomnia is difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. Sleep apnea refers to a condition in which the individual’s breathing is interrupted during sleep and could include bouts of breathlessness. Excessive snoring may also point towards sleep apnea. When a person is unable to move during waking or falling asleep it is known as sleep paralysis. Restless leg syndrome is uneasiness in the legs due to which a person has difficulty in sleeping or falling asleep. Abnormal behavior during sleep is called parasomnia. Sleepwalking, eating during sleep, and sex during sleep, among other oddities, are different types of behaviors that a person may engage in if he is suffering from parasomnia. If a person suffers from sleep paralysis, hallucinations before falling asleep, sleepiness during the day time and a loss of muscle tone during a response to a stimulus then he or she is said to be suffering from narcolepsy. When a person’s sleep patterns are not in tandem with time then the person has what is called a circadian rhythm disorder. Chronic fatigue syndrome as the name suggests is a disorder wherein an individual is constantly tired. No amount of rest makes him feel relaxed and rested. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD implies excessive sleepiness and depression during winter. Lastly, jet lag refers to a sleep disturbance caused due to travel between different time zones. However, this is only a temporary problem. Another strange condition called hypersomnia also exists. People who suffer from this disorder sleep excessively.

One out of four people suffer from some form of sleeping disorder. Most sleeping disorders remain undiagnosed and go untreated. Sleeping disorders create a lot of problems in the normal functioning of an individual. Depression and sleeping disorders also go hand in hand. However, if diagnosed sleep disorders can be effectively treated.

Symptoms for Sleeping Disorders

Difficulty in falling asleep, weakened memory, lack of concentration, slow reflexes, irritability, falling asleep in inappropriate circumstances, lethargy, fatigue and trouble controlling emotions are all warning signs of a sleep disorder and need immediate attention.

Symptoms of insomnia include extreme difficulty falling asleep or frequent waking up during the night and waking up well before it is time to get up. Light sleep and disturbed sleep are other symptoms. A need to consume sleeping pills to be able to fall asleep and feelings of fatigue and sleepiness during waking hours are yet other signs.

Symptoms of sleep apnea could include loud and continuous snoring, gasping during sleep, stoppage in breath during sleep and waking up with a feeling uneasiness; inability to breathe normally and headaches. Symptoms of restless leg syndrome include the urge to move one’s legs constantly due to uneasiness. Aches and pains are other common symptoms. Cramping and jerking of the legs during sleep are some other signs of sleep apnea.

If a person hears and sees things that are actually not present just before going to sleep, has intense dreams immediately after falling asleep, suffers from a temporary paralysis on waking up or when dozing off and is subjected to involuntary muscle contractions or spasms when highly emotionally charged such as with laughter, anger or surprise then the person is suffering from narcolepsy.

It is not very difficult to diagnose sleep disorders. However, we often tend to ignore our sleep problems. If one has the slightest feeling that he or she suffers from a sleep disorder it is important to consult a sleep specialist. The doctor will use different diagnostic tests to determine the nature of the problem. Main tests are the overnight oximetry, the polysomnography, titration study, multiple sleep latency testing and actigraphy.

Possible complications and other health problems caused due to sleeping disorders include a decrease in productivity, hypertension, obesity, disturbed heart rhythms, respiratory disorders, cardiac disorders and mental health problems. Sleep is primordial for overall health and well-being.

Causes for Sleeping Disorders

Different factors cause sleeping disorders. Health problems such as having ulcers, body pain, and illness can make falling asleep very difficult. Asthma patients may also suffer from sleeping disorders. People suffering from mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders almost always suffer from sleeping problems. Lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and drug abuse may also give rise to a sleep disorder.

Short term insomnia also known as acute insomnia can be caused by different life events such as losing a loved one, losing a job, a divorce, changes in environment, a stressful living environment or even factors like too much light and noise in the room one is sleeping in. Long term or chronic insomnia can be caused by severe mental disorders, stress or discomfort at night.

Genetic factors also play a role in the occurrence of sleep disorders. Certain kinds of medications are also known to cause disturbances in sleep patterns. In addition to this, many adults have sleep disorders as they get older.

People who work in shifts also suffer from sleep problems. Working late night shifts can disturb the body clock and it is very likely that such an individual may suffer from a sleep disorder.

Remedies for Sleeping Disorders

It is important to treat a sleeping disorder in its early stages before the problem deteriorates any further. Treatment comprises of behavioral treatments, medications, somatic solutions and rehabilitation. In case of severe sleep disorders, no one treatment is adequate and a combination of different treatment methods may work better. Medications and somatic treatments are effective in providing instant relief. However, with time if the patient’s condition is improving, medications can be reduced and psychotherapy can instead offer more help.

If the sleeping disorder is not very severe self-help and home remedies can be of great help. Maintaining a sleep diary is known to be quite effective. It would also help if you were to maintain a sleep journal in which you can keep track of all events just before going to bed and falling asleep, the number of time one wakes up during sleep and the total numbers of hours in bed and the total number of hours slept. Daytime habits and dietary and lifestyle changes should also be recorded carefully. A well balanced diet, reduction in the intake of alcohol, tobacco, stimulant foods and regular exercise are known to improve the quality of sleep. Making the sleeping space calm and cozy and maintaining regular disciplined sleep timings are essential aspects of self care when faced with sleep disorders.

According to some individuals a warm glass of milk consumed before going to bed can help. This however is simply hearsay and is unlikely to be of any effect when faced with a serious sleep disorder. Another effective home remedy is listening to soothing music and using aromatherapy sleep sprays and candles that induce sleep. Prevention is always better than cure, which is why it is so important to maintain healthy eating habits and a disciplined lifestyle. Learning to relax, avoiding naps during the day, physical exercise, abiding by a healthy balanced diet and using the sleeping area only to sleep are helpful prevention tips.

Diet for Sleeping Disorders

Your diet is important for overall well-being and more so during the treatment of a sleeping disorder. Not all foods may directly influence your sleep patterns, but certain eating habits and foods can certainly contribute to sleep disorders either directly or indirectly. It is important to have a well-balanced diet rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, good carbs, fibre and good fats. Green leafy vegetables must be included in the diet and so should whole grains. Fruits and vegetables must be had in adequate quantities. Lettuce is another food that is known to enhance sleep. Complex carbohydrates induce sleep as well. Vitamin B3 is a vitamin important to regulate sleep. Foods that one must keep away from are tea, coffee, alcohol, spicy and oily foods, carbonated drinks, chocolate, refined foods, canned foods, high protein foods at night and foods high in sugar.

It would help greatly if you were to consult and seek advice from a dietician to choose the right kinds of foods. Your dietician would be able to advice you not just with specialized diet plans, but also with the creation of a healthy daily routine.

Suggestion for Sleeping Disorders

Sleep disorders should be given due attention and if you notice any of the symptoms in yourself or a family member, it would be wise to seek medical attention. Avoid any type of self treatment with over the counter drugs and medications, as many drugs recommended for sleep, both over the counter and prescription drugs, pose grave health risks. This is particularly true with an extended use of such drugs. Your main aim should be to identify the most likely causes and to rectify them.

If a sleep disorder is identified early enough it is a lot easier to treat and you may in fact be able to overcome it with a little help from your doctor and with some simple changes to your lifestyle.

It is important for each one to be responsible about sleep and give adequate importance to this daily activity. In case of children, the parents must inculcate healthy sleeping habits early on. In case of adults, family must be supportive with other family members suffering from a sleep disorder. It is important to seek immediate help if you notice that a family member is suffering from a sleep disorder. Ignoring the problem will not make the problem go away.

If a certain medication to treat another health condition is hampering sleep, then it is important for the medical health practitioner to prescribe an alternative medication. Self medication of sleeping pills is a strict no-no. Those good 8 hours in Morpheus’ arms are vital

Original Article: Dr. Idris Modi

Very common matrimonial landmines

Divashri Sinha, Mumbai Mirror

Happily Ever Afters aren't perfect but they aren't impossible either. Our experts help you navigate some common matrimonial landmines

Universally, all marriages have their spells of good and bad and more often than not, share the same kinks in the chain. Be it pesky in-laws or intolerable cleanliness issues, living with someone day in and day out can have its moments of insanity. The trick is to not let them get the better of the relationship. Marriage counsellor Sonali Raisingh and clinical psychologist Ranjan Shah list the most common problems marriages face and how to deal with them.

Parent trap

We tend to get immune to our family's levels of crazy and find it strange when someone points them out to us. Dealing with in-laws is tricky territory for both as one is expected to be respectful while disagreeing on multiple counts. Raisingh suggests that couples set a few boundaries to avoid messy confrontations. It is also important to support your partner and give your relationship priority over how your parents feel.

"For example, if your in-laws call a few hundred times during the day, learn to limit the number without being rude," says Raisingh. "Take your time to call back or text instead. Make plans in advance so they don't pop over unannounced."

As for unsolicited advice, instead of meekly listening, be respectful but assertive about what you think. Say things like, 'I appreciate your concern but we will discuss it and figure out what's best for us'. Do not encourage complaints about your spouse and put up a united front regarding decisions. To keep unwarranted advice at bay keep private matters private. If you mention problems to your mother-in-law, her natural reaction would be to give you advice. So it's best not to discuss issues you don't want interference on.

Family planning

According to Raisingh, "Most couples have difficulty in setting the time to have children. Due to social and biological factors, women tend to be keen to start a family earlier whereas men like to be financially and emotionally prepared. Postponing it can drain the relationship."

Shah adds, "It'll never seem like the right time, but the younger you are when you have kids, the more energy you'll have to deal with the disruptions they'll throw your way.'

Infertility takes on a different level of emotional toll. "Not being able to conceive is often taken as a failure of the union. Discuss other options before you start trying to conceive and you'll be able to handle disappointment better," says Raisingh. "The worst thing to do is to blame yourself or your partner, especially since this isn't something you can change. Weigh your options, but most importantly, shield each other from negativity."

Money matters

Financial baggage can also break a marriage. It's best to be transparent about financial commitments. According to Shah, most partners are surprised by each others spending habits and debt. Be it home loans or credit card bills, never hide the status of your finances and make it a point to take a joint decision on big expenses. "Things tend to get a little complicated as both partners work and get used to a certain financial independence before marriage. To suddenly become answerable to someone else takes a little adjusting to," he says.

Child rearing

Whether you want to be a Tiger mom or a Lily dad, agree on parenting styles. According to Raisingh, "Many parents end up adapting disciplinary techniques similar to what they grew up with. If your parents were strict, chances are you'll be stern as well. If your partner's parents were permissive, (s)he'll be laid back, making you the 'bad guy'."

Talk about disciplining techniques and the idea is to be consistent, be it reward or punishment. "Children are smart enough to see through empty threats," says Raisingh. As long as you dictate house rules together, kids won't play one parent against the other.

Bedroom games

A chunk of marital problems arise in the bedroom. After a while, infrequency of sex becomes a major factor for friction. Day-to-day monotony takes a toll on energy levels as well as physical intimacy. According to Shah, "Holding out on each other as punishment is also common and is the worst way to make your point. Interestingly, when it's physical intimacy it lacks, that is exactly what can rejuvenate a relationship."

Body beautiful

Your wife may not have maintained a svelte figure or your husband might have a paunch and thinning hair, but that's hardly reason to bring it to their notice. Instead of making your partner conscious, Shah recommends suggesting activities that you can do together such as hiking or adopting a healthy diet together. "Make it about yourself. Say you need to get fitter and need company," he says.

Don't underestimate the effect of monotony on the relationship. "With both partners working, household chores can no longer be 'his' and 'hers'. Partners should evenly distribute them to ease the pressure. Small gestures of cleaning up and paying bills can help your partner feel cared for and loved, which helps reduce resentment," says Raisingh.

Source: Very common matrimonial landmines

Harsha Bhogle: We FAIL when we FEAR failure

The TV anchor and cricket commentator writes about his life, struggles and the reality of learning and perseverance.

After so many years in the profession it might seem unusual to say so -- but I should never have been in television. I didn't have what it took and for a better part of my career I was defined by who I wasn't rather than by who I was! I wasn't a test cricketer, I didn't look like a suiting model (far from it!), I had no sense of fashion or colours. I wore large glasses, I had gaps in my teeth and I spoke too fast. It has been suggested that I had a face for radio and after the first programme of a new series for ESPN, the producer said (though I must admit, not at the time) that there was everything wrong with it, including the anchor.

Worse still I had no one to look up to. Live television was very young in India and Doordarshan was the only channel. I guess you could say that, as a result, I knew what not to do but didn't always know what was right. And so I had no choice but to learn by making mistakes.

I did what I thought was right and if it was wrong, I tried not to do it again.

Big blunders

I made many mistakes. I once ended a presentation ceremony at the end of a high profile tournament halfway through because I thought the director was telling me to move on when in reality he was telling someone else. I had very little idea of how to use the ear-piece through which the presenter gets instructions from the director.

So when he said, "After this we will go to an interview" I assumed he was talking only to me and not to the crew so after that particular award had been given, I turned to camera and said "That's it from the presentation". When I turned there were a million eyes boring holes into me. I crept up to where the producer was, feeling as terrible as anyone could, and said, "Sorry Rik, I promise it will never happen again". He put me at ease but I knew I had committed a blunder.

Making mistakes isn't a crime, repeating them is!

Indeed the year before that, I was first asked to present the telecast and I said, "Yes", without having a clue about what it meant. So before leaving for Chennai, my wife and I went to buy a couple of jackets. We only knew one store so we went to the Raymond shop and as it turned out they only had double breasted jackets so those were what we bought!

One of those was a black and white striped jacket, the kind you should never wear on television because the picture jitters.

But I learnt one thing about mistakes and about failure. It is not a crime to commit them, but it is criminal not to learn from them and ensure they are not repeated. If you make one mistake it tends to be pardoned but if you keep making it, no one is interested in you anymore.

Look, failure is a necessity

And you know, little failures are like potholes on a road. After a while you know where not to drive. Also, you learn what not to do and it was thus that I learnt what I did about television. So if you fail, don't think it is the end of the world. Ask yourself why you failed and promise yourself that you will never do it again. You will actually emerge tougher.

In a programme my wife and I did some years ago, an Australian sports psychologist told us that when they put together elite squadrons in Australia, they don't pick you if you've never failed because if you have never been face-to-face with failure you may not know what to do when confronted by it.

If, however, you have looked failure in the eye, vanquished it and returned stronger, you are considered a better candidate.

The one thing we should all try to do in life is to convert a problem into an advantage, into an opportunity. Because I didn't have much to start with, I tried much harder than anyone else, I was never afraid of learning. I learnt to be professional from the cameramen and the editors on the crew, I learnt what colours are good for television from Navjot Sidhu, I learnt how to knot a tie from my friend whose camera I had to look into, I learnt how to iron a jacket from someone else.

Unfortunately in India we condemn failure too strongly, we attach a social status to it and clothe failures with a stigma. Stay away from such people or better still, try harder to prove them wrong. Failure can sometimes drive you towards getting even better than you would have if you hadn't failed.

We fail when we fear failure

But remember, failure can be a friend only if you learn from it and never repeat it. There are hundreds of stories around you of what the human spirit can do. Failure is not an enemy, failure is not fatal so don't fear it because the more you fear it, the more you attract it.

I found that the day I stopped being afraid of failing, I grew much more relaxed. I told myself, 'what is the worst thing that will happen?'. I would have had to apologise on air, in front of all those viewers but I would only be apologising for a mistake, I wouldn't be committing a crime.

Very often we fail because we are afraid of failing, because we fear the aftermath of failure. I didn't do well at all in my first term at IIM Ahmedabad because I spent more time fearing a D or an F than actually studying -- which would have saved me in the first place. So relax, if you fear failure, it will encircle you.

If failure, if mistakes, could ruin people, then I would never be in television.

Source: Harsha Bhogle: We FAIL when we FEAR failure

10 bad habits that harm your teeth

Courtesy LifeMojo.com

Brushing hard, drinking wine, chewing ice -- here's everything you should avoid to preserve your pearly whites.

Oral hygiene is very important. In addition to a pretty smile, having strong and healthy teeth is important. Without proper brushing and flossing, your mouth can become a breeding ground for germs. But there are other bad habits as well that can damage your teeth.

You use your mouth for many different things other than chewing food. People often engage in certain habits involving the mouth that are detrimental to their oral health. You should be careful about bad things that you do with your teeth. Here are a few to avoid:

1. Using your teeth as tools

Many people use their teeth as tools to open bottles or a bag of chips, tear off plastic tape, rip a price tag off new clothing or even off wires.

Your teeth were not meant to be used like this. This can have a traumatic effect on them, causing the edge of a weakened tooth to chip off or even break. It can even cause malocclusion (poor jaw alignment) by wearing down your teeth unevenly.

Keep the real tools like scissors or wire-cutters handy and use them to do the work.

2. Chewing ice

Many people habitually chew on ice, especially the leftover ice after finishing a cold drink. The hardness and cold temperature of ice cubes can actually cause teeth to fracture. You could potentially chip off part of the enamel on a tooth or crack a filling. Sometimes the damage is severe enough to require a root canal.

Dentists recommend letting the ice melt in your mouth like candy instead of crushing it with your teeth.

3. Chewing hard objects

Many people chew on pencils, pens and other hard objects. Your teeth were meant to chew food, not unnecessary non-edibles. Similar to chewing ice, chewing hard objects can fracture teeth, leading to unnecessary dental repairs.

4. Sucking on lemons

If you do this on a regular basis, the citric acid in lemons can leach important minerals from your teeth and erode your teeth's outer surfaces, making them sensitive to cold food and drinks, and prone to chipping and cracking.

This doesn't mean that you should give up on all citrus fruits and their juices. Just make sure that you aren't holding them in your mouth for prolonged period of time.

5. Brushing too hard

People usually think that by applying more pressure while brushing, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush makes teeth more shiny. This is a myth and should be avoided.

When you brush too vigorously or use a hard-bristled toothbrush, it can wear away the protective enamel on your teeth. It can also lead to receding gums and increased tooth sensitivity (to cold and touch). Choose a soft brush and use gentle circular strokes for best results.

6. Nail biting

Nail biting is not only bad for your nails, it is also harmful to your teeth. It can cause broken or chipped front teeth, and gives an opportunity to germs and bacteria from underneath your nails to enter your mouth and cause cavities or gum infections.

Nail biting is often a subconscious habit that is an expression of some deeper anxiety that gets worse at times of stress.

7. Teeth grinding

Chronic bruxism (aka teeth grinding) can lead to a variety of dental problems including excessive wear of the te#240 chipping, cracking, and fracturing of teeth and loosening of teeth. It can also cause pain in the jaw joints, headache and severe toothache.

This habit often occurs at night while asleep, on a subconscious level, usually in response to emotional stress. To limit the damage it can cause, your dentist may suggest you to wear a mouth guard when you go to bed.

8. Drinking white wine

Many people choose white wine over red as the latter can stain the teeth. But actually, white wine can cause more permanent problems because of its high acidity. This acid wears away the tooth enamel, exposing the darker layer underneath (the dentin), giving teeth a yellowed appearance and leaving them much more vulnerable to stains from any coloured food or drinks consumed at the same time.

For protection, rinse your mouth with water after you drink and eat some cheese with your drink to balance out the wine's acidity.

9. Excessive soft drink consumption

Excessive consumption of sweetened, carbonated soft drinks is emerging as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay. It's not just the sugar in the soft drinks that is bad for your teeth. The acids included in the drink also contribute to the formation of cavities.

Sugar-free drinks are less harmful, but they can still cause problems as they too are acidic.

10. Sucking your thumb

Thumb sucking, one of the most common habit among children, interferes with the positioning of the upper and lower front teeth, causing the upper teeth to splay out and the lower teeth to fold back into the mouth. These changes in the bite position eventually require orthodontic treatment.

These are just a few examples of damaging habits that have an impact on your mouth. Will power on your part may help you exchange harmful habits for good dental exhibits.

Source: 10 bad habits that harm your teeth

Dad's New i-Pad‏

This is in German, but totally understandable (and hysterical) in any language.

A Daughter is visiting her father and is helping in the kitchen. She asks: “Tell me Dad, how are you managing with the new I Pad we gave you for your birthday?”

You'll get the rest: http://www.snotr.com/video/8965/

Tips: 10 Ideas for a Manager - By Bill Gates

10 Ideas for a Manager - By Bill Gates

There isn't a magic formula for good management, of course, but if you're a manager, perhaps these tips will help you be more effective:

1.    Choose a field thoughtfully. Make it one you enjoy. It's hard to be productive without enthusiasm. This is true whether you're a manager or employee;

2.    Hire carefully and be willing to fire. You need a strong team, because a mediocre team gives mediocre results, no matter how well managed it is. One mistake is holding on to somebody who doesn't measure up. It's easy to keep this person on the job because he's not terrible at what he does. But a good manager will replace him or move him to where he can succeed unambiguously;

3.    Create a productive environment. This is a particular challenge because it requires different approaches depending on the context. Sometimes you maximise productivity by giving everybody his or her own office. Sometimes you achieve it by moving everybody into open space. Sometimes you use financial incentives to stimulate productivity. A combination of approaches is usually required. One element that almost always increases productivity is providing an information system that empowers employees. When I was building Microsoft, I set out to create an environment where software developers could thrive. I wanted a company where engineers liked to work. I wanted to create a culture that encouraged them to work together, share ideas and remain motivated. If I hadn't been a software engineer myself, there's no way I could have achieved my goal;

4.    Define success. Make it clear to your employees what constitutes success and how they should measure their achievements. Goals must be realistic. Project schedules, for example, must be set by the people who do the work. People will accept a "bottoms-up" deadline they helped set, but they'll be cynical about a schedule imposed from the top that doesn't map to reality. Unachievable goals undermine an organisation. At my company, in addition to regular team meetings and one-on-one sessions between managers and employees, we use mass gatherings periodically and E-mail routinely to communicate what we expect from employees. If a reviewer or customer chooses another company's product , we analyse the situation. We say to our people, "The next time around we've got to win. What's needed?" The answers to these questions help us define success;

5.    To be a good manager, you have to like people and be good at communicating. This is hard to fake. If you don't enjoy interacting with people, it'll be hard to manage them well. You must have a wide range of personal contacts within your organisation. You need relationships - not necessarily personal friendships - with a fair number of people, including your own employees. You must encourage these people to tell you what's going on and give you feedback about what people are thinking about the company and your role in it;

6.    Develop your people to do their jobs better than you can. Transfer your skills to them. This is an exciting goal, but it can be threatening to a manager who worries that he's training his replacement. If you're concerned, ask your boss: "If I develop somebody who can do my job super well, does the company have some other challenge for me or not?" Many smart managers like to see their employees increase their responsibilities because it frees the managers to tackle new or undone tasks. There's no shortage of jobs for good managers. The world has an infinite amount of work to be done;

7.    Build morale. Make it clear there's plenty of goodwill to go around and that it's not just you or some hotshot manager who's going to look good if things go well. Give people a sense of the importance of what they're working on - its importance to the company, its importance to customers;

8.    Take on projects yourself. You need to do more than communicate. The last thing people want is a boss who just doles out stuff. From time to time, prove you can be hands-on by taking on one of the less attractive tasks and using it as an example of how your employees should meet challenges;

9.    Don't make the same decision twice. Spend the time and thought to make a solid decision the first time so that you don't revisit the issue unnecessarily. If you're too willing to reopen issues, it interferes not only with your execution but also with your motivation to make a decision in the first place. People hate indecisive leadership; However, that doesn't mean you have to decide everything the moment it comes to your attention. Nor that you can't ever reconsider a decision.

10.  Let people know whom to please. Maybe it's you, maybe it's your boss, and maybe it's somebody who works for you. You're in trouble and risking paralysis in your organisation when employees start saying to themselves: "Am I supposed to be making this person happy or this other person happy? They seem to have different priorities."

 

I don't pretend that these are the only 10 approaches a manager should keep in mind. There are lots of others. Just a month ago I encouraged leaders to demand bad news before good news from their employees. But these 10 ideas may help you manage well, and I hope they do.