Author Archives: Tom Foster

About Tom Foster

Tom Foster spends most of his time talking with managers and business owners. The conversations are about business lives and personal lives, goals, objectives and measuring performance. In short, transforming groups of people into teams working together. Sometimes we make great strides understanding this management stuff, other times it’s measured in very short inches. But in all of this conversation, there are things that we learn. This blog is that part of the conversation I can share. Often, the names are changed to protect the guilty, but this is real life inside of real companies.

How Do You Deal with Arrogance?

“Why the long face?” I asked. “I don’t know,” Curtis replied. “I mean, I know why I have a long face, I just don’t know what to do about it?” “Tell me more?” “I have a guy in a project … Continue reading

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How to Interview for a Bad Attitude

“We hire people for their technical skills, but we fire them for who they are.” Russell complained. “Tell me more. What do you mean you fire them for who they are?” I asked. “Well, they may have the right experience, … Continue reading

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Why Do We Need a Supervisor?

Marty was at a loss to explain why he was losing his most talented people. His office was upscale, roomy cubicles, good benefit package and competitive wages. I asked about his managers. Aside from the CFO and the HR person, … Continue reading

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How Do You Interview for Teamwork?

“There is just something about this candidate that I can’t put my finger on,” Wendy was skeptical. “Everything checks out. This person has the technical skills, the necessary experience, seems enthusiastic, but there is something. On paper, this person should … Continue reading

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Why People Are Not Our Most Important Asset

I had a couple of minutes in the lobby, so I was looking at all the teamwork posters on the wall. Our people are our most important asset!! I had seen this poster a hundred times, but for the first … Continue reading

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How to Hire for Attitude

“To heck with the technical skills,” Jena proclaimed. “I am just going to hire for attitude.” “The skills required are easy enough to teach, and you have a good training program,” I agreed. “But how will you interview for attitude? … Continue reading

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How to Build Trust

“What do you mean – No surprises?” Rachel quizzed. “My team member must know that this conversation is coming. Everyone is constantly correcting his mistakes, making him do re-work.” “So, you want to keep him guessing? You see, surprise works … Continue reading

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It’s All About Work

Good friends of mine, Stephen and Chris Clement have been working on a new book for the past couple of years. It’s All About Work is now available. Here is why you should buy it. In 2001, I was introduced … Continue reading

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Who to Promote, Who to Let Go?

“Yes,” Roger nodded. “Grading my sales team into these six bands of effectiveness helps me see what to do next.” “How so?” I prompted. “The temptation is to keep all the people in the top half of the banding and … Continue reading

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How Does Culture Retain the Team?

Ray was looking at his list. “So, I can count on losing this person. They already gave their notice. And I know they will continue to have contact with the other team members, so I know they will talk with … Continue reading

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