Its not easy to be a manager. With growing resource constraints, relentless change, and high turnover, todays business climate poses many difficulties, but most managers point to the same greatest challenge: time. Daily crises require immediate attention, managers must drop everything to resolve the issue, they fall behind on their workand then another crisis takes over the next day. How can anyone find the time to manage? In truth, time isnt the problem, but the solution. Fire-fighting is a symptom of undermanagement, and all managers must rise to the challenge of maintaining regular and meaningful dialogue with each direct report. This does not mean more emails or pointless meetings, but highly structured, highly substantive communication. The very best managers hold ongoing one-on-one conversations that make expectations clear, track performance and offer feedback, provide guidance and direction, hold people accountable, and reward top performance. Based on twenty