I tend to believe that life can always be broken down into four rules on anything. Managing employees is no difference. The four rules with employees are very simple:

1. Expectations: Always let employees know what your expectations are with respect to their performance, the duties, and the delivery of the work product. Believe it or not the number one complaint we get from employees is they don't know what their employer wants?

2. Tools: You can't expect employees to perform unless they have good tools. This can be everything from good equipment, adequate work space, or the fastest computer in the office. Training is an essential part of the tools needed.

3. Feedback: You have to let employees know how they are doing. Again this ranks up there with expectations. Good employees can't become great employees unless they know if they are meeting your expectations. They definetely need to know if they are exceeding your expectations.

4. Accountability. Unless employees are held accountable for their actions you lose. If you aren't willing to draw the line in the sand employees will have no reason to meet your expectations.

I think what amazes me the most is when I teach this to employees and how it will work they are the most enthused. Employees welcome stability and the Rule of 4 provides stability.