"Let Them Eat Dougnuts" management tips

"What was the secret to [the best library supervisor's] success, I wanted to know.

'I have one rule and one rule only,' Tom said. 'Figure out what employees really want and give it to them. ... Pull out your copy of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I know you have one because you have an MLS degree, and anyone with an MLS degree had to read and digest Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow is the only management book you will ever need. Get rid of every other management book. ... When it comes to staff morale, I stress three things and three things only: salary, benefits, and food.'"

'Tom's five rules of food:

1. Pot lucks are a disaster. The last thing tired employees want to do is go home and cook and bake for their colleagues. ... Instead, have pizzas delivered on your dime.

2. Clean the staff refrigerator. Yes, Mr. Manager, that means you. Don’t delegate this job because you will be hated. Put on a respirator and some rubber gloves and throw everything away every Friday afternoon after lunch. Staff will love you.

3. Keep a chocolate jar on your desk. You want open communication? Put a jar filled with chocolate nuggets on your desk. If you keep that jar filled with morsels of milk chocolate, your office will be the most popular work space in the library.

4. Invest in multiple microwaves. Yes, that’s right. Technology is taking over libraries. Computers are important, but they are not nearly as important to staff as microwaves.

5. Don’t forget the Friday-morning doughnuts. And, hey, no matter how much you admire Mrs. Obama, don’t ever be tempted to substitute a fruit platter for doughnuts. Ever!'

-from "The Manley Arts" Oct. 1, 2011 Booklist