Expert offers Series tips for bosses

It's a sure bet that many Sox fans are tuckered out this morning after last night's big game, but motivating such folks to maintain their workplace productivity today is no challenge to a canny boss.

So says management guru Kevin Eikenberry, author of the just published "Remarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at a Time."

An Indiana resident, Eikenberry has first-hand experience with how a local sports team's success can monopolize water-cooler chit-chat and distract the staff from their appointed tasks: When the Colts went to the most recent Super Bowl, Indianapolis could talk about little else, he said.

"This change of focus can lead to significant losses of productivity," he noted in an e-mail. "As a leader, you can't remove the distraction - the events will still occur. Your job is to do what you can to recognize and take advantage of the situation however you can."

Among his recommendations: Acknowledge the distraction, maintain high expectations, and "enjoy the opportunity to connect with your employees."

During a phone interview, Eikenberry, an alumnus of Purdue University, recalled how he once had a job on the West Coast when his beloved Boilermakers made a strong showing in a spring college basketball tournament.

An understanding boss gave him time off to watch a big game, and Eikenberry said he never forgot it, repaying his boss in loyalty and extra effort.

"My productivity the next few days was sky high," he said.

One World Series strategy for a boss is to tell workers that they must deliver their projects on time, but if they can do that, it's OK to flex their hours and come in a bit late on the day after a night game, Eikenberry said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)