When managing staff it is always a good idea to start with yourself first and look at your own performance because your own performance will have a direct impact on your staff’s performance.

If you see your staff sat back in their office chair chatting with their co-workers during most of the working day then you need to start looking at the reasons why before you tackle the problem.

As a manager you need good focus and you need to be totally clear on what your expectations are of your staff along with priorities and the purpose of the task in hand.

There are some people that will react immediately to whatever has been emailed through rather than create a list which leaves an increasing pile of work stacking up on office desks and missed deadlines.  
Be clear on what the larger goals are and the real purpose of the project so you are able to prioritise properly. Make sure you talk to staff regularly about the project even if it means holding meetings around your own office desk regularly – they need to understand your goals and buy into them.

Regular pep talks are advisable even if it is over the first cup of coffee in the morning whilst you are at your office desk.