Employees should be one of your key information sources. Here are some tips on how to find out what's on your staffers' minds:

1.  Maintain an open-door policy. Let your employees  know that if they ever have a problem, they can come & see you.

2.  Tell your employees that the only bad news is the news that is not communicated upward. Tell them that you want to hear the good news & the bad news.

3.  Don't react badly when you hear that something is amiss. Don't kill the bearer of bad tidings.

4.  Arrange for periodic informal gatherings. Have picnics, group lunches, de-brief sessions after work. You are more accessible at social gatherings; people will tell you things they won't tell you in the office.

5.  At staff meetings, solicit regular status reports. Don't be overly judgmental of what you hear in these reports.

6.  Show that you're human. Laugh at yourself, admit your mistakes. Apologize if you've upset an employee. If the crew thinks you're human, you will be more approachable.