Whether you’re brand-new or a veteran manager, an accelerating digital world has presented new management issues not even on the radar a decade ago.

As retirements, company restructuring and ongoing business growth continue to launch new agency leaders, common management issues will encompass everything from wrangling remote employees and flex-time workers to effectively utilizing video and telephone meetings across different time zones and emerging workforce diversity.

Here are some quick tips to be an effective and supportive manager in today's digital age.

1. Manage work. Develop people. Make these principles your watchwords.
2. Give people something to work toward—not just something to work on. Be concise about corporate and department goals, values and metrics.
3. Listening is your most effective tool. Don't assume you need to step in, solve a problem or offer an opinion. After focused listening, ask, "How can I help?" The answer will guide your response.
4. Personal friendships with direct reports are best kept outside the office. Perceived favoritism can lead to ill will from other associates.
5. A structured new-employee orientation is critical for success. To engage and enlighten the new hire, a top leader should issue a personal welcome. Then assign a coordinator, review standard office protocols, utilize job shadowing throughout the company and initiate specific training.
6. Boost employee problem solving by asking these questions: "What do you think?" "What's the benefit or downside to doing that?" "How would that work?"
7. Don't send employees email or text messages at night—it adds unnecessary stress and expectations. Create a draft and send it in the morning. Everyone needs down time.
8. When an organization fails to address poor performers and substandard work, it's the top performers that leave.
9. More than six direct reports is too many. Rethink the reporting structure to create supervisors or leaders who will manage work, monitor results and report progress or gaps.
10. Remote workers have the same organizational responsibilities as on-site workers. Make sure certain technology provides reliable support. Keep communication open and frequent. Initiate two or three brief phone meetings a week, and include off-site workers in all staff meetings—no matter how brief.
11. Use flip charts to dramatically improve meetings, move discussions forward and assign actions. Paper is permanent and allows you to refer back to ideas.
12. When in the office, individual and upbeat morning greetings set the tone for the day. Don't leave anyone out.
13. Formally assign backup staff for all jobs at all times, not just for vacation. This encourages teamwork, ensuring completion of work and service of clients.
14. Handle sensitive issues with care. Avoid email. Meet in person and pay attention to body language. Ask another manager to be present if appropriate.
15. Don't believe what others tell you about your employees. Get proof. Observe.
16. Take the career development aspect of your role seriously. When you help others achieve their goals, they will help you achieve yours.

Emily Huling is the author of “Selling from the Inside,” “Great Service Sells,” and “Kick Your ‘But.’”