Walk the corridors often, and stand at the door before ameeting starts and listen to what people say as they comein, she says. You may think your employees feel comfortablediscussing personal or professional issues that areaffecting their state of mind, but you're probablywrong.

"You might have an open culture, but people learn fromprevious jobs to keep their mouths shut," shesays. "Employees try to hide their feelings because they areafraid of a punitive backlash if they say anything."

The best way to counteract that kind of wariness is totalk to your staff in a consistent, honest manner.