Having excellent staff is key to your successInteractionswith staff as a faculty member. Staff often are the front door to your office, clinic, or lab and can play a major role in enhancing your image. It is important that you create and maintain positive relationshipsRelationships with staff and understand how to deal effectively with issues involving them. Successful interactions require knowledge of the organizational structureOrganizational structure of your staff and how they are to report to you (i.e., directly or via a supervisor). You should know your role in their performance evaluationsPerformanceevaluation, if they are members of a union, and whether they are paid hourly or salaried. Staff should be treated with respect and never be considered unimportant subordinates who are merely assigned to do your work. Excellent interactions with your staff will enhance your productivityProductivity while negative interactions will diminish it. Knowing the resources for dealing with underperforming or disruptive staff members is important.