When you’re the manager of a business, you may think it’s your job to run the show. In a roundabout way, that may be true, but it’s certainly not the full picture.
The best manager doesn’t run the business; they organise others to run the business for them. When it comes down to it, management isn’t about numbers, or money, or task delegation, it’s about people.
Unless you’re a solo operator, your business relies on others for its ongoing success. The most successful businesses are those that have satisfied employees. In turn, the best way to have satisfied employees is to actively include them in the success of your business.
To help you be the best manager you can be, here are seven tips that will make your management position enjoyable, effective, and exceptional.
1 Don’t raise yourself above others
Unfortunately, on occasion, managers let their positions of increased power go to their heads. While it’s true that, as a manager, you will be taking on more responsibility, and you may become more integral to the organisation, this does not make you more important than people in other positions. Every position in a given business is important. If it wasn’t, it would become redundant.
Every person in your organisation, from the cleaner to the CEO, is a valuable human, that has been employed to fulfil a specific task. A great manager will see the integral worth of every business position, and will treat each position equally. If you treat all employees with the same amount of respect, you will see increased personal satisfaction in all areas of your business.
2 Listen to everyone
As a manager, you are not expected to know how to do every job in your organisation. An intelligent manager employs people who have expertise and training in a specific field, and utilises the inherent skills of each person, to fulfil specific tasks. As a manager, it is important to listen to the opinions of employees in every position. Their life skills and previous experience may give them insights that can increase productivity for your company.
It is also important to actively listen when your employees are dissatisfied with aspects of their position. If you are seen by employees as taking a proactive role in improving their working life, you will gain both respect for yourself, and loyalty for your company.
3 Be generous with your time
As a manager, one of your key responsibilities is to be available to your team. The malleable nature of any organisation means that people who work for you will always come up against new challenges. They will then require your expertise in order to discover the best way forward. A great manager will never make their staff feel rushed, or less important than other tasks, and will make time to assist their staff in all relevant business processes.
4 Delegate intelligently
Delegation is key to the role of an effective manager. However, there is the potential for delegation to be approached poorly, which will result in decreased performance, and disgruntled workers. It is important in delegating tasks to mold the role to the employee, and not the reverse.
By offering tasks that utilise an employee’s existing strengths, you will not only increase efficiency, but will give your employees a sense of responsibility and importance within your organisation. If you frequently assign tasks that your staff are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, though, you not only run the risk of a decrease in productivity, but can also foster self doubt and dissatisfaction among your employees.
5 Lead by example
Leading by example is one of the best ways to get the most out of your staff. You don’t need to do every job, but if you show that you are working just as hard as the people you’re managing, you will be more likely to garner their respect.
It is even more important to lead by example when it comes to attitude. If you show negativity towards your workplace, employers, policies, and staff, all of the people who look to you for guidance will feel it too. Even if you feel these things, consider the greater good of your company, and keep your team’s spirits up.
6 Be transparent
You will get much more out of your staff if you tell them why they are performing particular tasks, than if you just ordered them to perform those tasks with no explanation. Trust in the intelligence of the people that work for you, and treat them as equals when it comes to project information. If possible, let them know budgets, timeframes, and results of meetings, as this will allow them to be much more invested in their jobs.
Further this by giving your staff ownership and accountability over their jobs. You will find that people will often rise to the challenge, if they feel that the things they are doing are of importance to the overall company or project.
7 Recognise a job well done
All too often, staff are only approached by management to be informed of their failings, as it is assumed that doing a good job is just part of the job. While that may be true, the acknowledgement of excellence will motivate your staff much better than reprimands and negativity. It is a very small thing for a manager to take a minute to offer words of encouragement and appreciation, but it will make a world of difference to your staff.
Financial incentives are also an amazing motivator, and if you are in a position to offer this, it will serve to improve staff morale if it is given when deserved. It is the recognition, though, more so than the money, that will continue to elicit quality performance from your employees.
The most important thing to remember, as a manager, is that your management style should not be one fixed thing. Your management styles should reflect the personalities and responsibilities of your employees, and should be tailored individually to fit each one. By being an adaptable manager, you will achieve greater success for yourself, your team, and your business.
Melissa Penn is the National Franchise General Manager at First Class Capital, one of Australia’s most progressive lenders, and supporters of small business. She has more than 20 years’ experience in management, media, and marketing roles, as well as extensive experience as a creative entrepreneur.
Taking great pride in helping others succeed, Melissa is motivated to share her extensive knowledge on all aspects of business, management, and personal growth.
Find out more at: www.firstclasscapital.com.au