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Being able to manage a team effectively is essential for business productivity and success. Not only does management affect the company as a whole, but it also influences individual employees. Having better management skills often results in having employees that are satisfied with their working life, which ultimately increases their efforts and productivity, and encourages them to remain with the company for much longer. All of these things ultimately result in better financial gain for the business. Developing the habits that make a good manager is a consistent learning curve. While each organisation and industry will implement different styles of management, here are eight tips that will help you to become a better manager overall.
Table of Contents
1. Lead By Example
There is nothing worse than a manager telling you what to do whilst they sit down, chill out and drink their morning coffee. Are you going to be motivated to work and do as they say if they don’t do the job themselves? Definitely not. As a manager, your staff need to see you actively engaging with tasks and helping them out wherever you can, not just delegating all the jobs to others and giving yourself an easy time. Lead by example and show them that you are a motivated and hardworking team member, so they follow your lead and do the same.
2. Know Your Employees
Getting to know your colleagues on both a professional and personal level is a great managerial advantage. Professionally, you need to be aware of their strengths within the company and where they feel most comfortable in order to maximise their performance. Knowing who works well together and who will get distracted easily by each other means you can effectively manage the team in ways to get the best results. And being friends with your colleagues definitely is not a bad thing. Connecting with them personally can make your life a little easier as they are more willing to listen and take instructions from you.
3. Effectively Delegate Tasks
Being able to delegate tasks effectively is one of the most important skills to acquire as a manager. You want to produce the best results in the fastest time possible. You don’t need to be involved in every aspect of the business, but you need to know who has the capabilities to provide you with the outcomes that you need. Delegating tasks empowers your employees to take control and knowing who is able to handle this will help you create the most efficient work model for the company. This goes hand in hand with getting to know your colleagues; play to their strengths and have them learn from each other.
4. Communicate
In most aspects of life, effective communication helps avoid conflict, complications and a lot of negative feelings. You need to be able to effectively communicate to your staff members what is expected of them and create a relationship and environment in which they are not afraid to ask questions and seek guidance from you. Always be clear and forthcoming with your instructions and keep them updated with any information that my assist them in their tasks. Although it takes two to tango, it is your job as the manager to set the standard for effective and open communication between staff members and highlight any instances where this could be improved.
5. Performance Updates
If people aren’t aware of how they are performing, they cannot make improvements. Having regular performance updates allows you to converse with your staff and build on that level of communication that is required for the business to run smoothly. Providing them with constructive criticism and examples of how improvements could be made in a light and encouraging manner is essential, you do not want to appear as if you are picking on them. Don’t forget to mention the areas in which they are performing well too. Performance updates also give you the opportunity to see if there is anything you can do which will help them to succeed.
6. Improve Yourself
You need to be able to take constructive criticism and advice from others and use it to better yourself as a manager. Don’t be afraid to admit when you make a mistake; in fact, mistakes just show that you’re human and may help your employees relate to you more and learn with you. In a managerial position, there is always something new to learn or improvements to be made. Taking an MSC in management and innovation online is an effective route to take to improve yourself as a manager. An MSC innovation and management at Aston University dives deep into methods that will allow you to unleash the potential of teams, processes and products with a creative perspective and develop the ability to respond to challenges, problems and opportunities effectively.
7. Actively Listen
You know when you’re talking to someone and you see their eyes glaze over, their mind wanders away and you just know they aren’t taking in anything that you are saying? Annoying, right? As a manager, you have to actively listen to what your colleagues are saying, whether it be positive or negative, and respond effectively. If someone isn’t happy about something, they will come to you, and you need to be the one to handle the problem. Give time to your employees when they come to you with an idea or issue; if possible, sit them down and act upon what they are telling you. Don’t forget that they are confiding in you in hopes of seeing change.
8. Praise Good Work
Rewards aren’t always about big bonusses and time off. People want to be recognised and appreciated for the hard work they are putting in. Give praise where praise is due. Don’t go overboard as it will become meaningless, but make sure that you point out and acknowledge when people are working hard and doing a good job. Praise and manners go hand in hand; make sure you don’t just tell them they’re doing good, but thank them for it too! A little bit of kindness goes a long way.
There is no such thing as a perfect manager, but if you follow these ten tips and are willing to grow, learn, make mistakes and cooperate, you will be able to become the best manager that you can possibly be.
