Being a good manager is all about running the show while producing effective results. You are not only seen as a leader but are also expected to be fair and approachable. For many managers, their duties are limited to getting the work done, however, how you get the work done is equally important and one cannot learn to do so overnight.
So unless you hail from a management background or are trained to do so, you may find yourself in a tight spot. The good news is that it is not impossible to become the perfect manager – following these tips will help you understand management more deeply and help you become a more effective manager.
1) Delegate work wisely:
The key to effective management is to delegate the work – you should assign responsibilities and tasks to your employees. Most employers feel they have to control every small thing their employees do, and this can be disastrous at your position.
When you delegate work to your employees, you are multiplying the quantity of work that can be accomplished. Also, you are helping develop your employees’ capabilities, leadership skills and confidence.
2) Set achievable goals:
Every employee must have something to work for and therefore it is the duty of a manager to set goals that his subordinate will strive for. Not only will these goals give the employees a new purpose and direction, they will also ensure that all employees are marching towards the larger organizational goals.
So fix measurable goals and regularly monitor the progress towards their accomplishment.
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3) Communication is essential:
There are managers who do not understand the importance of communication – this can be bad for them as well as the organization. On many occasions, managers have to serve as the link between the top management and the executive-level employees.
Whether you have news related to work or whether it is an informal interaction, a good manager always makes an effort to keep his subordinates in the loop. Employees must remain updated as to what has to be done how in order to do their job efficiently and on time.
READ MORE: 7 Phrases Employees Want to Hear from their Boss
4) Make time for your subordinates:
Management is mainly about making people work. When an employee needs to talk to you, you must make sure that you make time to see him and step aside for a discussion.
It is okay to put your work on the back-burner for a moment and focus on this person in need of your assistance.
5) Recognize achievements:
Every individual is hungry for appreciation. The day you begin appreciating your team for their efforts, you subordinates will be a happier lot. All employees are, at some point or the other, seeking praise for the work they do. However, very few bosses understand this need and do not do much to contribute towards recognizing and rewarding them for a task done well.
Thus, if you want your employees to have job satisfaction it is vital to give them a pat on their backs. To be a good leader, you must show your good qualities to the world and inspire others.
You will have to be the change you wish to see in others. So start behaving as you would want your subordinates to behave at work. However, do not forget in the process that your role and position are different from the other employees.
6) Come up with lasting solutions:
Managers must be effective problem solvers. No matter how huge a problem is, there is always a solution to it.
The trouble with coming up with quick fixes is that in your enthusiasm to come up with quick solutions and move on to another task, you may overlook another viable option that may have taken longer to develop and apply but could have been a long-lasting solution.
A good manager believes in dealing with the root cause of the problem, rather than just superficially fixing it.
7) Stop playing the blame game:
It will always be someone’s fault. Fingers can be pointed towards you. Not that you should start pointing fingers to evade the situation! It is possible that you do not have a stellar team, but that should not mean you should settle for mediocrity in work. You must hold the power to inspire employees so that they exceed all expectations. You do possess the power to sack people who aren’t doing what they were hired to do.
However, you can’t go on blaming everyone in the team for one person’s failure to perform or your own failure to lead.
Bonus) Build on people’s strengths:
A lot of managers target the weaknesses of employees and talk about how to improve them. You should distinguish yourself by paying special attention to core areas that represent the strength of your subordinates. This will encourage them and this is how you will receive your biggest return on investment.
Conclusion:
Being a good manager can be a challenge sometimes and in order to succeed in this position, you must realize that your success is directly dependent on the success of your team. So go on and motivate your subordinates as happy workers bring more productivity and respect to their manager.
Author: Devika Arora is a prolific writer who compiles relevant facts and analyzes the current state of affairs pertaining to education and career building on behalf of Shiksha.com.
