11 Ways To Be A Great Manager

Many people believe they are good managers.  However, it has been said that people join companies but leave managers.

So maybe some of them aren’t doing as good a job as they might.  Follow these tips to be a great manager.

1.  COMMUNICATE:  Share relevant and important company and industry information with your team.   It shows you’re interested in their opinions.  Promote your team’s activities to the rest of the company.
2. MENTOR: Be the person your team go to for queries.   If you don’t have answers, find them out.  Explain to your team what is expected of the and set deliverable milestones.  Make time available for one-to-ones.
3. DELEGATE: Teach your staff how to do things; guide them, but don’t micro-manage.  Enjoy watching them develop.
4. MOTIVATE: Talk to your team, find out what’s important to them and act on it.  Offer them training courses if it’s learning.  If it’s health, give them time to go the gym.  Depending on your position in the business, consider alternative reward schemes.
5. ACKNOWLEDGE: Recognise and praise success and initiative.  Don’t just focus on the more challenging members of staff.
6. LEARN: Discuss what went well and what could have been done better.  Learn from your mistakes and successes and encourage your staff to do the same.
7. SOCIALISE: Have a drink outside of work with your team and be confident enough to let your guard down.
8. SUPPORT: Let then know you’re on their side.  This is especially important when you have to tell them they are making a mistake or shooting themselves in the foot.
9. SMILE: Keep your cool and sense of humour, even during a crisis.
10. COMPLEMENT: Provide a balance to individuals’ skills.  For example, if they are detail-orientated, keep them in mind of the big picture.  If they are big strategy thinkers, help them plan and keep track of their tasks and commitments.
11. RESPECT: Treat your staff as they want to be treated – with honesty, trust and respect.

Final thought:  If you are insightful, self-aware and have a genuine interest in your team’s development you are well on your way to being a great manager.