7 Tips to be more effective as a manager

 

Ineffective managers can have a negative effect on a business. Their actions and attitude towards their team will influence and effect the way that each individual operates and the focus must be on how to achieve results and motivate the team working with you.

 

1) Be proactive

 

Many managers take a reactive approach to dealing with issues and will leave situations until boiling point before taking action to resolve a matter. An effective manager will be able to identify when tensions are rising and often intervening at any early stage can defuse a situation and allow you to take control.

 

2) Acknowledge the positive

 

Make sure that you see the positives in your staff and their work. By only focusing on the negative aspects of each individual, you risk demoralising people and decreasing their productivity. I’m sure you have heard the term ‘positivity breeds positivity’, and you may be surprised how far genuine and meaningful praise can go. Obviously things don’t always go right or according to plan during the working day, but by giving clear instruction and praise when things are put right, your team will be encouraged and remain motivated to complete their tasks.  Adopt an approach which is focussed on continuous learning, particularly if mistakes or errors are made.  It is fine for managers to hold others to account for the work they produce, this can help to create the right performance culture based on high quality and achieving good business outcomes.

 

3) Lead by example

 

If you want your team to behave in a certain way, then lead by example. It’s not fair to expect your employees to do something if you are not doing this yourself.  It is important to model good effective behaviour to staff.  Anyone in a management role knows that they are constantly in the spotlight and other team members will look for your lead, particularly during periods of significant challenge or adversity.  Many managers find it helpful to ‘walk the floor’ by being close to the front end operations of the business, seeking feedback from those at the sharp end who are delivering services or providing products for the end consumer. 

 

4) Select the best people

A manager is only as good as the team around them. Give yourself a better chance to succeed by carefully selecting the right people for the job when recruiting, having a positive induction process to ensure the new employee is up to speed quickly and effectively performance managing the team that you inherit so they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.  If any individuals are under performing, adopt a fair and consistent approach in line with your internal policies to encourage and support improvement.

 

5) Communicate

Communication may be the most important aspect of effective management. Without effective communication, you can’t motivate or lead your team and they won’t understand the goal that you are working towards. Your team will depend on your communication so it’s worth investing the time to ensure that this is being achieved. Effective communication comes with practice, so keep at it and you will find the best method that works for you and your team.  Team engagement should be a regular two way process, enabling all staff to feel valued and make a contribution towards team success.  Consider if your staff engagement processes are working effectively in the minds of those you are managing.

 

6) Improve yourself

Ensure that you make time to reflect on your own development needs yourself. If you focus too much on the development of your team and forget about yourself, people will not feel like they are able to progress working under you. Keep your own development plan interesting and varied and take advice from those who can share the necessary knowledge to help you succeed.  Identify areas in which you need to develop and work to improve them to keep yourself motivated and ahead of the game.

 

7) Take a break

Excessive amounts of stress means you are likely to less effective as a manager. Give yourself a chance to relax and recharge your batteries, so that you can remain sharp and keep the momentum of your productivity. It’s a fact that you are likely to be less tolerant when stressed, so ensure that you make the time to have a good work-life balance.  Think about your own health and wellbeing, as well as that of your team.  Businesses that adopt a supportive and positive approach to proactive wellbeing are likely to have less stress related absence, lower staff turnover and higher levels of productivity and output.

 

If you would like to discuss how your business can develop its approach to leadership and management, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the team here at Tamar HR.