Tips for Being a Successful Manager and Leader
Some people dream of being the boss, while others aim towards being a leader. What is the difference? Well, apart from the images from motivational posters, some people simply enjoy having underlings, while others aim to inspire and push their group forward to do great things. Here are a few tips on becoming a great manager and leader.
Communicate
In any good relationship, whether personal or business, communication is the key. It is more than just talking about goals and problems, though those two can sometimes be a huge chunk of relationship communication. It is about reaching an understanding, seeing how the other person feels and acting appropriately. People feel validated when their input is welcomed and appreciated. Create an environment where your employees can freely state their ideas and concerns.
When relaying what your goals are, be transparent and open to questions. Your team needs to know what is expected of them and that they can come to you if they are not 100% sure what the project or their role is all about.
Delegate
Many get confused by this one and think that it is the same as dumping their workload onto someone else. It’s not. It is about recognizing your own limits and trying to overcome them by getting your team involved. It is also a good way to give your employees a chance to prove themselves.
Synergize
Know the strengths and weaknesses of your team. When taking on a project, see which parts of it are best suited for which member of your team. Finding out the best way to fulfill your goals is what produces great results, an increase in team morale, and a stronger bond between you all.
Accept Responsibility, Share Success
No one wants to follow a manager who is a fair-weather friend. Know when to accept responsibility for your team’s and your own shortcomings and give credit where credit is due. Every employee that has performed well and especially when it was above expectations should be praised for it.
Teach
As the manager, or leader, it is your responsibility to train new recruits. That means that you are the one that teaches them the protocols, the way certain tasks are done, and to follow their progress in order to help them in the future if need be.
Inspire
There are always going to be bad projects or times where the team is low on energy. You, as their leader, are in charge of keeping the people motivated and eager to go the extra mile. Lead by example and don’t expect your team to work overtime if you are not willing to do it yourself.
The Don’ts
Do not micromanage. If you assigned your team or team member a task, you need to trust them that it is going to be completed. Do not take over their projects, as this puts unnecessary strain on yourself and your employees.
Don’t avoid conversations. Sometimes it is about sharing crucial information, but it is also about your employees being comfortable about approaching you.
Don’t exercise authority for no reason. If you feel like your authority is being challenged, ask yourself whether this is a good way of dealing with the problem. Should your team listen to you because you are the manager, or are you the manager because your team listens to you?