If you could offer one piece of advice for becoming a better manager, what would it be?
There are varying opinions & perspectives on what it takes to become a good manager. What is one piece of advice you'd give to become a more effective manager?
It's not the only way but it will set a foundation to build other practices on. Care about your people. Care enough about them to lead them to their full potential.
LISTEN. I learned this the hard way. As a new manager, I thought I knew it all and boy did that screw things up! Instead, take time to listen to your team and evaluate the situation from many angles. I found that even if I had to disagree with an employee if I listened to them first they were OK with the different direction. People want to be heard and valued. This is what separate the OK managers from the great ones.
Constantly be developing yourself as a person who inspires with choices that respect the people who work for you as much as the company. Be a person of uncompromising honesty, transparency, self control, ethics, humanity and wisdom.
Don't speak platitudes. Communicate to build relationships. Hold yourself to a higher standard than those you are in charge of. Commit to your own humility daily.
I heard somewhere that "employees leave bosses, not companies" while I was in a job and this line changed me forever. Love your team like your family and they can get an even bullet for you.
My honest answer to this question based on my managerial experience is understanding and communication.
There was a time i asked my co-workers under me to do things, they grumbled and did that work in a bad way. i sat down and analyzed the situation. I had to put myself in their shoes and recalled how i had given out instructions.
Then i came up with another approach which is 1. trying to understand their feelings 2. communication.
The moment i understood them and was able to communicate effectively with them, there was no problem between me and them.
I got maximum result and my subordinates like me. Note that the kind of people i managed where older than i am and i was able to coordinate them well. In this part of the world age matters yet i am able to achieve results.
We now relate on personal terms like hommies. This has been my key in the different organizations i have worked. I trust this approach can give result anywhere since it can be effective in a country like mine in Africa, it can be effective any where in the world.
I hope this real case scenario is helpful to you.
thanks
Listen and LEARN, just because you manage does not mean that you are the expert in certain areas, in which your staff are most likely to be well versed within their roles. Listen, Learn and the Lead. Sometimes all they need is an ear to help then work through a object or issue.
Listen to your employees! A great manager recognizes that they have just as much to learn from their employees as the employees have to learn from the manager.
Treat your associates as you would customers. Listen to them. Have a genuine interest when they come to you. Do not ask them to do something you would not. Share happenings and changes as soon as possible so your people find out what could effect their jobs and lives from you and not he "grapevine".
My one piece of advice would be to do whatever it takes to make your team as successful as it can be. Support them, do not interfere with them. I like to think of this similar to that of a coach. A coach is measured byu the success of his/her team, so give them the tools, skills and motivation ot be successful.
Consistent themes of leading by example and listening to one's team are both critical. I would add that to become a better manager, one needs to understand, on top of what was already mentioned, how to put his/her team into the best positions to succeed. That is through taking the time to understand their personalities, who does what the best, along with understanding team dynamics. If your team members are doing tasks that do not complement their basic skillset, one will not become a better manager.
It's not the only way but it will set a foundation to build other practices on. Care about your people. Care enough about them to lead them to their full potential.
Listen to your subordinates. So few managers really do, and the ones that do seem to be more successful.
Make a decision, regardless of it being right or wrong, you have be make choices dont be scared to do that make a choice. Be Honest as well, people see through all the BS that is out there, they are not dumb or stupid.
Listening is the best leadership skill when associated with guiding the associate to discovering workable solutions.
A good manager leads by example. Also, being open minded and listing to what your team has to say, and accepting recommendations. Being able to show consideration and compassion, while still keeping the respect for your position as the manager.
Good points here. It is a sign of a good manager to be able to lead by example, and take criticism when things turn out not exactly how they are planned, then make the necessary changes as well to make his/her team more successful.