Regardless of whether you are new to the leadership role or have been leading people for decades, there is always an opportunity to improve your management skills.
One of the most important leadership skills you will need is the ability to bring out the best effort in each of your employees. You will use different management strategies for each person you lead. Discovering what each employee needs from you will be one of your greatest challenges.
Failing to communicate clearly with employees is one of the top complaints employees have about their boss. If you are looking to improve your management skills focus on making meaningful connections with your employees.
Some tips about managing people you probably already know, but are worth repeating:
- Don’t micromanage
- Make time for your employees and schedule regular meetings
- Be a good listener
- Provide immediate and constructive feedback
- Publicly recognize employee achievements
- Communicate clear expectations
- Ask employees how you can best support them
- Follow through on your promises
- Be open to new and opposing ideas
- Don’t take credit for other people’s ideas
- Provide both informal and formal learning, development and training opportunities for all staff
- Lead by example
- Provide inspiration
- Get to know your employees and ask about their lives outside of work.
- If you manage a large workforce it may be impossible to get to know all your staff, but you should make your best effort to learn employees’ names. The simple gesture of addressing someone by their name can be instrumental in building relationships with your employees.
Looking for more ideas on leadership and management? Check out these Best Management Books at smallbiztrends and learn to be a better manager in 2017.
