How can you be the most effective manager possible? Follow these five habits to greatly increase your chances of positively influencing the lives of the people on your team.
#1: Teach Daily
Effective managers understand the value of putting time and energy into developing people. These managers know that if they leverage opportunities to be a teacher (instead of a commander), they gain respect from their employees and maximize their influence as a leader.As actor Kevin Spacey once said, “If you have done well, it’s your responsibility to send the elevator back down.” In other words, you’ve been chosen as a leader because of your achievements, and it’s your responsibility to facilitate your employees’ development so that they can have the opportunity to achieve that same level of success.
#2: Become an Investigator
When an employee makes a mistake or a problem occurs with an individual’s performance, it’s easy to place blame. Before rushing to judgment, ask yourself (or the employee) these vital questions:
- Was this their first time?
- Was anything holding them back from being successful?
- Did they enjoy this type of work?
- Did they have everything they needed?
- Did they understand the value of their actions?
- Did they know how the end result should look?
- Did they know how success would be measured?
- Were they properly supported?
#3: Challenge the Comfort Zone
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to help employees break out of their shells and challenge them to reach beyond their comfort zone. Consider this: If everyone stayed within their comfort zone and never challenged themselves, how would organizations increase revenue, gain new customers, and innovate?
Challenge your employees to approach things that they might be uncomfortable with and give them your unconditional support while doing so. If they fail, be sure they know you are their safety net—so they can have the courage to achieve new levels of results.
#4: Collaborate Instead of Command
Many leaders take the “Because I Said So” approach to decision making. They reason that their title and perceived power will get results. The truth, though, is that when people are “told” to do something just because their superior demands it, they have a tendency to rebel. They will either perform at a lower level or choose not to complete the task at all.
When making decisions, be sure consult with key stakeholders. Remember to communicate the “why” behind your decisions and what value it will bring to your employees. If your people know why something is important, they’ll be more invested in it.
#5: Be Your Employees’ Biggest Fan
Your employees exist to make the organization successful. But they also chose to apply and accept the position because they want to grow in their careers. When one of your employees comes to you with a concern or an idea about the direction of their careers, listen carefully. Make sure they know that they have your unconditional support. Simply stated, be your employees’ biggest fan and encourage them every step of the way.
Want to know more about how to be an effective manager and hire and retain the very best talent? Join me April 15th for the webinar The Ground Floor Leader: A Manager’s Guide to Hiring Future Leaders.
