There's a strong likelihood that you'll have to perform some management duties at some point in your career, even if your job title doesn't include the word "manager." And because practically all of your obligations as an entrepreneur involve some form of management, you are already one.
In other words, it is your staff who will carry out your vision, and it is your responsibility to ensure that they do so effectively.
But motivating your staff to perform harder or more effectively is only one aspect of being an effective manager. While being overly lenient might result in unhealthy habits, lethargy, or boredom, forcing employees to work in a particular way can breed resentment and even treachery. There is no "correct" management style because every person and firm will view things differently.
But there are some management techniques that are always "bad." By adhering to these 10 "golden" principles of efficient management, you can avoid them:
1. Be dependable
Because it relates to the majority of the other rules, this one is the first. Your management strategy needs to be consistent in order to be successful. Every member of your team must be treated equally and rationally, and the same behaviors that are rewarded when they occur must also be discouraged when they do.
2. Strive for thoroughness, accuracy, and clarity in communication
The way you interact with your team will likely determine how successful you are. When communicating directions, summarizing meetings, or simply providing corporate updates, make an effort to be complete, accurate, and clear in your communication. This holds true for any other kind of communication, including phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings. The greatest method to prevent misunderstandings and keep your team on the same page is to communicate with clarity, accuracy, and thoroughness.
3. Decide to collaborate as a team
Have your team members collaborate on something if you want them to work well together. Setting only departmental or personal goals encourages a narrow mindset and keeps team members apart. Instead, inspire your employees as a whole by giving them a shared vision and mission.
4. Publicly commend and honor the effort
Reward your team members when they perform admirably by giving them a bonus, a modest trophy, or even simply a verbal commendation. Make the intended recipient feel happy and demonstrate to the team that hard work pays off by doing this in front of everyone. The one exception is found in rule one: Be fair with your incentives to avoid appearing to favor certain people.
5. Set a good example
You should set an example for others to follow as the manager and leader. The punctuality of your staff will suffer if you arrive late. If you have a short fuse, it will be difficult for people to control their emotions around you. Be your own concept of the ideal employee, particularly in front of the team.
6. Never use a "one-size-fits-all" approach
Each member of your team has their own preferences, strengths, limitations, and ideas. Never motivate, encourage, or shape them all using the same strategy. Concentrate on the individual and adapt your strategy to suit them.
7. Maintain as much openness as you can
Transparency fosters trust among team members and demonstrates your integrity as a leader. Your relationships and the respect you command as a leader could be in jeopardy if you lie or omit information.
8. Encourage all viewpoints and suggestions
It is better to have more people actively engaged in conversations and seeking to improve the organization. Never berate a team member for respectfully expressing an opinion, especially if it differs from your initial plan or wasn't properly thought through. Putting someone down for having an opinion breeds anger and prevents others from expressing their own original ideas.
9. Make people enjoy their jobs
To make work enjoyable, you don't need a pool table or to abolish the dress code. With innovative features like unexpected lunch excursions, a designated break space, or even just casual talks with your staff, you can make the workday more pleasurable. Make work enjoyable for your employees, and they'll provide their best.
10. Pay attention and inquire
Don't silence someone who disagrees with your management style or the company's course if they have an opinion. Listen. And ask your staff as a whole, "What do you think about this?" What do you think of that? This open communication makes it simpler to proactively recognize issues and cooperate to establish an atmosphere that benefits both parties. Additionally, it will help your staff feel valued and recognized.
Conclusion
As you'll see, these guidelines provide you with a lot of leeways to practice your own unique "brand" of management and leadership. Instead of serving as a rigorous guide to success, they stand as essential truths, considerations, and rules that govern an effective management function. You may bring your team together in a fulfilling and stimulating environment if you uphold these beliefs in addition to your own.
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