4 critical actions for managers
If you want to be a successful manager, it is critical that you make the following activities part of your regular routine:
1. Consider employees’ perspectives. See the workplace and your management style from each of your employees’ viewpoints. Then empathize with each person. How would you feel if you were your employees? Be the type of boss you would want managing you.
2. Listen to understand. Encourage people to share their feedback and concerns. More than that, actually hear what they’re saying. Don’t tune people out, shoot them down or insult them.
3. Set goals they agree with. If you want employees to work hard to reach their goals, you must offer them some say-so in the process. Hold sessions with each employee to establish performance goals and create a plan for reaching them.
4. Provide feedback and support. Regularly check in with employees to ensure that they are progressing toward their goals and to uncover obstacles that are blocking their success. Make it a point to communicate with each of your team members daily, and provide advice and resources as needed.
— Adapted from “Core Responsibilities for Effective Managers,” Dan Bobinski, www.management-issues.com.
