How to be a Great Manager

It takes a lot of hard work, insight and integrity to become a great manager. Great managers don’t come around all the time in the workplace. In fact, if you think back to the managers you’ve had, you’ll probably come up with only one or two that you thought were really great. Here are 10 things you can do to become a great manager:

1. Strong leadership qualities and decision making
In order to be a great manager, you need the confidence and competency to lead staff members to accomplish the company’s goals and objectives. This includes planning what needs to be done and delegating tasks to the right team members. Being a strong leader also means being able to make tough decisions under tight deadlines and pressure. You need the foresight to see what is best for the long-term success of the company.

2. Set clear expectations

Employees work best when they know what is expected of them. Set deliverable milestones and objectives for each employee and set up performance reviews so every employee knows how they’re performing and can actively work to improve. You can also set group goals to encourage a strong team work environment.

3. Create a positive job environment

Create the kind of environment that allows good employees to work at their best. Staff should know they’re expected to work hard when they come into the office, but they should also enjoy being there. Encourage group collaboration and create opportunities for staff to bond with one another. Treat all employees equally and deal fairly with everyone regardless of personal feelings towards them. Discourage office gossip and cliques and encourage team work and inclusion.

4. Be devoted to the success and wellbeing of your team

As a manager, your success is dependent on the success of your team. A great manager cares about the success of each individual team member. They also care about the personal wellbeing of their team and go out of their way to protect, train and reward them. The more your team knows you care about their wellbeing and success, the more willing they are to work hard for you and put in extra hours and effort when needed.

5. Invest in your people

Being a great manager involves seeing the long-term rewards. Be willing to invest in getting to know your team members and taking the time to offer training and guidance when needed. Great managers see good employees as assets and take the time to contribute to their growth and development.

6. Be a role model

Be the type of leader others aspire to be like. Managers gain respect when they have high expertise and decision making abilities in their field, and when they have a positive approach to managing others. Lead by example when it comes to accepting constructive criticism and dealing with everyone fairly. You should also trust your team to accomplish tasks and be reliable and trustworthy to your team.

7. Inspire others

When you’re genuinely passionate about the work you do, and the work that your company does, it shows. Use your own passion and motivation for the work to inspire others to also see the bigger picture and love what they do. Inspired people don’t just show up to work for 8 hours; they innovate and reach new heights.

8. Show positive recognition

While every employee would love a raise every 6 months, that’s not the only thing staff members value in the workplace. Positive recognition builds up your team members and shows them that their hard work is not going unnoticed. Positive recognition boosts your staff’s confidence and also motivates them to work harder. It’s free and it goes a long way in boosting the morale and making staff feel appreciated.

9. Constructively communicate

In order to be a great manager, you have to know how to communicate effectively and constructively. Decide what forms of communication work best for your team and environment and stick to it. Some managers meet individually with team members while others send out newsletters or hold departmental or entire staff meetings. Whichever combination you choose, communication is key to having all staff on the same page and allowing everyone to do their job more efficiently.

10. Treat others the way you would want to be treated

It’s amazing how many places this golden rule applies, and the workplace is no exception. As a manager, you may be making decisions and holding employees accountable for their performance but that doesn’t mean you can’t show dignity and respect while doing it. Treat your team members the way you’d like to be treated by your superiors.

Knowing how to be a great manager is the best thing you can do for your career. Genuinely caring about your team and delivering high quality services in the workplace is the first step to becoming a great manager. By following these 10 steps you can learn what it takes and work on becoming a great manager.http://www.jobstreet.com.my/career-resources/great-manager/