Five Steps to Becoming a Better Manager

Being a better manager does not require a complex system. It just requires being willing to put in some extra effort to have more loyal and productive employees. There are five quick and easy steps you can take to start on the road to becoming a better manager today…

1) Know Your Employees. Managers need to take some time to get to know their employees including who they are as people. Knowing basic information about an employee such as their spouse’s name, children’s names, outside interests, etc. make an employee feel more valued as a person instead of merely just a worker. Also, make sure to keep an open door policy so employees can feel free to address any issue they might have with you.

2) Always Treat Your Employees with Respect. The ‘golden rule’ is not just something to teach kids. It is an important piece of a cohesive workplace. Nobody wants to be embarrassed, bullied, demeaned, etc. by their boss and very few employees respond well to this type of style. It is also important to say thank you and recognize an employee for a job well done.

3) Ask for Help and Admit Mistakes. All too often managers are afraid to admit they do not know something or did not handle a situation the best they could have. Why? It is impossible for anybody to know everything. So, people will make a mistake from time to time. Managers who know their limitations and admit mistakes are often times more respected by their employees than those that do not.

4) Follow and Enforce the Rules. Managers need to set expectations up front and be consistent and fair to all employees no matter their rank, this includes you too.

5) Think Twice About Emails and Text Messages. There are some things that are more effective when said in person and not through the written word. Many things can be misinterpreted and taken out of context reading an email or text message, so be careful.

Step on the road to becoming a better manager by putting these five simple steps into practice and watch as your employees become more productive, engaged and loyal.