Stepping into a management position can be thrilling. More money, more power, more perks. People suddenly recognize that your initiative and leadership skills are commendable, and at the start, you bask in their admiration and unspoken envy. The first step is fun, but every step after that is hard work. Tight budgets, diminishing resources, lack of skilled workers, and people who report to you (who think they'd do a better job than you are doing), all make management a serious challenge. Whether you're a first-time manager or a seasoned one of several years, there are some things you can do that will make your employees happier, and your job more secure.
Familiarize yourself with the budget. Understanding and controlling the financial aspects of your department are key to your management success. Decisions about staffing, equipment, and paychecks are made based on the numbers in the spreadsheets. If you get a grip on how to use the budget to predict capacity, cost, and variance, you will have a much clearer picture of how your group fits into the company picture. You will also stand on firmer ground when discussing financial issues with your employees.
Communicate honestly with the people around you, all the time, in a timely way. Nobody likes surprises in the workplace. If you try to hide things from employees or reassure them that there is "no problem"--whether it's about financial problems in the company, impending layoffs, performance issues, or whatever--and then have to reverse yourself suddenly when action must be taken to correct the problem, you send a clear signal that you cannot be trusted to tell the truth. Credibility is the backbone of management success.
Learn to handle confrontation. Employees can sometimes get caught up in the heat of an issue about which they feel strongly--voices get raised, tempers flare, and resistance sets in. If you become embroiled in a confrontation with somebody at work and pull rank, or worse, choose to ignore a developing problem and slink away, employees will quickly learn that you can't be counted on to resolve important issues.
Listen to differing opinions with an open mind. Face facts: you're not always right. Chances are, part of what got you promoted in the first place was a willingness to hear or act on other people's ideas and suggestions. When you became a manager, you did not suddenly wake up knowing everything. Accept new input from your employees, and thank them for it. As much as possible, keep your door open. Better still, instead of waiting for an employee to come to you, take the initiative and seek him out--he'll appreciate being singled out for his opinions.
Be a linebacker, not a quarterback. Focusing on ways to remove obstacles and help your employee reach his goals should be paramount to you. Ask your employee what he thinks you can do to improve his productivity. Be prepared to listen, take notes, and then take action. Every time you remove an obstacle or a distraction, you are improving your own chances for a successful project outcome. You also greatly improve your chances of being the kind of boss for whom employees want to work.
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