Great management skills are an important quality to have as a leader no matter how many people you manage. Research, as well as history proves that great leaders think and act boldly. At some point in our professional lives we’ve experienced a bad manager, an average manager and a great manager. We know how each management style affected the quality of our work and our general attitude towards the company. It is evident that in nearly all dimensions of a successful business, the manager makes a significant difference. In this article we’ll look at some of the things great managers do differently.
MAXIMISE ON EVERYONE’S TIME
One of the biggest responsibilities managers have is delegating tasks. This requires great skill and organisation to ensure one has the right people on the job. For the most part, a good portion of company executives in Kenya, have humble beginnings and did not start their careers at the top. Many of them have been on the receiving end of some of the roles that they now have the responsibility of delegating. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you make proper use of everyone’s time by assigning meaningful work and maximising on your employees’ skillsets. When assigning tasks ensure that they add value to your employees’ work experience and promotes their learning and career development in the long run.
SHOW APPRECIATION & RECOGNITION FOR WORK WELL DONE
As a manager, it is important to give credit where credit is due. Especially when your employees do exceedingly well at their jobs. Giving recognition for a job well done can be done by giving an award, a promotion, a bonus etc. Showing appreciation on the other hand is about acknowledging your employees’ inherent value and worth as a colleague. As a manager it is important to show your employees that you value them as well as their work. This in turn motivates them to work harder which ensures the success of your company.
OPEN COMMUNICATION &OPEN DOOR POLICY
Open communication is one of the most important aspects of running a successful company. Openly communicatng builds trust and confidence and lets your employees know that you are willing to listen to their ideas and offer constructive feedback. When employees feel like they can freely speak to their higher-ups and contribute in matters that directly affect them, they are more motivated to work towards the success of the company. The open door policy is popular among many workplaces because it bridges the gap between senior management and general employees; It creates a culture of regular communication and trust. Open communication also improves the company’s efficiency as employers and employees are able to freely discuss the status of the company and its future prospects.
BE TRANSPARENT
Being a transparent leader means keeping employees in the know and welcoming honest feedback from them. A transparent leader aims at practicing what they preach and openly and effectively communicates with their employees. Transparency ensures that both employer and employee expectations are clear and that there is no room for false assumptions or expectations. Transparency fosters more genuine connections in the workplace as everyone is clear on what they are supposed to do and work towards a common goal. A company that prioritises transparency are generally faster in responding to new developments.
PROVIDE GROWTH & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Employees work best when they know that their work is in one way or another contributing towards their career growth. A great manager is one who assigns tasks that enable employees to learn new skills and develop problem solving skills. This empowers employees and gives them incentive to work harder and produce quality results.
https://www.gnapartners.com/resources/articles/7-things-great-managers-do-differently
https://www.gnapartners.com/resources/articles/7-things-great-managers-do-differently
