Are you looking for ways to become a better manager? If so your first step should be to eliminate the word “manager” from your dictionary and insert the word “leader” in its place. One of the key differences between and manager and a leader is the ability to create “followership.” Team members will follow you if they believe that you have a clear vision of where you’re going, that you have their best interests in mind and if they believe that you’ve “got their back!”
Next, start “connecting” with your people versus managing them. Learn what they’re good at and what they like doing. Gain an understanding about what they’d like to do better and how you can help them get there. Figure out what they want to learn and what’s the best way for them to learn.
Lastly, memorize and implement the following fifteen secrets of the most effective leaders…and modify your behavior accordingly!
- Communicate early/often (Our research shows that 90% of people problems are communication problems)
- Establish a clear vision/direction (Let team members know how they “fit” into the bigger picture)
- Proactively manage change (As Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez said, “Burn the ships!”)
- Set clear goals/expectations (Make sure you set meets minimum/target/overachievement goals)
- Manage your team’s energy (Negative energy will always affect a team’s productivity)
- Celebrate “unsung heroes” (Walk the halls to find people doing things right)
- Manage the present…plan for the future (Don’t focus so much on who you are or where you’ve been but rather on where you’re going)
- Coach people through their fears (Instill confidence in team members)
- Assess the “readiness levels” or team members (Have the managerial courage to make changes)
- Learn your lessons…then move on (Don’t dwell on past failures)
- Visualize success (Success is a choice)
- Hold team members accountable (What gets measured gets done)
- Hire based upon potential (The “want to” is more powerful than the “know how”)
- Create a motivating work environment (Employee satisfaction drives customer satisfaction and customer satisfaction drives customer retention)
- Search for “teachable moments” (Look for ways to help your individual team members reach their full potential)
