Even if you feel confident and capable of handling your responsibilities, becoming a manager in the name is one thing and actually managing things is one feat. Taking on a leadership role might be intimidating in and of itself. It might be challenging, let alone stressful to shift your attention from concentrating exclusively on the quality of your own work to managing the production of a full staff.

However, once you get fruitful results, successful team leadership and achievement turn out to be incredibly satisfying and motivating. Effective managers should concentrate on fostering both individual and group growth among their staff. For that, the first thing you can start with getting to know your team and that exceeds beyond their names. Try to learn about them on a personal level so you can support them in utilizing their talents.

Determine what works and what doesn't, and prioritize removing barriers from the way of your employees' greatest performance, since when working in a group you need to know their talents and strengths and how you can use them to benefit the company. You also need to know their shortcomings so that you can devise a backup plan in case things fall short of what you expect. After all, we all are human, so give them the leverage to be one. Comparing their prior experience in the field and their current position will help you navigate their level of understanding.

And what better way to do that than working with the team closely, rather than just delegating orders? A manager must be able to clearly communicate with their staff because it is the driving factor behind almost everything individuals do. You should develop criteria for both giving and receiving feedback. Try to be open and honest about critical subjects, and set clear expectations for your staff. Critiquing a consignment doesn’t mean that you bombard them with negative criticism.

As their senior and a person in a managerial position, it is your responsibility that you take your team forward in a constructive fashion. Hence, it is encouraged to have a varied and inclusive workplace culture where everyone may express their worries, thoughts, and ideas in order to stimulate the originality of concepts. Lead by example, for instance, by admitting you don't understand something in front of your colleagues or by asking for help. This will help to foster authenticity and vulnerability. In addition to communicating how they are addressing issues, great leaders are aware of their strengths and flaws. According to Founding Partner of Source Capital Funding, inc. - Sacha Ferandi, “the work ethic of a boss is contagious”. When your staff observes your work ethic, it is more likely that they will assume a similar stance to yours. Furthermore, when you choose to lead your team with an example and show them your expertise, you not only help them learn through your experience and earn their respect. Rather, you tend to increase productivity by opening a window for new concepts and their thorough critique as well.

It is quite well known saying that a happy employee is an effective employee. The success of any company is significantly impacted by its working environment. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a healthy, enjoyable workplace where team members feel respected and valued. Such an environment not only increases the gross output but also invites you and your team to develop new skills and hone the already acquired ones. By setting an example of excellent conduct every day and adopting sporadic team-building exercises, you may foster a varied and inclusive work culture.

For instance, you can start with recognizing your team's accomplishments frequently. In this case, even the smallest effort counts, because, in the very end, it improves your own and the position of your team members. Show appreciation where due, as it is often expressed by great leaders who acknowledge their team members. Often words of praise may work wonders. They tend to increase team spirit and create a positive workplace environment. Incentives and recognition for their efforts are things that employees seek out. It inspires them to keep working hard when you give them their due credit for a job well done. Employees could start to care less about their work if you don't acknowledge and provide constructive criticism. Additionally, when you are working in a group, people have different personalities, and there are indeed new horizons to explore and great ideas to discuss. Yet, simultaneously this also leads to conflict.

It is crucial to comprehend how to arbitrate disputes and handle conflict in a way that makes everyone feel valued and as a manager, you need to be neutral when dealing with such matters. You need to expand your view when resolving conflicts and for that, it is best to calm things down and slowly yet effectively divert the attention towards the basic goals of the project. Let them know that you need to keep projects on schedule and morale at its highest through your understanding of the situation, such so that nobody feels left out. Lastly, proactive managers respect confidentiality and are reliable.

They must demonstrate to workers that they are thinking about their interests. A toxic workplace can result if your staff members believe you don't support them. The truthfulness of managers' statements to staff members must likewise be guaranteed. Respecting employees' privacy and providing open guidance based on what is most in line with your business objectives are the foundations of trustworthiness which will boost employee engagement and of course sales too.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 10 2022

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