Great managers are critical to the success of large or small businesses. A manager is not only responsible for making sure each employee pulls his weight, but he's also in charge of making decisions that directly impact the company's bottom line. Successful managers generally share common characteristics that help them lead organizations to success. Here are five habits you should adopt if you want to become one of your company's top-level managers.
1. Exercise Great Communication Skills
Successful managers are generally excellent communicators. Whether they communicate in person, through email or by phone, they make sure their messages are clear and easy for all workers to understand. They also show respect for their employees by refraining from being loud, abrasive or threatening. Speak with an authoritative tone when serious situations arise, but use a professional, confident tone when conducting meetings, delegating tasks or training new staff members.
2. Be an Effective Problem Solver
Effective managers think on their feet, a skill that's especially important in busy, unpredictable environments. For example, if an employee gets hurt, a conflict erupts at the office or an unwanted guest refuses to leave the premises, an effective manager handles the situation in a calm and rational manner. This trait also allows managers to make immediate changes around the office whenever necessary. For instance, if there's a problem with a particular workflow, a successful manager changes it right away to ensure work resumes as quickly and efficiently as possible. If an important team member quits without prior notice, an effective manager pulls someone from another team or does the job herself until she can hire a replacement.
3. Trust Your Employees
A successful manager does not micromanage employees. He relinquishes control with confidence because he knows the strengths and weaknesses of everyone on his team, and he delegates tasks accordingly. A successful manager also knows that micromanaging workers can lead to performance anxiety and stress, which ultimately decreases worker morale and can impact the overall operation and output of the company.
4. Admit Your Mistakes
Great managers own up to their mistakes and fix them fast. For example, if an effective manager chooses the wrong team leader for a project, she quickly and tactfully reorganizes the team and appoints someone new. If she provides incorrect information to workers, she calls an impromptu meeting or sends out an email or text to inform workers of the error. After correcting a mistake, a successful manager comes up with a plan to avoid the error in the future.
5. Make Employees Feel Valued
Successful managers are easy to approach and always willing to listen to the concerns of their employees. A good manager also takes employee grievances into consideration when making work-related decisions. They display genuine empathy when dealing with employees. For example, if an employee is ill or has serious family problems, the manager might offer to give the employee time off to recuperate or sort out the situation. If an employee seems overworked, a good manager might give him a partner to lighten his load.
Successful managers typically have their own unique leadership styles, but they also share specific traits that make them successful. Adopting these five habits puts you on the path to becoming the kind of manager your employees respect and your superiors value.
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