Whether you are just promotion to management position or you’ve been a manager for a while, if you want the people you lead over and over to deliver great results for you, you’ll need to find ways to keep them happy, motivated and successful. Five business leaders give us their best-practice tips for being a better manager.
1. Show your vulnerability
Zarah Al-Kudcy, head of commercial partnerships at Formula 1, says good managers are honest people — and that’s very important in times of pandemic and beyond. play a pivotal role in the post-COVID era of remote work strategies.
“I think over the last few years, being able to be vulnerable and being able to say, ‘I didn’t get it right’ or ‘I might not have known it,’ has become key,” she said. “I think it’s more of a reflection of who we are as a society today and how we challenge each other.”
Also: AI Can Automate 25% Of All Jobs Here Are The Most (And Least) Risks
Al-Kudcy said people respond well to genuine managers and people who point out their weaknesses. She accepts when she makes mistakes, she is open to people in the organization, and she encourages others to think about lessons they too can learn.
“So it’s about proving that I can say, ‘I’m not perfect, I was wrong, I admit it.’ And that level of honesty just creates a better working environment for others.”
2. Realize that better is perfect
Jeff Singman, executive vice president of technology at Arkos Health, says effective leaders understand that everyone on their team has their own strengths and weaknesses. An effective management style comes from putting people in the right place, where they can work confidently and begin to excel.
“Nobody is perfect,” he said. “It’s important for people to learn that good is often good enough when it comes to the work they do. I’m a big proponent of the saying ‘good is better than perfect’, because perfection takes so long. time-consuming and unattainable. So, set goals that are achievable, goals that people can embrace — providing a sense of accomplishment is key.”
Also: 85% of business leaders will let robots make decisions
Singman also believes that leading people effectively is more than simply setting general goals. His experience shows that the management style can be slightly different depending on the personality and personality of the individual you are dealing with.
“You’ve just had to adjust to your environment,” he says. “You have to set boundaries, guidelines and rules. We’re agile, we’re innovative, we’re a unicorn healthcare business. And the way we achieve innovation is through flexibility and creativity, working together and showing mutual respect.”
3. Celebrate success
Prakash Rao, head of supply chain projects at hotel and retail giant Landmark Group, says good managers realize that their team is their strength.
“You have to start with building your team to get the right people on,” he said. “And when I say the right people, they have to be in sync with the company’s culture, its ethos, and its principles and values.”
Also:
Good managers ensure their employees continue to receive training and development, so they can learn new skills and deliver great results, says Rao. And when those employees achieve something, it’s important to build enthusiasm through rewards, recognition, and a fun, supportive culture.
“Every month, we celebrate success,” he said. “We name the people who do a good job to keep the team motivated. Finally, managers need to have a sense of humour. Your team should be happy to come to work every morning. A happy employee. means a satisfied customer.”
4. Constantly interacting with people
Cyril Pourrat, chief purchasing officer (CPO) of telecommunications giant BT, said the traditional top-down management style is unlikely to work in today’s modern business environment. The only way to guarantee success is to interact with your employees as much as possible.
Pourrat says some of his previous C-suite roles came with the pitfalls of a senior executive position — a big office, a car and a private driver. In his current role as CPO and chief executive officer of BT Sourced, an independent procurement company within the BT Group, he steers clear of those frills as his priority is to engage closely with the BT Group. group.
Also: Why the four-day week rocked the world of work
“I don’t have a car, I don’t have a driver, and I’m using public transport,” he said. “I’m wearing jeans and sneakers. And I’m sitting in the middle of the group — and anyone, at any point, knows that, if they have a question, they can drop by and chat. “
Pourrat says previous experiences have helped shape his cohesive approach. He has worked in the Middle East as a CPO for several years. When he visited his shopping team for the first time in a role, they were surprised to see him taking the time away from the C-suite and into their space.
“They said, ‘That’s not how it works in this business. Usually we go to the executive team and rarely the executive team comes down to see us.’ And I said, ‘Well, you’re going to have to deal with that, because that’s the way I’m working.’ And then when I left the role, some of them said to me, ‘The thing we’ll miss the most is you coming to see us.'”
5. Be clear about expectations
Mary O’Callaghan, the British Heart Foundation’s chief technology officer, is another senior executive who believes talking to people on their terms is crucial to success. labour. Her advice to other managers is simple: get involved, clear and concise.
Also: New job? Here are 5 ways to make a good impression
“I’ve always had empathy and concern for people. It’s very important that you be clear about what you expect and how you can help them. Then you have to create space for them to achieve great things. great,” she said.
“Good management isn’t micromanaging and saying, ‘you have to do this now.’ It’s about understanding what is expected, how you can help, and then letting them do their best. strength.”
