When you become a manager, you have your work cut out for you. You are tasked with aligning the resources and people to implement the company’s strategies. This calls for making complex decisions, giving and obtaining feedback, motivating people, and a host of other things.
But becoming a manager is not easy. Many times you will be expected to achieve certain goals in a limited time frame and with limited resources. No wonder more than half of all new managers fail within two years.
Do you want to become a better manager? Here are 5 things you must do to get there.
1. Work on Your Decision-Making Skills
Decision-making is one of the hardest duties that managers are tasked with. This is because the results of certain decisions can have a significant effect on the success or failure of the organization. For example, choosing to enter a new market could present new opportunities. However, it may not work out even after making huge investments.
Unfortunately, you cannot run away from decision-making because it comes with the job. The mistake that most managers make is thinking that they can make the right decisions all the time. Even the best managers make wrong decisions sometimes.
There really is no formula for making the right decisions. However, conducting proper research, using scientific evidence, and consulting others can help you make better decisions.
2. Learn To Delegate
The most basic definition of management is “the art of getting things done through other people. Of course, this is easier said than done. Some managers find it difficult to trust other people with sensitive projects to reduce the chances of failure. Others have to keep on checking every detail and will make it clear that they are in charge.
However, the truth is that you can only do so much by yourself. Also, lack of faith in your team sends a strong message that they are not good enough, which is enough to kill motivation and self-confidence. Instead, capitalize on your team member’s strengths and be available to attend to any concerns that may arise.
3. Keep Learning
Great managers are lifelong learners. The fact is that the business world is constantly changing. New products come into the market, customers preferences change, innovations disrupt how things are done, and so on.
To remain competitive, an organization must adapt to change. This spells the need for a strong learning culture. Without foresight and continuous development of skills, it will be hard to keep up with the demands of the market.
While attending industry events, workshops and taking short courses is important, getting an MBA is absolutely necessary. Not only will this help you gain vital leadership skills but also, it will help you connect with like-minded individuals.
4. Engage the employees
Long term profitability of a business cannot be guaranteed where employee engagement is lacking. Engaging and keeping employees keeps them satisfied, resulting in a positive impact on their productivity. According to a Gallup Survey, businesses realize a 21% increase in profitability with highly engaged employees.
One effective way of cultivating employee engagement is by incorporating the employees into the decision-making process. This not only empowers them but also invokes a sense of ownership in the organization.
5. Create time for reflection
You can leverage past actions to become a better manager.
For personal reflection, conduct a weekly evaluation of the goals you had planned to achieve the previous week. What mistakes did you make? What decisions led to huge business wins? A clear reflection on this will help you craft a blueprint for the future.
For team effort examination, create time for reflection immediately after completing a task. Identify techniques that you should uphold or adjust for use in future projects. Reflection is important at both the organizational and personal levels and offers opportunities for re-alignment, change, and growth.
Final Thoughts
Being a manager is like being a war general. You can’t win unless you have a formidable team. In other words, your success is pegged on the success of your team. The least you can do is to inspire and create an enabling environment where everyone can be the best they can be.
