Are You An Effective Manager?
CBSNews.com lists some attributes of effective managers. Good managers have open communication lines with their employees. They understand the needs of their employees. They create a working environment where the employees can develop their work skills. They encourage and guide their employees to do great work. They give credit to the accomplishments of their staff. Effective managers are proactive. They plan ahead so that there are fewer office emergencies. These qualities endear these managers to their employees. Go through the following list of negative attributes of a lousy manager. If you are guilty of one or more, re-invent yourself so your professional relationships with your co-workers and clients will improve.
Here are five signs that you’re failing in your job as a manager.
1. Your employees lie to you. Do you make unreasonable demands? Punish people excessively for mistakes? Interrogate them over why they need time off? These things all create a culture where your employees feel the only way they can get what they need is to lie. A culture of openness and understanding makes for employees who will speak honestly with you.
2. No other managers want to poach your employees. A good manager develops good employees. If you spend more time trying to get rid of bad employees than trying to keep your good ones, the problem may be with you.
3. You always have emergencies. And clients? They’re not always forthcoming with their true needs and desires. As a manager, it’s your job to assess the situation and plan in advance. Occasional emergencies are understandable, but constant ones mean that you’re not doing what you need to do.
4. You always ask yourself “what can I legally do?” rather than “what should I do?” Yes, you have to follow the law. Just because you can fire someone for no reason whatsoever doesn’t mean you should fire someone because you feel like it.
5. You steal credit. Some managers try to impress their bosses by taking credit for everyone’s work. This won’t only backfire on you when your star employee quits and suddenly your boss is asking for all that work that “you” used to do, but will cause your employees to resent you. Managers are supposed to manage people. Showing that you are capable of hiring, developing, training, and guiding people who are doing great work is what your superiors want to see.
Certainly this list is not exhaustive, but take a quick look at yourself and see if you fall into any of these categories. If so, stop it and change your behavior. You’ll be surprised at how your employees respond to your improved management skills …
Photo by rjlowell
