Managing people can be a complex and intimidating task, especially for the inexperienced. Keeping a workforce motivated and engaged requires careful planning, and consideration.
Being an effective manager is about supporting, coaching, directing and engaging employees.
Effective management is the key to retaining good employees long-term, which not only make a business run more smoothly, but also cuts costs. This is because new employees often require extensive training before they become fully productive members of the company.
As a business grows and take on more employees, many business owners find that while they have a strong business knowledge, they might not be the most effective managers. Some have more of a natural gift for management than others, but even those who find they have a particular talent for social graces may find themselves struggling to motivate employees. So, how does one become a more effective manager?
Communication Skills And flexibility
Klaras(2013). Managers who are effective communicators are able to illuminate the organization’s vision and goals, and employee expectations clearly. Employees are more productive when they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, and are able to see where their work fits into the larger scheme of the business. (NP). Listening skills are a big part of being an effective communicator. Members of the management team should take the time to get to know their employees, their interests, and the key factors that motivate them. Those who do will have a far easier time driving workforce productivity.
Managers who take the time to hear employee concerns and address them are much more effective, as well. Employees like to know that their managers value their opinions, and are concerned with both their well-being, and overall job satisfaction. Flexibility is something all managers should strive to
References: Rick Suttle (2011) How to Be a Good Supervisor Manager http://smallbusiness.chron.com/good-supervisor-manager-32266.html John Rick Klaras (2013) How to Be an Effective Manager http://businesssearch.dnb.com/small-business-tips/how-to-be-an-effective-manager/ Right Management (2013) Do You Have what it takes to be an effective manager? http://www.right.com/blog/careerpluswork/2013/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-an-effective-manager/