This week we continue the topic of managing employees. Last week’s blog discussed giving credit where credit is due, which is the first rule of good management in my mind.
I also wrote about breaking bad news to employees (do it early so they have time to accustom themselves to the changes) and being clear about expectations (employees are happier when they know what is expected of them).
Be a Part of The Team
As well as managing a team, you should want to have a good relationship with your team. Have the same standards for your work as you have for the work of your employees. Help your employees to increase their strengths and work on their weaknesses. It is easier for most of us to see weaknesses in others, so be sure to look inside (or ask your boss) for your weaknesses and how you can be stronger in those areas.
Help Your Team Excel
As a manager you are the leader and the cheerleader. Spend as much time telling your team what they are doing well as you spend telling them how they can improve. Start each staff meeting with a few minutes for everyone to talk about what they think the team is doing well and what they believe the team could improve upon. When the ideas for improvement come from them, they are more likely to follow through with change.
Also encourage them to improve their skills. Provide information or bring in speakers to help them improve. If they are given the opportunity to grow and learn in the job, they will be happier and more productive.
Workplaces Can Be Fraught with Conflict
It is common for managers to be more compatible with some employees than they are with others. However, try not to let your personal feelings get in the way and judge each employee on how well they do their job and their value to the company. Also help employees to resolve conflict with each other.
Life Is Not Always Perfect
You and your employees have personal lives and sometimes things go wrong. Be aware of what is going on in your employees’ personal lives. Cut them some slack when you know that the problems they are experiencing are temporary and may not be of their own making. Do the same for yourself, when you are going through a rough patch.
A tip of the glass from me to you.
E Column
by Elizabeth “E” Slater, In Short Direct Marketing
A recognized expert in the fields of direct marketing and sales in the wine marketplace. Slater has taught more wineries and winery associations how to create and improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing programs and to make the most of each customer’s potential than anyone in the wine industry today.
