When we first start working it’s our technical skills and own work ethic that determines our success. But as you get older and progress in your career your effectiveness is less about your own skills and more about how you manage your employees.
But people are complex and difficult to manage. And Manager Skills are one of the most neglected by our education system. I studied a business degree but no one ever taught me how to manage employees. And it was only late in my career that I realized how deficient my Manager Skills were.
So this is a personal appeal to you to not make the same mistakes that I did. If you have not spent time developing your manager skills through formal tuition and practice then don’t take it for granted that you know what you’re doing as a boss.
Being a good manager is just like any other competence, there are skills you need to master to be an effective boss. How are some of the Essential Manager Skills that will help you be a better boss:
Hiring: How to know what skills you need and how to test these skills and compare candidates. How to avoid bad hires. How to hire for culture fit
One on One Meetings: Running a good One on One meeting is one of the greatest unsung manager skills because this is where you take care of most of your manager responsibilities
How to Give Inspiring Performance Communication: Speaking to your employees so they feel acknowledged, appreciated and motivated? How do you effectively solve performance problems quickly, without awkward conversations
How to Develop Your Employees: So they get better at their jobs and want to stay because they are learning and growing
How to Delegate Effectively: How to manage your workload and grow your employees at the same time
Active Listening: How to use active listening to coach your employees to solve their own problems.
Now that looks like a lot to start off with. And it is - don’t try to change everything at once. Your journey to becoming a better boss starts off one step at a time. The best place to start is finding out how to run kick-butt One-on-One Meetings with Employees.
Here are a few tips for Effective One-on-One Meetings:
Give your employee time to speak and listen to what they say because this meeting is their time with you. As a boss, you can always call them to your desk when you need them. But your employees will feel valued when you give them your time and attention - plus you’ll learn important things about your employee and their work
Find out what they have accomplished: Tip: Tell them to report this to you every time
Ask them what problems they are facing and how they intend to solve them
Every meeting give them direction. Also known as performance communication. If they’re on track, let them know and keep them heading in the right direction. If they are of course, let them know before it’s a problem.
Find out what they are going to be working on in the future and align their priorities with what you want. (This is how you get what you want!!)
These are all part of running effective One on One meetings. Find out more and become a better boss with this free, online training: 3 Steps 2 Easy 1 on 1s
Comments:
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