Effective Management in the 21st Century is the function that coordinates the efforts of people to accomplish goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively.
Over the next 5 weeks we will explore in depth 5 contemporary management techniques to help coordinate the efforts of people more effectively. These are:
Creating a Motivational Environment
Delegating with Empathy
Developing your employees
Managing your boss
Painting you leadership canvas
CREATING A MOTIVATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
You can’t motivate people. They have to motivate themselves. As a Manager, however you can create an environment where it is easy for people to find their own natural motivation. This means building an atmosphere that addresses an employees’ basic needs and preferences so they can do their best work and you may naturally create a certain type of environment for those around you. It is important to understand the nature of this environment because it has a major impact on the people you manage.
DELEGATING WITH EMPATHY
As a Manager, you may find that effectively directing and delegating to your employees is more complex than simply handling off an assignment with a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you’. Perhaps you have noticed that individual employees respond differently to types of instructions and feedback.
Some will want specific directions with timelines and expected outcomes whiles others want just the complete opposite. To be an effective manager it is important to consider how effective your approach may be with different employees
DEVELOPING YOUR EMPLOYEES
One of the most important but often overlooked areas of management is employee development. Not in the sense of day to day direction on current job duties, but supporting an employee’s long term professional growth by providing resources, environments and opportunities to capitalize on their potential.
With any employee they will need to work through those limitation that are significant obstacles to their growth however research shows that you will be more effective as a manager I you can help your employees identify their own strengths and build on them rather than trying to fix all of their weaknesses.
MANAGING YOUR BOSS
“They are supposed to be managing me!” One of the most valuable skills you can have is being able to manage or support those you report to. Doing a good job at work means being able to first understand what’s expected of you, getting help in solving tough problems along the way, and letting your boss know what it is you’ve done. Be objective about your work and communicate what’s needed in a professional direct and friendly manner.
For simplicity and best results, determine the most valuable methods for making contact with your boss. Is e-mail best? Voice-Mail? Texting? A quick chat at the start of day? Or is your boss non-responsive before that first coffee? Optimize your own and your boss’ success by taking on the task of learning what works most effectively.
PAINTING YOUR LEADERSHIP CANVAS
In an environment of constant and fast paced change, leaders even if supremely talented, won’t have enough time or expertise to take in all the shifting environmental information and will rely more and more on managers who can create and communicate a vision just as much as executing one.
Without adequate leadership at the management level, the vision, alignment and empowerment that are at the heart of organisational transformation and success will simply not occur fast enough to keep up with competitors.
Remember Leadership is a practiced skill that requires trial and error, coaching and encouragement – start painting now.
See our Motivational Management program for more information on how you can improve your management behaviours