People skills are essential for managers at any level. From difficult individuals to situations that require careful handling to resolve, there are many instances in which a skilled manager can make a difference. 70% of an employee’s motivation is influenced by a manager so businesses really value people who are able to handle a team successfully. If your goal is to progress in a management position then there are a number of key skills to learn.
1. Empathy
Empathy in a management context is demonstrating an understanding of an employee’s own individual circumstances when making decisions that affect them. So, that could be approving a holiday request that coincides with a child’s time off school or presenting concerns raised by the team to upper management to argue their case for change. Empathy is a very powerful force for connection and essential for managers keen to succeed.
2. Engage with your team
If you want to improve team management then your presence in the team needs to be felt. Engage with all team members on a regular basis don’t sit in your office behind a closed door. Attend team events and company parties, start random conversations, have an open door policy and ask questions so that you can begin to understand your team and build stronger connections as a result.
3. Avoid micromanagement
Micromanagement will suck the motivation from any team because it demonstrates a lack of trust in their abilities and doesn’t give them room to thrive. Provide the support and guidance that your team needs to move forward of their own accord and then take a step back. With the space to grow and develop your team will feel nurtured but not controlled and could go on to do great things.
4. Support ongoing professional development
The first step is always to provide regular opportunities to assess performance and progress, and identify ways in which these could be improved. Once you start to acquire more knowledge of where your team members succeed and fail you can design solutions that help them to do better. That may be finding training or courses to improve a skill set or giving them more opportunities to do a specific task every day.
5. Keep the lines of communication open
Successful managers know when to listen to their team. Even if it’s negative feedback or complaints, it’s important for everyone to feel like they have a voice within the business. Equally, when it comes to talking about progress or development within the business, make sure your team is kept well informed and isn’t the last to know.
6. Reward success
Reward and recognition is essential to good management and has a key role to play in how engaged employees are and whether motivation is maintained. Look for ways to recognise and reward everyone, not just those who regularly do best – that way the whole team will progress in the right direction and no one is left behind.
Our
People Management course is specifically designed for managers looking to progress, from those at the early stages to more experienced individuals. Book your place today.