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Whether you are managing a restaurant staff, an office staff, or something in between, managing a team is never an easy task. A lot of the time it requires navigating many different personalities, work habits, and motivations while also attempting to balance your own tasks and always keeping the goals of the company in mind. There is a lot of work that goes into getting this right, but there are some tricks of the trade out there that are aimed to help every manager no matter how seasoned or fresh they may be.
It is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
When you initially step into a new management position, it is really easy to become excited and full of ideas. It is obviously a really good thing to harness this kind of enthusiasm about your job, but it is also very important to pace yourself. Before beginning any major projects or ideas, give yourself some time to understand the role and inner workings of your team and team members to ensure complete efficiency and employee retention. As the team manager, you will not always have the luxury of time, and most of the time quick changes are essential. Taking the time to consult and understand your team will keep things running smoothly in the long run. If your big ideas are not able to be considered just yet, make a note of them and keep them in a place you will remember and come back to them once everything has settled.
Don’t be Unrealistic
In your position as manager, you will use your knowledge of the big picture to influence and direct your team toward each goal. Success is a good influencer with teams and tends to keep them engaged no matter how small the victory may seem. It can also be really discouraging for your team if you set goals that they are unlikely to meet easily. If there are policies or objectives that you wish to change, you need to understand whether you have set realistic expectations. This could mean taking a look at your budget or the workload of those who will be helping. It is important to remember, however, that even the biggest projects that can seem harder to achieve can be broken down into tasks that are easier to manage and distribute. This may take a little longer, but the little wins throughout the process will also be a great morale boost for the team.
Your Team is Your Biggest Asset
Understanding what your team members do is important if you are looking to make a change or find changes to be made. Sit down with your employees and ask them questions about their roles and suggestions they may have. After all, your employees are the ones who are at the frontline of most business operations, and they see and hear a lot. It would also be unfair to make changes to an employee’s role without understanding it fully. Keeping your employees motivated with recognition and incentive programs is a good way to ensure that they will stick with you and be reliable members of your team. It can be great to get your team out of a slump. Learning as much about your team as possible will propel you forward and allow them to feel heard and appreciated by you and the company.
Optimal Organization
Your team will only work as well as you are able to influence them. Staying organized and invested in them will keep retention rates high. In a lot of jobs, employees tend to get frustrated with a complicated scheduling system. Consider scheduling options like Sling schedule makers to keep things understandable and clear on all ends.
It’s not just about the right programs to keep everything organized; if you have a very small business and are running the team from a remote location, ensuring your life and the home office is filed under “OO” for “optimally organized” is paramount. Ensuring you have programs like CleanMyMac X to keep your hard drive fresh or a comprehensive anti-virus package means you can always start with a clear system. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than technical issues slowing your productivity, eating into your time and money.
Employees also appreciate a boss who acts as a role model. If you expect them to act with great enthusiasm, it is important that you portray those same qualities otherwise motivation can tend to be lost. Keeping an open door policy and showing real care for your position will motivate and influence those below you. Learn to listen before responding, this will show your staff that you respect and genuinely care about their issues and work experience.
