Becoming a Great Manager

You have just been promoted at work to a management position. You have people under you to look up to and respect you. That is part of the reason that you are in that new management position. How do you strive to keep that respect? This article will give you some great tips on how to become a great manager. As a manager you are now responsible for helping deliver a company's brand. As a manager, you need to motivate your employees to do their best. Becoming a great manager will help you drive sales and make the company outstanding.

The first thing to discuss is meetings. Meetings are often not very productive. As a manager, you should get your employees excited to go to meetings. Make them feel that their time and talent is treasured at the meeting. When they offer an opinion, make sure that you respond in a favorable manner. Make sure that you have an agenda for the meeting. When all the positions on one topic have been exhausted, move onto the next point. Make sure that everyone has a chance to express their opinions and viewpoints favorably. Sometimes, it is appropriate to point out to people as a group that they should not dominate the conversation.

Another important thing to do is make sure that you schedule yourself accordingly throughout the day. When you have an adequate schedule, make sure that you plan to do things throughout the day at the same time every day. One thing that you can do is to check your email in the morning. This is going to be the only time throughout the day that you should check your email. Also, make sure that you allocate time to spend on the phone. If you have a lot of responsibilities, you should have a "gatekeeper" at your place of work. This person is often a secretary, who can answer the phone and take important messages for you. You cannot be interrupted during a busy day sometimes.

Another important thing to do is to make sure that you delegate effectively. If tasks come through you, know what employee can get what done. This should be part of their feedback at the end of the year or quarter, depending upon what type of evaluation system that your company uses. Give your employees deadlines. The important thing about deadlines is that sometimes if an employee can't reach one, you may be able to give them an extension on a project that would be due later in the process. Delegating involves handing tasks off according to people's talents and gifts. You're not going to give your accountant the job of writing invitations to your open house. Make sure that you delegate effectively.

Make sure that your employees have your time when it is needed. There are going to be those times when there is something urgent that needs to be discussed immediately. If the time is right, make it so that your employees are able to speak with you on an as needed basis. This will allow you ample time to hear your employees concerns throughout the course of the calendar year. If you take time to do this when things are slow, you will be able to make sure that all of your team members' needs are being met.

Remember that becoming a great manager is a process. Your talent, people skills, and other criteria have earned you your position. Most importantly, you are in a position where you have to be flexible, patient, kind, and respectful. Management is fun, but it is not without its challenges. Make sure that you follow the tips above, and your management skills will shine through, driving your company's sales and service to its customers.