Top 5 At 7:45 – Advice For Managers

Management. Seems to be a dirty word among employees who must subjugate their self under them. But it doesn't have to be. If many in management would come down off of their high horses and treat those they are managing like the productive people they are, there would be a lot more harmony and productivity in the work place.

As a former "manager" and as a current manager I can tell you that there are clear cut ways to bring about the results you are looking for in your work place. Instead of copying what another manager is doing, challenge yourself to think and have an independent view on how to manage those that work for you and I know you will find a much better, stronger and productive work place.

Today, on the Top 5 at 7:45, I highlight the top 5 ideas that will help you to be a successful manager. The Top 5 at 7:45 airs weekdays on KGAB Mornings with me, Gary Freeman.

1. Value People: Don't throw your people under the bus to Executive Management. If they have failed, then you should take the blame as their boss as you are the one responsible for the department. Learn to trust your people and build in them a trust toward you. If they know that you're always dogging them out to superiors, they will tend to "lay down" on you and your department will result in failure.
2. Create an environment where employees can take control of their job: You ultimately must oversee the process and meet with them, but don't belittle them by constantly micro-managing them and talking down to them. Give them positive attention as well as constructive attention. Stay away from negativity.
3. Listen and Communicate: How we communicate with our employees is very important. Too many "managers" hope that problems will go away or they hide behind emails and hardly ever, if ever, have a face to face conversation with their employees. This will result in low morale and shows how weak you really are as a manager.
4. Treat your employees as customers: Find out what they need to do their job effectively. Are there problems that you can help or advise them on? Be nice and not condescending. Just because you're the manager, doesn't make you the smartest guy or gal in the room. Remember Henry Ford.
5. You're their boss, not their buddy: One of the quickest ways to stall your effectiveness as a leader and manager, is to let your hair down and be one of the boys, or girls. The reason is this. There are going to be times when you have to make decisions that may not be popular with them. You want to have their respect and confidence and them knowing that you have thought it through and made what you thought was the right decision.