Do you know how to manage people? Many managers think that they do when really they don’t. They’re afraid that being a more positive, hands-on manager means getting too involved in things and will take too much time. Nothing could be further from the truth.
How To Manage People Well In Very Little Time
You can learn how to manage people well without doubling the length of your work day to do it. It’s not really so much how much time you spend managing people but what you do and how you do it. Knowing how to manage people pays off and it would be worth it to spend lots of extra time doing it but you don’t even have to do that..
Check In With One Employee A Day
You can start learning how to manage people by checking in with one employee a day. All you have to do is talk to an employee for a few minutes about what they are working on and anything else that they may have on their mind. This is not the time to relay information but to receive it.
This will help you keep tabs on their work and concerns while making them feel like they are important even when you don’t need something from them. Just make sure that you do this for all employees equally so that everyone feels important.
Ask Employees What They Need To Succeed
As long as you are checking in with your employees you want to ask them what it is that they need to succeed in their current projects and in their positions in general. Your employees are on the front lines so they will often have insight that you do not. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference but you will never know if you don’t take the time to ask. This is an important part of quality people management skills.
When Someone Does Something Well Tell Them And Say Thank You
You wouldn’t believe how many managers skip over this one. If one of your employees does something well then tell that employee that they did well and genuinely thank them for their efforts.
Making this a consistent practice is an easy way to avoid the trap of only talking to your employees when you need something or when something is wrong.
Use Your Down Time To Manage
You have short periods of down time during the day so start using them to manage. Have discussions with your employees when you are walking back to your office from meetings or give them a call whenever you are away from the office and have a few minutes free. This is an easy way to fit managing people into your schedule.
Knowing how to manage people is a big part of knowing how to succeed in business. Your employees are a resource and can give you a lot more than just a decent day’s work. You just need to take the time to help them give more by practicing good people management.