Understanding your team and encouraging them to work well together is vital as a manager.  In addition to performing their daily responsibilities, they also need to work well together.  Strong communication skills, both inside and outside of the team, are essential.  They need to have strong communication skills inside, as well as outside, the team.  You may be lucky enough to get this upon hiring; if not, grab your whistle and get ready to coach.

Use Specifics When Making Corrections

When explaining concerns or making suggestions, be clear about what you expect.  When a team member does something wrong, it will get you (or them) nowhere if you only tell them they make a mistake.  Show them where the error was and how it affects the end result.  Guide them in working to a solution and encourage them along the way. This will show them you are truly interested in their growth.

Continue to Check Progress

Following up with your team to check their progress ensures they remain on track. When changes occur, be sure they are adapting.  As you see they are moving forward, express appreciation and gratitude.  Managers who offer kinds words to their team often have one that increases in productivity.

In closing…

Realize that being a manager comes with much responsibility, and how effectively you communicate with your team will determine the type of relationship that you will have with them.  Take the time to coach your team through the tougher times, develop the relationship, and your team will develop right along with it.

There are two types of managers: leaders and directors.  One guides their team the other bosses them. Strive to be a leader and commit to supporting your team every step of the way.  By doing this, you will earn their respect, and your team will be more productive over time.

Leaders Earn Respect

A manager who chooses to direct needs to be more selective in choosing team members.  This group are usually self-motivators and tend to complete things their way. This is fine if you are looking for team members with “I” mentalities.  This seems to negate the word “team”, does it not?  By leading a team by example, and creating a sense of unity, you earn the respect of your employees.

A Routine Will Keep You on Track

Whether you choose the path of a leader or a director, developing a routine that works is vital.  You will need one for yourself, and another for your team.  Perhaps you will opt to start your week off with a Monday morning motivational meeting and end your week with a recap.  Begin each day clearing your inbox and end it in the field.  Development is key, and you need to keep your team in mind.

Demonstrate Accountability

As a manager, you expect your team to be accountable for their actions, but are you willing to be accountable for yours?  Again, lead by example.  Own up to your errors and take responsibility for your mistakes. You have no need to apologize for being human, but as a great leader you must demonstrate accountability.  Then fix the mistake and move on.  Also, when a team member makes a mistake, be willing to let them move on after they correct it.  Chances are they will feel bad enough; there is no need to hold it over their head.

Never Be Too Busy to Listen

Always take the time to listen to your team.  This will earn their respect and give you insight to what they are thinking.  It also gives you a chance to address their concerns before they become too much for them to handle. When your team knows they can come to you with any issue, they will be more likely to do so before it gets out of hand. Remember, you were given two ears and one mouth for a reason: to listen more and talk less.  When it is time to give feedback, a great manager makes it positive and constructive.

Demonstrate a Work Ethic, Don’t Push One

As a manager, you need to have a strong work ethic, but also have to accept that not all team member will possess the same.  Your team will consist of campers and climbers, and you need them both.  You need the campers to fill your standard positions (cashiers, clerks, warehouse, etc.), and you need your climbers to become future leaders (supervisors, project managers, account managers, etc.).  Both are essential and should be treated as such.

Remember, you spend a lot of time with your team, so choose wisely.  They will become your work family, and this is invaluable.  You also need to realize that your team members have lives outside of work, and as a manager you should respect that.  As you give them room to grow in their position, they will begin to develop a work ethic which includes the loyalty and respect you have earned.

Wrong!  We all have financial obligations, and we all must find a way to manage them.  It is no different managing a company.  You will be responsible for managing the company’s obligations, including the financial ones.  How you perform here will no doubt be vital to your success.

Bills, Bills, Bills

Mortgage, car payments, insurance, college tuition… and the list of your personal expenses goes on. Your business also has expenses to pay, invoices to be sent, income to be tracked, and so on and so on.  Simply put, accounts payable is what your company owes, and accounts receivable is what is owed to your company.  You also have payroll and miscellaneous expenses.  Before you can tackle any of this responsibility you need to get organized and set a budget.  Watch for ways to save money but be cautious that saving a buck does not mean cutting corners. Quality should always be job one.

Neither a Borrower nor a Lender Be

Shakespeare had it right when he wrote that. Loans, investors, or advances may get you through tough times, but should only be taken as a last resort.  If you can wait on a purchase to get a better rate, consider doing that. Sometimes unexpected expenses come in and adjustments need to be made.  When circumstances arise that leave you no choice but to take money from outside sources, be sure you re-do your budget for paying it back, keeping in mind fees and interest which will most likely accrue.

Take Your Obligations Seriously

Follow the outlines in your contracts and keep your clients happy.  Going outside of the parameters of your contract puts you at risk for a day in court, which means more time and money.  Your staff works hard and deserves to be paid on time.  Making excuses for delayed payroll is the quickest way to give them the green light to look elsewhere.  Show them you value their efforts and they will remain satisfied and productive.

Stick to the Schedule

Do not discount the importance of a schedule.  When you have a project, figure out how many hours you need to complete it and assign accordingly.  This is a great opportunity to give part-time workers some hours and save unnecessary overtime.  By using your schedule creatively, you can find ways to stay within budget.

Came in Under Budget?

Consider some form of employee appreciation such as bonuses or a party.  Employees will appreciate being shown you value what they have contributed all year.

No Need to Keep Up with the Jones’

Keeping up with the latest and greatest may be impressive to those looking on, but really evaluate the necessity of such spending.  Can you make do with what you have for another year or two?  It is one thing if your product will suffer without some form of production update, it is another if you just want your team to have the latest gadget.  When it does come time to upgrade, evaluate whether a larger up-front investment would be smarter or if an extended purchase would be.  If it means increase in productivity or will enable your team to complete their tasks more efficiently, then by all means, consider the purchase.

Trash or Treasure?

Lastly, do not rush to discard waste.  Not only is this costly, but you may find a future use for that waste that could make you money, or perhaps save you money in the long run.