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WorldExecutivesDigest | Why Improving Your Management Style Will Increase Productivity | Whether a company has one small team or many employees, reaching and maintaining maximum productivity is largely down to management. Have an ineffective manager in place; those working under them won’t get the tools to complete their jobs correctly. If you’re in a management position and feel that your team isn’t hitting its targets, it may be time to look at yourself. It can be hard to admit, but improving your management style will significantly benefit your standing and help those under you.
Leading By Example
One of the most important things a manager does is lead by example. If they’re a ground floor team leader or at a higher-up level, there are always people looking at them and gauging the company’s expectations. If you as a manager are perceived as not pulling your weight, taking long breaks, leaving work for others to cover, etc., others understand this is acceptable behavior. If you’re later trying to discipline others for these failings, they’ll have no respect for you either.
Set Expectations
If you set out fair expectations of your team from the beginning, they understand expectations for all staff. When you follow those expectations and guidelines yourself, you’ll gain the trust and respect of your staff. Asking an employment expert for advice ensures that there are no misguided rules that could land the business in legal trouble. After all, employees appreciate a workplace that is confident and fair in how it expects its staff to carry out their work.
Be Supportive
Some people can’t resist the temptation to micromanage too much, feeling that things will only get correctly done if they meddle in every little thing. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth, with such a management style ultimately alienating the workers and creating resentment toward management. Instead, it’s better to learn how to guide others so that they can perform their duties independently.
Understand People
Understanding how people tick helps to become a supportive manager. It’s helpful to recognize people have different working and learning styles and accommodate them accordingly. You may have one person who needs to ask many questions to appease their anxiety as they learn a new role. Someone else may require you to approach and check in with them regularly. Giving praise for good work is essential, but even that needs to be tailored to the individual for the best result.
Keep Learning
In the same way, it’s essential to ensure all staff receives the proper training for their needs; the same is true for managers. Keeping up with organizational changes and technological advances and taking management-specific training are all vital. Demonstrating you’re willing and eager to keep advancing your knowledge sets an excellent example for those above you and those below you.
Improving your management style makes you better at your job and improves those you manage. And when staff feel confident and supported in their work, productivity levels increase, turnover reduces, and the company thrives.
