Be a Happy Manager. Lead a Happy Team!
As managers we accept responsibility for both the business and its people. By following a few basic principles we are more likely to adopt and inspire a higher level of passion and energy in ourselves and those around us.
Tips to help you become a Happy Manager
Confidence
'Happiness is a journey, not a destination'. - Unkown
Life generally begins with two things; You & Confidence. Without both of these present, you may feel challenged. To build a happy business you need confidence along with a strong commitment to the task. It’s not the decision to become happy that we’re challenged with. I mean we all want to be happy don’t we? Each of us already has a built in ability to see something like this through but often we carry a lot of residue from the past which can hold us back. Or we are too caught up in the future to see what is happening in front of us. Whatever your challenge, it is going to take a pledge from you to see it through. With confidence you make happiness your number one priority. It is important that happiness stands above all else including things such as money and ambition. Happiness should always be your first choice.
Putting your people first
Staff are generally the biggest expense in a business and therefore our biggest asset. But businesses rarely treat them as such. By recognising and placing our team above all else we actually increase our chances of success. Our people are the forefront of our business. They are usually the first and last point of contact for our customers. By taking care of the needs of our people we are taking care of the needs of our customers and in turn, our business.
Provide clear objectives and goals
View your team as an entity and provide clear goals and guidelines. Also provide clarity for what each member of the team is to achieve. Failing to do so creates ambiguity within your business. Goals and objectives should be measurable and attainable.
Understand individual strengths and weaknesses
Everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses. And everyone contributes in their own unique way. Your job is to understand how each individual can contribute to the business most effectively and to get the best out of each person. Encourage individuals to learn from each other. Use individual strengths to iron out some of the weaknesses.
Involve your team
Let go of the ego. It is not our job as managers to have all the answers. It is our job as managers to find the answers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The solutions you seek may literally be staring you in the face. Your team carries a wealth of knowledge and it would be silly not to take advantage of the support they offer. After all you hired them for their expertise. You may just resolve your problem and boost their ego at the same time. Who better to understand and implement a process than those involved in its design. Your team is already familiar with current business processes and will usually have a good understanding of the outcomes required. It goes without saying that a team implementing their own ideas is going to do it with the most enthusiasm.
Be Innovative
Innovation is a key factor in the success of any business and is often what distinguishes one team from another. Innovation is not just about designing new products or services for your customers. It is also about making the most of what you have by developing current processes. Innovation helps to increase efficiencies, minimise waste and maintain the motivation of your team.
Eliminate internal competition
What really matters is the end result, therefore teams should be measured as a team. Measuring and rewarding individuals within a team creates a competitive environment which offers too few real long term benefits to the business. Your team should be working together rather than against one an other.
Build trust through honesty and integrity
It is important that your team trusts you and you trust them. Trust is something you earn not something you buy. Be open with information that affects your team. Treat your team with dignity and respect. While some control may be necessary, it is more important to provide individuals with some flexibility when completing tasks. By placing more trust in your team, you improve the morale and efficiency of your team.
Provide sufficient opportunities for growth
If we truly know our people, we already have a good idea on what they want. If not, we should be asking. People perform at their best when there is an opportunity to strive towards.
Tips to help you become a Happy Manager
Confidence
'Happiness is a journey, not a destination'. - Unkown
Life generally begins with two things; You & Confidence. Without both of these present, you may feel challenged. To build a happy business you need confidence along with a strong commitment to the task. It’s not the decision to become happy that we’re challenged with. I mean we all want to be happy don’t we? Each of us already has a built in ability to see something like this through but often we carry a lot of residue from the past which can hold us back. Or we are too caught up in the future to see what is happening in front of us. Whatever your challenge, it is going to take a pledge from you to see it through. With confidence you make happiness your number one priority. It is important that happiness stands above all else including things such as money and ambition. Happiness should always be your first choice.
Putting your people first
Staff are generally the biggest expense in a business and therefore our biggest asset. But businesses rarely treat them as such. By recognising and placing our team above all else we actually increase our chances of success. Our people are the forefront of our business. They are usually the first and last point of contact for our customers. By taking care of the needs of our people we are taking care of the needs of our customers and in turn, our business.
Provide clear objectives and goals
View your team as an entity and provide clear goals and guidelines. Also provide clarity for what each member of the team is to achieve. Failing to do so creates ambiguity within your business. Goals and objectives should be measurable and attainable.
Understand individual strengths and weaknesses
Everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses. And everyone contributes in their own unique way. Your job is to understand how each individual can contribute to the business most effectively and to get the best out of each person. Encourage individuals to learn from each other. Use individual strengths to iron out some of the weaknesses.
Involve your team
Let go of the ego. It is not our job as managers to have all the answers. It is our job as managers to find the answers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The solutions you seek may literally be staring you in the face. Your team carries a wealth of knowledge and it would be silly not to take advantage of the support they offer. After all you hired them for their expertise. You may just resolve your problem and boost their ego at the same time. Who better to understand and implement a process than those involved in its design. Your team is already familiar with current business processes and will usually have a good understanding of the outcomes required. It goes without saying that a team implementing their own ideas is going to do it with the most enthusiasm.
Be Innovative
Innovation is a key factor in the success of any business and is often what distinguishes one team from another. Innovation is not just about designing new products or services for your customers. It is also about making the most of what you have by developing current processes. Innovation helps to increase efficiencies, minimise waste and maintain the motivation of your team.
Eliminate internal competition
What really matters is the end result, therefore teams should be measured as a team. Measuring and rewarding individuals within a team creates a competitive environment which offers too few real long term benefits to the business. Your team should be working together rather than against one an other.
Build trust through honesty and integrity
It is important that your team trusts you and you trust them. Trust is something you earn not something you buy. Be open with information that affects your team. Treat your team with dignity and respect. While some control may be necessary, it is more important to provide individuals with some flexibility when completing tasks. By placing more trust in your team, you improve the morale and efficiency of your team.
Provide sufficient opportunities for growth
If we truly know our people, we already have a good idea on what they want. If not, we should be asking. People perform at their best when there is an opportunity to strive towards.
"No individual or business entity is exempt from their responsibility to contribute to the greater good of all."