Managers may be much maligned in a lot of TV shows and movies, but in real life, they are really quite important to the proper functioning of a group, and are responsible for the tasks and the success of a group. Through the manager, people know what they’re supposed to be doing and what the goals for the group are. The manager’s methods and attitude also set the tone for the entire department, determining how they go about tackling their duties and what kind of work environment is in place.
If you are a manager or are aspiring to be one, you need to remember that so much depends on you. Learning how to become a better manager should be at the top of your list of priorities, and you can be sure that being a good manager doesn’t mean ruling people with an iron fist. It entails toeing the line between being a figure of authority (a concept which often sounds forbidding) and being someone to who your employees will turn to for guidance, advice, and direction.
To start with, you can meet with your group and find out what they expect from you and the rest of the group. People normally don’t often answer this readily and honestly, so ask them questions like, “How much guidance and supervision do you need from me?” “Where do you see this group going, and how do you suggest we can all work better together?” “What do you expect a manager of this group to do?” “What are issues that this group has been facing?”
In the same way, you should also express your expectations from everyone else. For example, say that you don’t expect everyone to check in all the time regarding projects, but keeping you updated in case of delays is a must. It’s a good idea to hash out issues and solutions before moving forward so that when you do move forward, you all have a clear understanding of one another.
Remember that you also have basic tasks you should be attending to as a manager. You are expected to define the goals, map out a strategy, monitor people’s progress, and be ready to provide feedback and provide assistance when needed. To become a better manager, you need to be organized. As every project comes in, determine the goals, the tasks needed to be done to achieve these goals, and identify the skills and knowledge that must be utilized. You are expected to do more than just toss out assignments to people; you are the one who should let them know what that project is for and what it should achieve, and then really pull the group together to work on it.
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