BE A GOOD MANAGER   

Good managers can be recognised  because their people give superior performances.

         A good manager knows how to involve people in team efforts. They pays attention to details and standards  and are able to delegate responsibility to others. They encourage and make others feel good about work tasks.

Five of the best tips to be a good manager  

* Make sure people always understand clearly what is expected of them

         Instructions are best given verbally and in writing so they can be referred to from time to time.         

* Listen with care

        Make a special effort to listen to concerns and complaints.

        People must have guidance in their work and know who to go to for advice and support. They should have only one boss otherwise confusion  occurs.

* Good work should be praised or rewarded

         If appropriate, these motivating terms should be used often. “Thank you.” “You did a good job.”

         Praise publicly and criticise privately. Poor work should be constructively criticised in a helpful manner.  

* Encourage people to improve themselves

          Give people the  opportunities to show they can accept greater responsibilities.

         Challenge them with worthwhile tasks.

         Encourage study and improvement strategies.

         Let people learn by making a few mistakes.

         When possible, delegate decision making, down to front -line workers. 

*  Look after the welfare of staff

         Make sure people work in a safe and healthy environment.

         Pleasant working conditions and a relaxed working environments get the best out of people.

         The art of being a good manager is to get people to do what you want done, because they want to do it. 

–Geoffrey Moss 

“Good managers must face up to the music – even when they dislike the tune.” 

Source: “Secrets for New Managers” published by  Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and by Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as an e-book from Cengage Learning Asia, Amazon.com. and the VitalSource Bookshelf.

Many of the articles in this book were first published by the Singapore Institute of Management in their bi-monthly magazine “Today’s Manager”.