MANAGING SUCCESSFULLY –

       Learn to ask simple questions and listen hard – especially to clients.

       You are only as good as the staff you recruit and train so give a high priority to these tasks – don’t delegate these roles.

       As a new manager, or section-leader, be prepared to ask for advice from front-line staff.

       Consult  your workers when planning changes and remember two brains are usually better than one.     

A handful of tips to help you become a successful group-leader and manager

*  Set high standards

        Make sure your people understand clearly what is expected from them.

        Explain your vision and the values you respect and want to see upheld.

        Change should be the norm for all dynamic organisations so be flexible and be prepare to listen and accept new ideas.

*  Recruit the best

        Recruit the best people you can find. You are only as good as the people who work for you. Don’t let others select your staff for you.

        Look for enthusiastic, energetic, ambitious people but make sure they will be compatible with your team.

* Review progress formally

Call regular meetings to review team progress and to share ideas. These meetings must be well planned, interesting and involve all people.

* Walk around and listen

        Good managers and section leaders should act more like ambassadors than accountants. Walk about asking questions and chatting to staff and especially to clients.

        Keep a track on all developments both in the industry and in the workplace.

        Routine and time-consuming parts of a job, such as budgeting and collecting data,  should be delegated to a reliable assistant.

        A good personal assistant can save you much time and money.  

        Review and assess developments regularly so changes can be made quickly.    

* Act like a leader

        Set a good example at work and socially away from work.  

        Be enthusiastic and talk about your vision for the future of the organisation. Become a mentor, a coach and a trainer.

        Be positive, diplomatic and sympathetic.

        Delegate work to future leaders as a part of a long term training plan.

        Make fast decisions.

        Respond to all messages rapidly and try to resolve all troubles quickly.

        Make sure there are good communication systems in place and keep your people informed of developing situations and changes in the workplace.

        Good leaders networking within, and outside organisations.

        A ship can have only one captain and a organisation only one manager. 

        Be prepared to make the hard decisions to guide the organisation before it gets into trouble and hits the rocks.

        Take care to never compromise deeply-held principles.  

        Enjoy the challenge of being a good leader and manager.  It can be stimulating and fun!

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociate.co.nz)

“Be honest, fair, consistent , insistent and persistent.”

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

For those in need see our FREE BOOK ” NO JOB! WHAT NOW?” from mossassociates.co.nz

•