Managing Your Employees More Effectively

While it might seem an easy task, a lot of managers find it daunting to manage their employees effectively.  Most managers have two major duties:  Managing their departments and managing their workforce.  A manager’s prior tenure and years of experience often make managing their own work initiatives relatively easy but some struggle with the responsibility of managing staff.  Effective managers build relationships with their employees, encourage them, give them advice on how to better succeed and point to their strengths instead of always harping on their weaknesses.  Creating a positive work environment where success is rewarded makes it easier for managers to creatively and successfully manage their employees.

One way mangers can be effective at their job is to develop an employee communication plan.  “Provide information about business development, organizational changes, personnel transfers, promotions and company performance.”

Get feedback from your employees.  Obtain input from them on a regular basis.  Set up monthly one-on-one meetings or weekly department meetings.  Listen to your employees.  Encourage them to suggest effective ways to avoid problems in the workplace.  A manger might even consider conducting annual employee opinion surveys.  “Employees who are encouraged to share their opinions and offer feedback often enjoy better working relationships with peers as well as the management team.”

Give employees opportunities to learn new skills and improve the ones they already have.  Run workshops or bring in professionals to run monthly continuing education classes.  In addition to performance appraisals, solicit feedback on the type of training and development that employees believe will make them more successful and productive.

Review your staffing model periodically.  When the company makes changes in hiring procedure or workforce planning, involve your current employees in the process.  Make sure that your employees are in the roles that fit them best.  Let them bring their most suitable skills to the table.  “Take seriously employees’ suggestions for modifications to their job duties if they are changes that will improve job satisfaction and the company’s productivity levels.”

Consider putting employees on the right path to success by implementing development programs, successions plans and career track programs.  Motivate your employees everyday so that your retention rate of successful talent will exceed expectations.

Reward your employees work ethic especially those who most significantly and effectively embody the organization’s philosophy and mission.  Give your staff opportunities for growth.  Don’t stifle their creative abilities and unique skills they bring to the table.  In essence, don’t micromanage.  Give your employees freedom to work at their own pace and ability level.  “Provide non-monetary recognition to motivate workers, such as plum assignments, leadership roles and the chance to demonstrate aptitude for higher-level positions.”

Update your performance standards regularly so that your employees know what is expected of them on a daily basis.  Clarify performance expectations for them on a regular basis.  Maintain up-to-date job descriptions.  “Provide refresher training for supervisors who conduct performance evaluations to ensure they understand the fundamentals of performance management and employee coaching.”

Keep open lines of communication with your employees.  Be vocal about what is expected of them.  They can’t do their jobs efficiently and effectively without good direction.  Be a leader and you will lead your team to success.  Speak up about performance problems when they arise and be honest with your employees about their job performance.  Feedback is key.  “Conduct performance appraisals regularly, but provide informal and continuous employee feedback throughout the evaluation period so employees aren't left to wonder if they are actually performing their jobs the right way.”

Make sure you keep your employees up-to-date about any changes to employee handbooks or new procedures or policies that are implemented.  Develop a strong orientation program or mentoring program for new employees.  Encourage your employees to work together which will help keep up team morale.  When employees feel they are working in conjunction with others for the greater good of the company and have the support of their co-workers and managers they are likely to be more productive and keep your company on a path to success.  Give new employees time to adjust as well.

Be fair.  Treat everyone equally – don’t play favorites.  That can quickly lead to tension in a workplace environment.  Make sure all your employees feel equally valued.  Make fair employment practices a priority.

Build a team not your ego.  Work in conjunction with employees.  Let them know that they are valued and that hierarchy does not rule the workplace.  Trust your employees to do their jobs and make them feel that they are needed, wanted and invaluable to the company’s success.  Set a good example and success will follow.

Make your employees versatile.  Give away tasks but not ultimate leadership.  Delegate and lead by example.

Communicate, communicate, communicate!  Give your employees your best advice.  Encourage them to take pride in their everyday roles and responsibilities in the company.  Encourage innovation.

Lastly, you might want to think about having a second in command who you can bounce ideas off of.  “Find someone you trust within your company who has the same goals, ideals and a similar business style.  Train him/her appropriately.  Let others know he/she has your confidence and authority when you are gone.

Again, it might seem daunting at times to be a successful manager but if you take what I’ve said here today to heart you just might find that you already have the keys to success and just need some direction in how to bring them out.

Here are some articles you might want to check out about managing your employees successfully:

“Ten Tips to Mange Your Employees More Effectively”: http://suite101.com/article/10-tips-to-manage-your-employees-effectively-a304884

“How to Manage Your Staff”: http://www.thewebbrains.com/hosting-guide/articles/15/1/How-to-Manage-Your-Staff

“How to Manage Your Employees’ Strengths”: http://www.executivetravelmagazine.com/articles/how-to-manage-your-employees-strengths

Until next time…