Did you know that, on average, companies with engaged employees are 21% more productive than those without? This makes employee management an essential part of any business, regardless of size or industry.
However, effective employee management can be difficult — especially for new managers. From creating a positive work environment to ensuring productivity, there are many things to consider.
In this article, we’ll provide tips for new and experienced managers on how to effectively manage employees. We’ll start by discussing the basics of employee management, then move on to more specific tips.
So, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been managing employees for years, read on for helpful advice on how to improve your employee management skills!
Employee management: what does it involve?
When many employees are brought together under one roof, effective employee management becomes critical for maintaining a productive and positive workplace. In its most basic form, it involves creating and enforcing rules, providing necessary resources and training, and resolving any conflicts that may arise.
Managers undertake a variety of tasks in order to successfully manage their employees. For new managers, it’s important to learn the ropes and develop good practices. For experienced managers, it’s important to stay current on trends and best practices.
Regardless of experience level, all managers can benefit from brushing up on these key skills:
1. Creating and enforcing rules
One of the most important aspects of employee management is creating and enforcing rules. These rules should be clear, concise, and relevant to the workplace. They should also be enforced consistently in order to create a safe, productive work environment.
2. Providing resources and training
Employees need the proper resources and training in order to do their jobs effectively. Managers should ensure that employees have the tools they need to be successful, and that they are properly trained in how to use those tools.
3. Resolving conflicts
Conflicts can arise in any workplace, and it’s the manager’s responsibility to resolve them in a fair and timely manner. By resolving conflicts effectively, managers can help keep the peace and maintain a positive work environment.
Developing strong employee management skills is critical for any manager. These skills are essential for creating a productive, positive workplace.
Managing employees: is it the right role for you?
At times, the natural progression of your career will lead you to managing employees. This may be something you are seeking out, or it may be something that is thrust upon you. Managing employees can be a challenging and rewarding role, but it is not right for everyone.
Before taking on this new responsibility, ask yourself some key questions:
- Are you able to give clear instructions and then step back?
- Can you remain impartial, even when things get tough?
- Do you have the patience to deal with different personalities?
- Can you keep your cool under pressure?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot manage employees — but it’s worth taking the time to consider if this is the right role for you.
If you answered a confident “yes” to some or all of these, however, you may be onto a winning career path. Keep reading!
Top tips for new managers
As a new manager, it can be difficult — even daunting — to know where to start when it comes to managing your team of employees. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some specific tips to help you get started.
1. Establish rules and expectations early on
One of the most important things new managers can do is establish rules and expectations early on. This will help create a foundation of trust with your employees, and will also make it easier to enforce guidelines down the road. Be sure to make your expectations clear, and be consistent in how you enforce them.
2. Communicate effectively
Good communication is key to a successful manager-employee relationship. Make sure you are taking the time to communicate with your employees on a regular basis — both good news and bad. This will help keep them informed and help prevent any misunderstandings.
3. Be fair
One of the most important things you can do as a manager is be fair with your employees. This means treating them all equally, and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. It also means being honest with them, and admitting when you make a mistake.
4. Be positive
Encouragement goes a long way when it comes to managing employees. Be sure to display a positive attitude towards your team, and be supportive of their efforts. This will help motivate them to do their best work.
5. Delegate effectively
As a manager, it’s important to delegate tasks effectively. This means assigning tasks that match employees’ skills and abilities, and ensuring that everyone has a fair share of work. Delegating tasks also helps to spread the workload evenly, which can help keep your employees happy and productive.
With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to becoming an effective manager!
Top tips for established managers
Even the most experienced managers still have something to learn. If you’ve been managing employees for a while, here are some tips to help you stay effective:
1. Keep communication open
Make sure you communicate effectively with your employees. This includes sharing your vision and goals for the team, as well as keeping them in the loop on changes and developments. Employees need to feel like they’re in the loop in order to feel engaged and invested in their work.
2. Be a role model
Your employees will look to you for guidance, so it’s important to set a good example. Be respectful of your team, stay positive, and lead by example in terms of your work ethic and attitude.
3. Encourage feedback
There should never be a point in your career when you stop receiving feedback. As a manager, it’s important to encourage your employees to give you feedback — both positive and negative. This allows you to constantly improve and make sure that your team is happy and productive.
4. Continue developing your skills
Managing employees is a challenging and constantly evolving task. Make sure you continue to develop your skills by attending workshops, reading articles, and seeking out advice from other managers.
5. Act as mentor
As a manager, it is likely that you have been in the workforce for longer than many of your employees. Not only that, but you’ve probably been mentored by one or more people throughout your career. Use this experience to pay it forward and mentor your employees. This can help them develop their skills and grow their careers.
With these tips in mind, you can continue to be an effective manager and help your team reach their goals.
How to handle failure as a manager
This may be one of the most difficult things for a new manager to learn: how to handle failure. Even if you’ve been a manager for a while, no one truly expects to fail until it happens — so it’s important to have a plan in place for what you’ll do when it does.
The first step is to take responsibility for the failure. Owning up to your part in the debacle will make it easier for others to forgive you, and may even help them learn from the experience.
Next, try to identify the cause of the failure. This can be difficult, but it’s important to do so in order to avoid future failures. Once you know what went wrong, you can begin to put together a plan for how to fix it.
Finally, learn from the experience. What did you do wrong? What could you have done differently? What would you do differently next time? Failure is a learning experience, and it’s important to take what you learn from it and apply it to future situations.
Dealing with confrontation as a manager
Another situation that can arise during the course of managing employees is confrontation. It’s inevitable that at some point you will have to deal with an employee who is upset or angry about something. When this happens, it’s important to stay calm and avoid getting defensive. Here are a few tips for dealing with confrontation:
- Remain calm and avoid getting defensive
- Listen to what the employee has to say, and take their concerns seriously
- Try to find a resolution that is satisfactory for both parties
- If necessary, be prepared to take disciplinary action. However, try to avoid this if possible.
Managing employees can be difficult, but it is a necessary part of any business. By following the tips above, you can create a productive and positive work environment for your employees.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a new or experienced manager, employee management is a critical skill that you must master. It’s not simply a matter of managing employees, but also managing the relationship between employees and employers. By using the tips in this article, you can effectively manage your employees and create a productive and positive work environment.