10 Ways to Be a Better Manager

Management and leadership are two functions central to the success of any for-profit or non- profit enterprise. But they are two vastly different modes of operation. A manager’s job is to direct people or resources according to an established set of principals; a leader is there to spearhead and direct (essentially, the leader of a group sets the principles).
Remember, not all leaders make good managers and not all managers can lead. This week we’re going to focus on managers. So let’s explore the 10 key principles that will help you become the kind of manager people will love working for.
  1. Know your business well. It ‘s key to be able to thoroughly understand everything about your organization from your product to your staff. You must also be able to talk intelligently about your financials and cash-flow.
  2. Clearly define your personal expectations and responsibilities and make sure your employees understand the rewards and consequences.
  3. Hire the best and fire the worst. Hire the best people possible and then reward them. If you have under-performing employees find a way to manage them out of the organization – this sounds harsh but negative employees will drag the whole organization down with them.
  4. Be visible, approachable and available to your employees. Staff must know they can approach you and that you will listen to their needs. Don’t surround yourself with “gatekeepers.”
  5. Be a teacher and a student until you die. Try to read the latest “best practices” in your field, attend workshops and conferences, and stay up to date on changes in your profession.
  6. Assume 100 percent responsibility for your actions and hold others accountable for their actions. This is central to developing an accountability system in your organization. Anytime something happens that doesn't work out well, always looks inside yourself first for the answers.
  7. Allow for mistakes, and even failure. It’s important to develop a climate where taking a risk is accepted. Sometimes this means failing, but failure is an excellent teacher.
  8. Work “smart” hours, not just long hours. It's not the number of hours that you put in but the way you work that will determine your productivity and success. Use all the tools at your disposal.
  9. Always be honest. This is critical to building credibility with your staff and board. Always tell the truth.
  10. Attitude is infectious. You are the role model and being positive and optimistic is critical to the success of the organization.