how to become a good manager?

Answer 1

dont just tell people what to do, do it with them!

To manage or to lead-that is the question faced by many managers. But alas--want does it mean to be a leader? Is being a leader significantly different than being a manager, and is it possible to manage and to lead at the same time?

Definition of Manager and Leader:

A manager basically directs resources to complete predetermined goals or projects. For example, a manager may engage in hiring, training, and scheduling employees in order to accomplish work in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. A manager is considered a failure if he/she is not able to complete the project or goals with efficiency or when the cost becomes too high.

On the other hand, a leader within a company develops individuals in order to complete predetermined goals and projects. A leader develops relationships with his/her employees by building communication, evoking images of success, and by eliciting loyalty.

Comparison of Manager versus Leader:

Manager: A company CEO directs Sarah, one of the companies up and coming managers, to hire enough new employees to provide the company with a state-of-the-art customer service department. Sarah undertakes her project with enthusiasm. She hires only those employees who can work the assigned hours, will accept the modest pay, and have experience working in customer service. She trains her new employees to perform the job to her expectations and assigns the employees to their new positions. Sarah measures her success in terms of efficiency, calls handled per hour, and cost effectiveness, i.e., did she meet her budget. However, Sarah did not anticipate that of the employees she hired, only a handful would remain working six months later.

Leader: Rob obtains the same assignment as Sarah. Rob hires employees that he believes he can develop a working relationship with, versus just those employees who will worked the assigned hours and take the modest pay. Rob's goal is to hire a diverse group of employees, some of who do not have any customer service experience, who he feels he can develop a personal connection. A large part of Rob's training involves team building, telling successful stories, and listening to each employee's own desires for what constitutes a fulfilling job. Rob still assigns his employees their job duties and schedules at the end of training, and he also measures success in terms of efficient and cost effectiveness, but he also measures success in terms of low employee turnover, employee morale, and employee development. Rob feels proud when one of his employees obtains an advance level position a year or two after being hired.

Can a Manager be a Leader and a Leader be a Manager?

The answer to the question is "yes." The skills to be a leader or a manager are not exclusive in nature. A leader who only displays leadership skills will be ineffective when it comes to checking time cards, completing employee reviews, and scheduling employee vacation time; things that employers require their managers to do on timely bases. Similarly, a manager who spends all his/her time completing paperwork and reading reports; only creates more problems for him or her because they lack a developing relationship with their employees.

If you are a manager who has spent too much time managing and not leading his/her employees, start spending 10% of your time each week leading until you can establish 25% of your time in leadership practices. If you are a leader who only likes to lead, either become a politician, hire an assistant to be the manager, or start spending 50% of your time getting the paperwork done.

Answer 2

Great question!!

To answer your question, there might be a better way visualize the situation - by means of differentiating different levels of motivating people to accomplish difficult objectives:

Level 1: Administrator (Does day-to-day tasks [better than most])
Level 2: Supervisor (Tells a few subordinates what to do)
Level 3: Manager (plans, directs, controls & measures performance)
Level 4: Leader: (Coaches, mentors, develops people to accomplish greatness - in line with the organizational vision, mission & objectives!)

To work your way up the organization, think in terms of Level 4... and work on becoming the leader of your group / team / etc! What you learn through this process (of answering a slightly different question) will enable you to become a great manager, too!

Answer 3

A good manager in my opinion always cares about his people! The suboardinates aroundhim who make him look good or bad depending on his leadership skills. A good manger sets the pace, provides the atmosphere and vision to what the department or orginazation is trying to accomplish. He or she is detached slightly from his junior workers, but only enough to keep that buffer "zone". A good manager realizes that happy workers are good workers though only for a short time..He or she keeps their ear on the pulse of the workplace.. Settles problems as they develop and never loses his professional "cool" . Always stand by your fellow workers but provide an unbiased opinion when needed. Always have or look for the solution to a problem never be part of it.. Good luck..

Answer 4

Form a team, the team will manage the business by itself. Become a team leader instead !

Answer 5

Consider getting a MBA degree. Always treat your employees with respect. Always make certain that your decisions are driven by the idea of making the company more successful instead of protecting your position. Don't be afraid of employees who are smarter than you. Don't be afraid to make real decisions and to be responsible for them. Read magazines like FastCompany, Business 2.0 and the Harvard Business Review. Be able to delegate. Don't micromanage. Help your employees to advance in their careers while making sure the company is served. Never lie to save your butt. Learn how to brainstorm. Learn how to encourage the creativity of your employees.

Answer 6

Read "The One Minute Manager" This book really helped me a lot.

Answer 7

You have to be able to understand where each employee is 'coming from' and to be able to direct attention where necessary to get the job done, without being emotionally involved with the consequences. Plus you have to be pleasant to the clientele, and very open minded to ideas for improvement for the business, not only from customers, but from the employees that are doing the work. It's not an easy job, but if you love it you can do it.

Answer 8

Manager of what?

Answer 9

Read "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie 20 times.

Answer 10

Invest in your people, make them feel a sense of ownership in whatever it is you are doing.