How do I learn more about my job when I am the boss? And How do I get the employees to respond better to me?

Question

I am a Office Manager for a small company, recently we have grown from 8-10 employees to 26. How do I get more knowledge on what I have to do and things that will help me get through the day and actually finish a project? I love my job but I have only been doing it for 1 year and I know I have so much more to learn. Any sugguestions on how or where to go? I am really good at creating ideas but because I am so young its hard to impliment them because I am 1/3 the age the men are that I am trying to help "manage".

What can I do?

Answer 1

First of all, good for you, recognizing that in a changing climate you have to be pro-active about getting direction.

As a company grows it is important the the corporate vision and priorities be clear to all employees so that all efforts will be directed towards the same goal.

Request a meeting with the person to whom you directly report. Explain your concerns and ask for direction so that you may effectively integrate new employees and make change transitions easier for those who have been with the company for some time. Share the corporate vision and mission with your team.

It can be a challenge to supervise a generation of employees who have more experience in the workplace that you do but they are also a gold mine of experience and information. Responsibly requesting and incorporating their feedback and ideas will give them ownership in their positon and help you solidify a team approach. Team building will greatly enhance your credibility.

As your job grows and demands on your time increase your ogranizational skills will be your most valuable asset. There are a number of time management programs available and you will be surprised at how using them can streamline your efforts and help you accomplish the taks that result in timely completion of projects.

Delegation will also be a valuable skill to hone. Effective delegation makes projects manageable and develops personnel. Look for the strengths in the people you manage and use them to support your group. Be judicious in your use of delegation, set realistic time frames, do your follow up without hovering, be available and approachable for questions.

Finally, the best managers are those who understand that they look good when their team looks good. Praise employees who take the extra step and do it in front of their peers. Constructive critcism should always be conducted in private. Recognize that sometimes people do the wrong thing for the right reasons and that acknowledging that is a powerful tool.

Good luck!

Be friendly but professional. Remember, you are there to lead your team through successful completion of assigned tasks.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Talk to the owner and ask what you can do.

Ask the owner if they can pay for some additional education....management, motivational, financial, time-management and organization.

Answer 3

HELLO, WELL THIS ANSWER IS EASY, JUST BE YOURSELF, DONT BE FALSE, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT SOME OF THOSE FOLKES YOUR IN CHAREGE OF WERE THERE BEFOR YOU AND THEY SPENT SOME OF THERE LIVES THERE TO SERVIVE, THE KNOWLEDGE THEY POSSESS IS VERY VALUABLE FOR THEY HAVE SPENT YEARS TO LEARN WHAT WORKS, PERHAPS WHAT YOU WERE TAUGHT IN A SHORT TIME, BE RESPECTFULL, AND LISTEN TO THEM, THATS HOW YOU LEARN , YOULL BE OK, BEST WISHES.