Any seasoned professional in a management role can likely attest to the importance of maintaining a positive work environment that fosters open dialogue, drives productivity and supports team involvement. These attributes encourage company allegiance which, in turn, motivates employees to consistently improve their overall performance and efficiency.
However, for novice supervisors, a general lack of experience can lead to feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, making questionable decisions, downplaying teamwork, rendering ineffectual leadership and provoking decreased employee initiative. As a result, new managers often overextend themselves without the benefit of a loyal workforce sustaining their efforts.
Rather than falling into this common trap, boost office morale and employee satisfaction by implementing these five behaviors which highly accomplished managers, not only master, but utilize on a daily basis as well.
1. Learn to effectively delegate projects
Successful supervisors understand they cannot tackle every assignment without assistance. Instead, they promote a “divide and conquer” mentality that capitalizes on each worker’s skill set, allowing everyone to contribute based on their individual strengths. This method saves time, streamlines productivity and diminishes the urge to micro-manage.
2. Keep the communication flow constant
Successful supervisors know that conflict, confusion and misinterpretation result from insufficient dialogue. Instead, they create an open-door policy between both employer and employees to ensure that information is transmitted directly, accurately and continuously. This method resolves tension, develops camaraderie and prompts shared objectives.
3. Practice active listening and engagement
Successful supervisors accept that, despite being in authority, they are not infallible decision makers. Instead, they value the professional input of every person they hire, open-mindedly receive employee feedback and pay attention for chances to proactively use the feedback. This method tells workers their voices are genuinely being heard.
4. Emphasize the need for collaborations
Successful supervisors have learned that common goals cannot be achieved without a joint effort. Instead, they foster unity and solidarity among the ranks through team building initiatives, group projects or task forces, and department-wide brainstorming. This method stimulates a creative exchange of ideas, abilities, viewpoints and experience levels.
5. Commend employees on their progress
Successful supervisors recognize how withholding verbal affirmation can cause disillusionment. Instead, they look for evidence of workforce improvement and validate each individual on a job well done, thereby assuring people their undertakings have not gone unnoticed. This method bolsters performance and positively reinforces company expectations.
Have these professional strategies empowered you to become a more competent leader in your own sphere of influence? Are there additional management tactics we didn’t mention that you have found beneficial? Share your opinions in the comment section below, and let’s keep this conversation going!
