Follow the Leader

The art of good management is getting

people to work as a team.

When you are first put in charge of people, it can be difficult knowing what line to take. Should you be friendly and approachable, and risk being seen as a weak person with no authority? Or should you immediately distance yourself from your former peers, leaving people in no doubt as to who is in charge?

Being a boss isn’t just a matter of giving orders – certain essential skills are also involved. These include motivating your staff; knowing how to delegate tasks and make decisions; and projecting a confident, competent image to co-workers. The art of good management is getting people to work as a team and expressing your authority when necessary, without coming across as a modern-day Boadicea.

PUT YOUR POINT ACROSS

• Make sure that people know you’re the person in charge.

· Ensure colleagues are aware of your goals and those of your organisation.

· Be clear about each team member’s role and tell people what’s expected of them. Communication is the key to getting the results you want – never assume staff will automatically know what you mean.

· Being able to motivate your staff is a key skill: people who are happy with the way they are treated will give more to their job than those who feel that they are neglected or overlooked. Keep staff briefed on how you see their performance. Let them know if they get it wrong and recognise when they get it right. If you encourage feedback you will not only benefit from others’ ideas but be aware of your staff’s level of morale.

THE ART OF DELEGATION

• Many new bosses can find delegating difficult and hang on to too many tasks without calling on their team’s help. Give up the old parts of your job and try to focus instead on your new responsibilities.
• When you delegate, do it properly. Don’t keep looking over the other person’s shoulder and don’t expect things to be done exactly as you would do them. Accept that people have different ways of working and this is just an expression of their personality.
• Don’t delegate a job just because it’s something you dislike or find boring. A good manager delegates enjoyable tasks as well as the more routine ones.
• Don’t just delegate the task itself – delegate the authority to do it. If someone has to come back to you every time a decision needs to be made, then you haven’t really delegated at all.
• The buck still stops with you, so try to delegate well and to the right person. You must be certain that whoever you choose is both ready and willing to take on the job.