Being a manager in any business environment is extremely challenging and requires a multitude of skills sets including, but not limited to, leadership, organization, business acumen and relationship skills.
Here a four tips to help you navigate complicated waters and succeed where others fail:
- Be the manager for whom you would like to work. After 40 years in retail management, I have worked for some “doosies”. They all shared a common shortcoming: lack of empathy. Not seeing things from their employee’s perspective, not walking a mile in their shoes. If you want to be a better manager, take some time to actually get to know the people who work for you. If you wouldn’t like it, probably neither would they. Understand that managing is a reflection of you, and only you can change that reflection.
- Understand your business. Seems obvious right? But you’d be shocked at how managers don’t really understand their own business. How are you supposed to chart a course, plan, and lead, when you don’t really understand how your business works? You are the boss and the boss is supposed to be the expert, so BE THE EXPERT! Success will follow.
- Mistakes happen; own them. Get over yourself already! You’re not perfect and you never will be, so don’t gloss over your mistakes. Own them, learn from them, and move on! Too many times, managers lose credibility because they cannot admit or accept their own mistakes. True leaders understand that they are human, and that people will support them, so own your mistakes!
- Focus on things that make a difference; lose the things that don’t. Oftentimes, we have too many goals and too many expectations, which can lead to catastrophic failure for a manager. Be specific. Be intentional. Not everything is important. Be discerning. Success often looks different when viewed with perspective. More focus, more laser focus, is the key to becoming a better manager.
Be engaging and employ these 4 tips, and you’re sure to succeed!
