Managing Employees Isn’t for Everyone
This is a contributed post and may contain affiliate links. The thoughts and ideas expressed may not be exactly what the ghostwriter Scott Sery believes. But he did read it, and signed off on it, so it’s at least pretty close.
When first starting out, you have to wear all the hats. One of those hats includes being the go-to manager for any employees you take on. Once your company has expanded and you have promoted someone into the role, you can step back and focus on leadership above everything else. In the meantime, however, you must be the best manager possible. As you seek to master that job, here are three things to remember about running your own team.
Acknowledge That You Can Also Make Mistakes
The best managers don’t pretend that they’re infallible. They know they can make mistakes and are willing to own up to them, especially if they come down hard on their team members for the same mistakes. It’s important not to be a hypocrite, and it’s essential to showcase to your team that you’re also governed by the workplace rules.
So, acknowledge that you can make mistakes and that you’re capable of being in the wrong. We’re all human, even in the working world, and it’s OK to have a bad day here and there. Let your team know you’re all on the same side.
Become Familiar with Employment Law
At the core of being a good manager is the employment law you swear to abide by when you bring employees into your business. Your employment contracts must clearly state issues like vacation time, compensation time versus overtime, and how long your employees can go without a break.
Without proper terms over elements like these, it may be hard for your employees to trust you as their manager or to feel like they can come to you with their problems. So, do your research. Employment law differs slightly from state to state regarding issues like minimum wage, so make sure you know the specific regulations of where your business is based.
Don’t Play Favorites
When managers play favorites, the fact that they seemingly like one employee over another goes around the working floor at double speed! It’s OK to prefer working with one colleague over another – we all have our own working styles and like to collaborate with those who match it – but try to keep preferential treatment to a minimum.
Playing favorites can demoralize the entire team, make it hard for you to be respected by those who aren’t that employee which you like the best, and can even cause arguments on the floor when you’re not there. Employees may struggle to work together or even take the attitude outside of the workplace, which can then cause disruption in their personal lives, too.
Being a good manager is an active choice. It takes a bit of practice, and you’re likely to make a few mistakes along the way, but the more you try to be firm and fair, the better your team will perform in their roles.