Become a Better Manager by Stephen H Smetham, MPhil, MBA, Dip FS, ACIB – February 2016

The digital revolution is changing our lives through the way we communicate with one another, how we entertain ourselves and also our working environment. These changes can be hard to understand, but if you try and superimpose them on the daily management of colleagues you’ll fail. Technology for technology sake could, and does, lead to some curious practices with, for example, managers messaging or e-mailing a colleague who sits a few feet from them. Certainly it’s communication which is good, but it’s certainly not good communication as it’s rather cold and distant. Is that a reflection of you as a manager?

Good colleague management is all about great values and behaviours, being visible, approachable, decent and honest. Nothing fancy, no new app, just treating others as you’d like to be treated.

The following lists a few tips to help you become a better manager:

Think about what your colleagues want: visibility - there is no such thing as a remote workforce simply remote management. Are

you visible to your colleagues? If you are invisible you must get out more so they will recognise you. There was a manager who had a diary note every Friday to ‘walk the office’. Yes it was a bit contrived, but at least everyone knew who he was

recognition - colleagues like to be recognised and by knowing their name and having short conversations will mean you are approachable. One day they will pass on a great idea that will make a significant difference to the business or operation, but until you’ve built that rapport they’ll remain silent

support - some may want time off to see their child / grandchild in a nativity play, etc. By being flexible they will put the extra effort in when you need it

honesty – wrapping bad messages up with fancy words fools no-one. If you need to reduce the workforce tell them and work with those who will be leaving to find something else to move on to

thank-you – colleagues like to hear the words ‘thank-you’ So, when someone has done some great work just say it. It costs nothing and those in Finance will love you to bits by not spending money on lavish recognition events.

Now think about yourself and how you can improve as a manager: have a sincere interest in colleagues and their well-being. Try and understand what

makes them tick – yes go and speak to them understand that hiring good people is critical to your success – so make good decisions do not micromanage and allow others to get credit for a positive outcome be willing to admit your own shortcomings and mistakes and do not feel a persistent

need to be right have a good sense of humour and laugh at yourself when a colleague mentions there is

a better way of doing something – but don’t forget to thank them for telling you have a sense of fairness in dealing with colleagues and issues exhibit consistency in behaviour so colleagues don’t have to gauge when best to talk to

you about a tricky subject control emotions and keep them out of decision making and interactions with others genuinely believe that colleagues are more important than you always seek input from colleagues when change is necessary and build a consensus

before implementing any changes be self-confident and secure and have the ability to be direct when needed without being

abusive or offensive.

Knowledge is a steep which few may climb (Sir Lewis Morris 1895)

Become a Better Manager by Stephen H Smetham, MPhil, MBA, Dip FS, ACIB – February 2016

Knowledge is a steep which few may climb (Sir Lewis Morris 1895)