Managing People - article
article Managing People © 2009.
Performance Development Pty. Ltd.
If you are in any type of leadership or management role, then
not only must you get the job done, but you must balance this with equal care for the relationships that
you have with your staff.
The following article is adapted from an excellent essay
by highly respected U.K management consultant, Gerald Blair
Build relationships with staff, the way you do with customers
Some of the most important qualities you can develop within yourself when you are managing people,
are patience, tolerance and empathy for others.
Although equipment and machines don’t
care whether you scream, dictate, demean or ignore them - most people at work certainly do. Employees may perhaps
forgive a colleague or peer for an occasional thoughtless or abrupt remark, but they are much less likely to give their leaders
that same latitude. Part of the price you pay for accepting the leadership role is that your staff expect higher standards
of behaviour from you, than they do their work-mates.
Your staff and colleagues are not just analysts, operators, engineers or drivers
—they’re people, first and foremost—with families and friends, likes and dislikes, fears, hopes and dreams.
Respect them as people and you’ll win their loyalty in return.
But treat them rudely, aggressively, condescendingly
or impersonally and they will eventually lose the desire to perform for you - you will get very little from them beyond a
basic level of compliance. You will certainly gain neither initiative nor loyalty.
If you’ve
been ignoring your staff – or perhaps taking them for granted, get into the habit of taking a few minutes every
week (even better, every day) to say “hello” and chat for a few minutes. Try and remember birthdays, and
special occasions for people.
Also, do not underestimate the importance of basic courtesies
when you are delegating tasks to staff - and remember to, at the very least, acknowledge their work with a thank-you
upon satisfactory completion.
It is the accumulation of these thoughtful
gestures that will build you loyalty credits in the goodwill bank account. Yes, you need to have a focus upon
getting the job done at work, but just as important is the way in which you get the job done. You would never be disrespectful
to a customer, remember the relationships you have with staff are as equally essentail.
To return to our home page, please click Management Training CoursesManagement Training
Up-coming two day training course in Melbourne "Management
& Leadership Skills" For details on time, cost and course content, please see Management Training Courses
Corporate Training : Visit
www.performancedevelopment.com.au i f you are interested in tailored leadership courses offered in-house for your organisation
|
|
