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Jun 14
Onward and Upward – Part 3: Making Great Employees into Stellar Managers

Managers Are Not Born, But Made. Part 3: Onward & Upward

  • June 14, 2017
Finding the right Manager to successfully lead a team can be a challenge. Taking the time to identify leadership potential within your organization is key. Internal promotions open the concept of opportunity while providing elements of challenge along the way. Give potential leaders the tools needed to connect with team members as a manager – boost everyone’s morale and productivity.

Help Turn the Mirror

It’s not always about what you’ve done as a leader, but how it’s been done. Every person is naturally a bit different from each other. We all have certain styles of communication, emotion, and even a natural style of leadership. A new manager is likely unaware of how their personality traits truly affect their manner as a manager. Evaluate where their strengths and comforts exist with a valid assessment tool. Share this information with your new leader and allow time for reflection and coaching. A strong support system is fundamental to successful management. The more familiar they are with their own unique styles, the more confident they will be in their individual managerial approach.

Tools for Teamwork

Armed with this insightful information, the manager now has the ability to learn more about the unique styles and traits of their team members. It takes time to get to know a group and how it works. For example, a new Manager who is highly assertive and outgoing may appear bullish or overbearing to a group or team that is naturally more cooperative and independent. Communication may be challenging particularly when the assertive/outgoing manager doesn’t understand how the cooperative/independent team prefers to communicate, work, relate to one another, or express emotion. When influencing others to work cohesively for a common goal, a strong understanding of the team’s preferences for work is essential.

Become a Trusted Advisor

All too often corporate development remains focused on technical skill. But technical training will not prepare for conflict, under performance and/or low employee engagement – all inevitable factors when bringing different people together to achieve a common goal. Managers often have no idea how to tackle these issues. Remove the guess work from managing people. Offer tools and coaching that prepare the manager for hard conversations, team analysis, and even adjustment if necessary. Then act as a trusted advisor rather than a practical trainer. SmartHire can help with the managerial process as part of our Talent Management program. Check out our website or contact us through Facebook to get your new manager started today.