Whether you are a long-time manager or a fairly new one, it’s always a good idea to re-evaluate and review any changes you want to implement or enhance related to your managerial style. With 2015 upon us, this is the perfect time to look at overall improvements you should make in order to keep your team members happy, healthy and hard-working. Based on my experience, as well as other experts in leadership, organizational culture and supervision, here are some New Year’s resolutions for managers.
- Provide positive feedback. One of the easiest ways to increase productivity and sustain employee loyalty is to tell people when they do a good job. Also, acknowledge both personal and professional accomplishments such as birthdays, work anniversaries and other important milestones.
- Create teambuilding opportunities. It is vital to the cohesiveness of your group to do regular teambuilding activities. These could be internal activities that are more professional, as well as off-site social ones.
- Improve communication/expectations. Make sure you are communicating with your staff on an individual basis and as a group. Your team members should have written expectations of what you want accomplished, both short-term and long-term.
- Delegate more. Free yourself up to take on other relevant projects by delegating whatever tasks possible to your employees. This also allows them the ability to grow professionally and take on additional responsibilities.
- Choose a self-improvement initiative. Find an area in your professional life that you feel you would like to improve on and put together an action plan for making it happen.
- Listen to your employees. Many bosses may hear what their team members are saying, instead of really listening to their suggestions. When possible, implement their ideas and give them credit.
- Create/sustain work-life balance. Ensure your employees are taking time for themselves by being flexible and empathetic, as well as by making the department a positive place to work.
- Address problems right away. Instead of letting negative situations go on too long, deal with them in a timely, consistent and compassionate manner. This sends a strong message to your team.
By following the advice above, along with pursuing any other personal and professional goals you may have for the new year, you can retain quality employees, create procedural efficiencies and enhance wellbeing. Your management style has a huge impact on the performance and culture of those who work on your team. Studies have shown that the primary reason people stay or leave a company is due to their direct manager/supervisor, so it’s in the best interest of everyone involved to create and sustain an environment of professional respect, open communication and recognition, while still being able to have fun and remain positive.
What are your thoughts? Do you have any personal stories you are willing to share? Please feel free to ask questions or share your experiences below.
Suggested Resources
- New Year’s Development Goals for Leaders
- No. 1 Reason People Quit Their Jobs
- Impact of Manager Feedback on Employee Engagement
Jeremy S. joined Empathia in 2007 as a Manager, Client Care Services, then became an Account Manager/Sales Consultant in 2012. He is also a certified wellness and tobacco cessation coach. Jeremy has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Organizational Development. Prior to joining Empathia, he spent 14 years in the EAP industry in a variety of managerial/leadership roles at another behavioral healthcare organization. Jeremy enjoys reading, photography, music and spending time with his wife and daughters.
