If you're reading this, chances are you've been managing people and teams for a while and things haven't gone as smoothly as you'd hoped. Maybe your team isn't performing as well as it could be, or maybe you're just finding the whole process of management more difficult than expected. It is important to remember that managing people at work is never an easy task and there are always going to be some bumps in the road when it comes to managing people in the organization. In any case, don't worry - you're not alone. Many first-time managers make similar mistakes, and the good news is that these mistakes can easily be avoided with a bit of foresight.
In this article, we are going to discuss the common challenges that leaders and managers should know before they start leading and managing people in business.
Don't Aim To Be Liked, Aim To Be Transformational
There are a lot of people out there who want to be liked. They want to be accepted and appreciated by those around them because it makes them feel good and these feelings can lead to satisfaction and confidence. But being liked is not the key to success. The key to success is being transformative.
In today's fast-paced world, organizations require leaders who can adapt to change, inspire innovation, and bring out the best in their teams and this is a perfect description of a transformational leader.
Being a transformational leader means focusing on creating lasting change and growth within team members and organization. They have a deep understanding of their team members’ strengths and weaknesses and they are inspiring and motivating their team members to reach their full potential and create a culture of continuous learning and development that benefit both the individual and the organization. And they empower their team members to take ownership of their work and encourage them to take risks and innovate.
Competition Isn’t Always Needed; Collaboration May Come in Handy
“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs
When we start school, competition is the first thing we learn. School is a time when we learn how to compete. We are pitted against others, and the goal is to be the best. When we get there and discover that a pattern has already been created, this pattern informs us that if we don't fight or compete for a particular position, we won't get it.
This is how life functions as well. The definition of success and some ground rules for it have already been established by society. As a result, individuals are once more striving for the same position that they believe to be the only one available. However, that's not true, and the good news is that there are precisely as many spots as there are people. If you were brought into this world, there is a place for you. Your only task will be to find that place and give it all you have.
Instead, we would have worked together, encouraging one another to reach our own destination while realizing that it had nothing to do with ours. Collaboration is essential to helping others reach their destination. The more people that work together, the greater the chances are for success. This is because collaboration allows businesses to share knowledge and resources so that everyone can benefit. In addition to sharing resources, collaborations also allow businesses to learn from each other.
By working together, businesses can identify what works well for them and what doesn't. They can then use this information to improve their own operations. Finally, collaborations allow businesses to build strong relationships with each other which can be beneficial in the future.
Meetings Really Do Matter
Meetings are an important part of managing people. Studieshave shown that effective meetings are vital for successful businesses. You need to ensure that everyone who attends has their say to share their ideas and that everyone feels like they’ve had an opportunity to contribute as giving everyone an equal opportunity ensures that no person dominates the discussion and that everyone feels heard.
This allows you to get to know your people better, and it can help you to make decisions about how to run your business. Even if you are a "hands-on" manager, meeting regularly with your team will help foster a sense of teamwork and communication. By getting everyone on the same page and staying organized, you can avoid common problems and keep your team motivated and productive.
You Don’t Find the Right People, You Develop Them
"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership." -Harvey Firestone
Instead of searching for the best people who worked in the same job somewhere else, I’ve realized that it’s best to look for two qualities in new hires: Temperament and Curiosity. Most people can be coached to succeed in any role if they have the desire to learn and develop new skills as well as the ability to get along with others.
People are the lifeblood of any organization. They provide the backbone of any organization, providing support in areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, and communications. They are what make it possible for businesses to achieve their goals and objectives. Without good people on board, no amount of marketing or financial wizardry can save a company from failure. Therefore, it is essential that businesses invest in their people development programs early on in order to maximize their chances of success.
Influence Is More Important Than Power
"Power is nothing unless you can turn it into influence." -Condolezza Rice
Contrary to popular belief, having power does not necessarily equate to having influence. While power and influence are related, they are distinct concepts that operate in different ways and yield different outcomes. Power can be exerted through the use of authority, coercion, or the ability to enforce compliance. While influence is based on personal qualities, expertise, credibility, and the ability to persuade or inspire others which clearly shows that influence is a more powerful tool as it creates a genuine engagement and lasting impact.
The ability to make decisions, promote, hire and fire people comes with the title of leader, but the power to accomplish goals comes from influence. We cannot force anyone to do anything. We need to prove to them that we are the best candidates to direct, not merely because we were given a title, but also because we have the necessary skills, morals, connections, and work ethics.
All of these will increase your influence and help people follow you out of choice rather than obligation.
Conclusion
Being in a management position is hard as managers must possess a wide range of skills, including leadership, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, time management and a lot more. However, with the right mindset and skill set, managers can successfully lead their team towards achieving business goals and contribute significantly to the success of the organization.