How to be a good manager

Improve your skills
People skills are important, but what exactly are they? Professor Palmer identifies three key areas:

• motivation
• communication
• assertiveness

You need to be able to motivate yourself and others. And the greatest pull isn't always the money. Most people are motivated by being appreciated or feeling that they've made a difference. Some managers are knocked out by the concept that a simple 'well done' or 'thank you' can spur staff on to do more. Finding out what motivates staff means making time to talk to them.

Enthusiasm is infectious. A manager who can transmit enthusiasm to her staff will increase motivation. One way of ensuring you stay motivated is to write down three things that have gone well each day.

According to Palmer, 'Communication means being clear in what you say and do. The techniques range from ensuring that written information is circulated to asking for people's opinions'

There are many models that attempt to capture the key skills of effective people management. The LEARN Model (Listen, Evaluate and Respond Now) being one.

Listen

• You actively listen to what's being said
• Maintain eye contact
• Listen to the end of the sentence
• Avoid interrupting but do give a few low level 'mmms' and nods to show that you are listening

It is important to give people attention. Some managers say they have an open door policy but then seem preoccupied when staff members walk in. For instance, if you're check your emails while people talk, you give the impression You're not listening.

Evaluate

• This means analysing not just what's being said but how it's being said
• It's about the facts but it's also about hidden meanings
• Here's a scenario: your employee is usually prompt at delivery yet hands in a report late and says all is well with a strained look on her face. Ask yourself: is there is a problem that needs addressing?

Next page: what do you do next?