7 Essential Tips for Being a Fantastic Manager

In every job I've had, I was promoted to a supervisor or management position. I was always well regarded by my supervisors. I would like to share some of my tips for being an effective manager or supervisor.

Not everyone is created equal.

When you have people working under you it's sometimes easy to forget that not everyone is the same. Sometimes we forget everyone is different. As a manager, it's important to take into account different personality types. It's easy to forget that not everyone has the same perceptions, education, and upbringing as you do. For example, at my one job, I had a girl on my team who was super sensitive. The constructive criticism that I gave her during her reviews had to be done very carefully. The tone of voice that I used and types of comments I could make to her had to be different than the majority of people on my team.

You're the boss not a friend.

One issue I can't stress enough is to keep a strict working relationship with those you manage. If you must hang out with people from work hang out with the other managers. If you fail to do this, but you may be opening yourself up to trouble. Someone under you may start making complaints to your manager or supervisor about your "favoritism" to a certain person or people under you. If you get called in about it, it isn't going to help your cause if it's known that you hang out with that person or people under you on a regular basis. While we're on this topic; never, never, date anyone you supervise or manage. This can really open you up to a whole lot of trouble that you don't really need.

Be a stickler for the rules.

Some people will tell you that you should overlook small infractions and choose your battles more wisely. I completely disagree with this philosophy. When I was on duty, I ran a tight ship. For example, the one place I worked at had a dress code. Females were not allowed to wear more than two pair of earrings. There was a young lady who had at least eight holes in each ear. Some managers would have just overlooked this, figuring it's a small rule infraction.

However, if she came in with more than two pair of earrings when I was manager on duty, I made her take out all of her earrings except two pair. The way I see it, I was hired to manage and oversee everything. If you let one rule slide with one person, other people will start to break other rules because they figured you let so and so get away with it. Not to mention, intermittent enforcement of rules can lead to accusations of favoritism. If you enforce the rules with everyone every time, no one can make that accusation.

Lead by example.

Employees who work under you are almost like children. They will pick up on you telling them to do one thing, but then you do something entirely different. For example, if you are taking 45 minute lunches when you are supposed to only take 30 minute lunches that will be setting a bad example. Your employees will take note of this and figure that if you can do it, why shouldn't they be able to?

Don't threaten disciplinary action and then not follow through with it.

If you have an employee who is not cooperating and you have warned them they will get disciplinary action taken against them; don't back down if they break the rules again. Some employees are good at testing your resolve. If they learn your bark is worse than your bite, some will take advantage of this and walk all over you. Also, be consistent with disciplinary action. Otherwise, you may find yourself being confronted with someone claiming you are discriminating against them. Be strict, but be fair, when it comes to discipline.

Share your opinions about policies and procedures and rules with your supervisor or other managers. Not your employees.

It's almost inevitable that the company you work for will change something from the way it is currently being done to something new. Being creatures of habit, most people resist said changes. Even if you can't stand the changes, don't ever let those you manage know this. If they come to you complaining about the changes, empathize with them not to point out why the changes were made and try to frame it as positively as possible. If you do disagree with the new rules, policies, or procedures go home and write down your disagreements. Type a report about why you disagree with the new rules, policies, or procedures.

Always keep it within the realm of constructive criticism. Don't just shoot from the hip, if you present a well-thought-out report to your supervisor, you're more likely to make a positive impression. Even if things don't change, keep your composure; if you think positively about the new situation you'll come to accept it a lot quicker and easier.

Be dependable.

The fastest way to move up is to be dependable. Ask your supervisor, if there is a job or task that they do not like to do and offer it to do it for them. If they see you do a good job with that they'll probably start giving you more tasks to do. Before you know it, you'll be promoted.

If you follow the above mentioned tips, a you'll find that your job as a manager will become much easier and you will probably be promoted more quickly. These tips have worked very well for me in every job that I've had as a manager or supervisor. I hope you put them to good use.