Top Ten Things Every Manager Must Know

Managerial tactics are the sum of one's experiences at the forefront, tasking employees, pleasing superiors. Here are some of the advice that some experienced managers have given:

Admit it. Don't try to let loose a smoke grenade when somebody asks you a question, be it a subordinate or one of the bosses. Even though they can't quite see what you're doing, they sure can see the smoke. Trying to look like you know the answer will only lower their opinion of you, so just admit it, and promise to get back to them later (within a specific time frame, of course). In addition, if it is truly your fault, don't try to shirk the responsibility. Like I said, they can see it when you try to smoke-out like a ninja, so just admit it and apologize. Your people will come to respect you for that.

Never gossip. Gossip is for the homemaking spouses who need to make their lives a little more interesting, unless you want to be the homemaking spouse in the near future. If someone offers a juicy piece of news, politely decline, or excuse yourself from the discussion. You can do without the implications of involving yourself in that conversation.

Don't be snobbish. Slog it out with your subordinates. No one likes a manager who just points fingers and then waits for the work to get done. Lead by example, and push the front lines yourself. Gain yourself some credit by doing the work that nobody else would take up.

Share the credit. Don't hoard it like the dragons do. That is why the occasional knight in shining armor comes to slay it and loot its treasure. Moreover, a manager with a strong looking team will look stronger himself. In addition to making his subordinates feel good, you make yourself look good as well.

Ask for help. Even Spiderman needs help some time. That is the reason why you are leading a team. Make use of them. And be sure to lead by example, and share the credit as well.

Keep the size of your salary to yourself. Unless you want to see some jealousy at work, that is. Or perhaps you would like your crushed ego served up to you on a silver platter? Bruising egos would only make asking for help more difficult than it should be. Or maybe it was yours that was bruised when you realized that you couldn't match up to even half the pay of your colleague in the neighboring department. Nonetheless, money is a sensitive issue. Avoid the subject at all costs.

When you don't like someone, don't let it show. Maintaining team integrity is important. And if you don't like him or her, it does not mean that you don't need his or her help anytime later. Don't rule out any possibilities - Confucius says, "It is better to have a friend than an enemy." Listen to the wise old man.

Suck it up. Some times, things don't go according to plan. In fact, many things don't go according to plan. But it doesn't mean that things don't go according to plan all the time. So just be humble and suck it up. All things happen for a reason, and if you are gracious enough about that passed up promotion, the person who was promoted instead of you might just help you when it matters.

Stop gloating. It gets you nowhere. Gloaters are in the same class as those who reveal their salaries. Turn that energy somewhere positive. Instead of gloating, find something positive about the work of the subject in question. That could win you valuable allies, in place of the enemy you would have made laughing in his face.

Ask questions. Be concerned about the well being of your people. These are the people who do the dirty work for you - make sure that they are well taken care of by asking about their needs. Ask questions such as:

What made you so unhappy?

Did you have any problems with the deadline?

Do you have any feedback regarding this?

What could have gone wrong?

Did we spend too much?

Did we waste too much?

Did you understand everything that was going on?

What didn't make sense?

Did we have too many people working on it?

Did we make the job too tedious?

Keep collecting feedback. It will definitely help you on your way.