5 Ways to Be an Effective Manager Today

It's tough being a manager. You are stretched in 100 different directions and some days it seems like you get nothing done and your staff seems less motivated than ever. It seems hopeless but there are five things you can do right now to make your day more productive and your staff a bit more motivated and therefore productive.

Complete Something.

As a manager there is an endless amount of things to get done and most days it seems like you only get a little bit done of each. It's a deflating feeling. Pick something that is important and can get finished in 1 hour and do it. Close your door, tell your staff that you won't be taking any calls for an hour and focus just on that one thing and completely finish it. You will feel a sense of accomplishment and that is a great way to start the day. It may not completely vanquish that hopeless feeling that comes with having too much for one person to do, but it will help.

Delegate Something

Most managers are terrible at delegating. They feel like they have to have their hands on everything or it won't be done right. Pick that one person on your staff that has tremendous potential and give them an important job. There are high achieving people on most staffs and these type of people want to have responsibility and prove that they can handle it. It's time to give them that chance. It will take one more daunting task off of your desk and you have instantly motivated your best employees - two birds with one stone! If you have another high-achieving staff member that came in a close second, go back to your office and get something for them to do too.

Praise Someone

Find that one staff member who is lacking in confidence and find something they have done right and praise them. Make it sincere and make sure you do it with a few other staff members around to hear. You will make their day and the spring in their step from it will motivate them to better production.

Connect with Someone Difficult

You probably have one staff member that you don't see eye-to-eye with and that there has been a certain amount of conflict with. Walk out of your office, go to their desk and ask them how their weekend went or what they are doing in the upcoming weekend or how their kids are doing. It doesn't matter exactly what you ask, it's that you asked in the first place. Then, when the pleasantries are out of the way ask them what you can do to be a better manager for them. Hard, I know, but it will be well worth it.

Ask for Advice

Call an employee into your office that works in an area that you need advice on. No one knows everything and there probably is a part of the business where your knowledge is weak. Admitting that you don't know everything makes you seem strong, not weak. The employee who gives the advice will feel good about themselves and you will get some advice that you need. An employee motivated and knowledge received - two birds with one stone again.

It's tough being a manager but if you follow these simple steps you will have a great day, today, and you will set the foundations for a great week, a great month and a great career as a manager. Make it happen!