How to Be a Better Manager and Leader

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Whether you’re new to the job or an experienced professional, it’s hard to be a good manager and leader. The skills for these roles are acquired over time with experience and management leadership training.

No matter your industry or area of expertise, there are many things you can do to become a more effective, confident, and inspirational leader. Seeking manager training and feedback, familiarizing yourself with leadership best practices, and working with an executive career coach can improve your management skills. Here’s what you need to know about how to be a better manager:

Seek Feedback

Feedback helps managers improve by giving them an outside perspective on their own behavior. Constructive criticism also ensures managers can take action to solve workplace problems. It’s common for managers to stop seeking feedback from coworkers, peers, or subordinates as they ascend to higher leadership positions. Getting honest feedback in these positions can also be difficult, and many people are reluctant to provide criticism because it can be uncomfortable.

If you’re in a management position, seek out those who will speak to you honestly. One way that you can get feedback is to create an environment where open communication is welcome. Schedule regular check-ins with staff to receive feedback from them. To make this easier, you may ask them to fill out a questionnaire that asks basic questions about how things are going in your division or team. During your check-in, discuss your team member’s answers. Over time, these regular meetings will create an environment where feedback is welcome, safe, easy to accept, and easy to give.

Get a Mentor

Your company may have a mentorship program that you can take advantage of. If so, find a mentor who will talk to you about the challenges people experience when they’re in a leadership position. Your mentor is someone that you should be able to discuss difficult workplace situations with.

If your company doesn’t have a formal mentorship program, you may still be able to find one through informal means, or you can seek help from an executive career coach. A career coach can provide you with an objective perspective on workplace problems and speak to you from a place of knowledge and experience.

Career coaches are skilled trainers, mentors, and workplace guides. With your career coach, you can ask questions, get feedback, and learn how to handle challenging workplace situations with skill.

Attend Training Sessions

Everyone can benefit from additional training, including managers. Attending training sessions is a way to stay up to date on the latest best practices for your industry and career.

Very likely, your company offers training or provides access to training through outside organizations to give managers and employees a means of improving their performance. If your organization does not provide training, your executive career coach can give you personalized sessions to build on your strengths and improve areas that need more attention.

Practice Good Communication

Managers must be good communicators. Unfortunately, many find that speaking clearly, honestly, and diplomatically can be difficult. Practice good communication with members of your team, including providing honest feedback. Schedule regular appointments to discuss strengths and areas for growth with your employees.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when communicating with your team and other colleagues:

  • Be specific when providing directions or instructions to members of your team.
  • Be authentic and genuine, especially when discussing difficult topics.
  • Communicate in a timely fashion.
  • Be approachable.
  • Support two-way communication between yourself and team members.

Want to know more about being a good communicator? Talk to your executive career coach. These professionals understand interpersonal communication and can help you find effective ways to interact with your team.

Contact Strong Training & Coaching

If you want to be a better manager, invest in your future. The executive career coaches at Strong Training & Coaching located in NYC provides both in-person and online career coaching sessions for experienced and new managers.

Contact us today to get started.