What is the job of a manager? Put most simply, it’s to make the people who work for you as successful as they can be. Think about it – it makes sense. If people know that working for you is a good route to their success, then they’ll want to work for you. If they’re successful, then so will you be; it seems obvious. I do wish that more of my managers had known this!
If you have someone work for you, then get to know them really well. The more you know them, the better you’ll understand them – and probably the more you’ll like them. This is important; if you like someone you’re more likely to be kind to them, and if they know that you’re on their side, they’re more likely to look out for you in return. Try to understand what motivates someone – know their skills and weaknesses, and what they like and dislike. That way, you’ll be able to anticipate their responses to your direction, and so on.
It’s a truism that we learn through doing things, so time spent outside of your comfort zone, is probably a good investment. It makes sense, therefore, to stretch people by taking them outside of their comfort zone from time to time. It’ll help them in all sorts of ways, from gathering new skills, to increasing their self-awareness. But there’s n little point in repeatedly asking someone to do the same task that they’re unhappy with. So, debriefing them on their feelings is also important. It’s helpful too, to know the comparative strengths and weaknesses of your team members. A good manager takes worries away from people. If someone is struggling with a task that they dislike, then they’re likely to procrastinate, top worry about it, and not to do it well. On the other hand, if you can pass the task to someone who will take it in their stride, then you’ve removed the worry. Simples!
Read a good book on management. There’s far more to this than a short article from me can contain. Learning is a good thing.