Be a great Manager

It’s never too late to learn how to be a great manager.  It doesn’t matter what industry, function, or expertise you have, management is a skill and an art in which you will need to learn if you want to move ahead.

Learn from the best!  Darryl Conner is a Change Management Expert. 

When I was in the Marines, I was given a new platoon to command.  As a new platoon sergeant, being the leader doesn’t concern me with change management, why?  The Marines are trained to follow orders and employ the strategies and tactics I give them with instant obedience.  In turn, my Marines don’t have to worry about me as the new leader because I’ve been trained to lead what the rankings provide.

In the business world — Not so similar — First you have to manage the change of you to the subordinates and the subordinates to you.  Both parties need to meet eye to eye.  You will be learning as they will be learning.

As a new manager, start by communicating the objectives (missions) of the department or group.  This can simply mean you are setting expectations.  Give them the breakdown of the goals and the business.  You will always be challenged by the newness of the change.  Typical reactions of your subordinates to a new manager:

• Victim – Terrified of the impending change, like status quo
• Bystander – Hoping for things to stay the same
• Resister – Critic trying to rally others to resist the change
• Navigator – Handles it in stride keeping focus on the mission and the opportunity
• Opportunist – Seizes the changing time to promote self or ideas

As a new Manager, you need to make it happen early! Involve everyone early, communicate with them often, and let them know you are a leader!

The Manager must learn how to be a leader – and learn how to inspire

Management is a destination, leadership is the ship that will take you there!

As a Leader… use this acronym:  MOST

M – the Mission
O - the Objective
S – the Strategy
T – the Tactics to make it happen

There are many philosophies on leadership and management.. tons of books with great wisdom and techniques..  It is part Art and part Technique.  Managers are often individuals that are expected to do the impossible.  They are expected to solve their superior’s problems, and their subordinates’ problems and their own.  While they make this happen, a great manager will never lose his bearing and will never break a sweat. 

Leadership:

- A successful leader is having your subordinates respect you for who you are.. not your rank or position. As a great manager, the journey to get your team to the goal requires you to be a judge, negotiator, referee, counselor, and a coach.  You must always be honest and demonstrate positive values.  I also encourage managers to learn from their subordinates and reward them for their valued effort. 

To build and retain trust, you must be accessible!  Always remind your people if they have any questions or concerns, you are ready and willing to listen.  Let them make mistakes and take responsibility for it.  Ensure that the mistake is a learning experience.  Learn from your own mistakes, you have responsibility for other people’s actions, so the last thing you want to do is be responsible for someone’s mistake.  When things don’t turn out the way it is expected, recognize what you could have done differently.  Finally, treat everyone with respect and equally! 

 I would like to thank my ACP Mentor for coaching and teaching me all the above concepts!

Ryan Enriquez

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