Management Keys to Success

I have been a manager of people since I was 17 years old.  When I was 17, I was a "Shift Leader" at a fast food store in my hometown of Benton, Illinois.  I was in charge of a shift of seven or so employees.  At age 27,  I became a manager of a group of 71 people with the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. 

Through my years of experience, I have trained many supervisors with the following keys to success.

1. Employees need and deserve to know the reason WHY! 
2. Try to see things in the eyes of the customer and in the eyes of your team members.  If we accomplish this, our actions will change.
3. Ask the people you work with what they like doing and what they do not like doing, find out why, and then try to make it better.
4. It is important to know the people in your work unit.  The more you know about them, the more effective you will be as a manager.  This is best achieved by simply watching, listening and asking questions.
5. It is important to do exactly what you say you will do exactly when you say you will do it.  This will leave a positive impression of you with others. 
6. Learn how to laugh at yourself.
7. Don't refer to the people you work with as "your employee."  People are not owned and should not be treated as your property.  Instead, refer to them as the "people you work with" or "team members".
8. Never respond immediately to a crisis, if possible.  Take time to examine all the facts, think about it, listen and observe before you act.  When this is accomplished, you normally will respond differently and more successfully.
9. Always realize that we can never stop learning about our jobs.  We can always improve and yes, that includes YOU.
10. Make one of your ongoing goals to groom others for higher positions.  Everyone wants to be successful.  Show people how and they will feel indebted to you; set up roadblocks to their success and they will retaliate with hate and revenge.
11. Remember God gave us two ears and one mouth.  We should listen twice as much as we talk.
12. Remember that one of the most important jobs as a manager is to keep the employees you work with as happy as possible.
13. Make time each day to spend walking the floor, talking to employees and showing them how you care.
14. Keep employees involved in decisions and always keep them informed about what is going on in the work place.
15. Let people know what you expect of them.  Let them know when they are meeting your expectations and when they are not. 
16. Remember that everyone is different, so don't try to teat everyone the same.  Treat everyone fairly, but not the same.
17. Employees want their supervisor to "take charge" and lead.  They do not want you to be weak.  We can communicate the stronger image by improving our appearance, making decisions, showing energy in our own productivity, handling mistakes calmly and always being positive.
18. Be modest.  Always give more credit than you take.
19. Always maintain a Positive Attitude.  Remember people are watching you.  You may have heard the saying "Attitudes are caught, not taught."
20. Be honest and tell the truth! 

Ten Principles of Management

Through my years in management, I have tried to follow these ten principles.

1. Your number one job is to keep employees happy.
2. Lead by example.
3. Always maintain a positive attitude.
4. Don't get anxious.
5. Follow the chain of command
6. Maintain confidentiality - do not gossip.
7. Always make those above you in the chain of command look good - and you will look good.
8. Understand that most problems are related to communication - always strive to improve your communication skills.
9. Maintain good work habits.
10. Always be  honest.

Tips to Succeed in the Workplace

1. Make the boss look good
2. Be honest with your boss and coworkers
3. Stop talking so much and start listening
4. Don’t let rejection stop you from moving forward
5. Don’t overlook the details (little things)
6. Don’t talk too much in large meetings
7. Make yourself known for same day responses
8. Always say please and thank you
9. Learn from your mistakes, don't dwell on them
10. Watch computer enhancement videos on YouTube
11. Look up every word you come across that you can’t define
12. Do the part of the job you like least first
13. Don’t be afraid to ask successful people for advice
14. Ask why things are done the way they are
15. Don’t fall into the telephone trap
16. Be loyal to your organization
17. Don’t run your social life from your office desk
18. Dress neat and professional
19. Develop your communication skills
20. Have a positive attitude
21. Neatness counts
22. Be tougher on yourself than anyone else would be
23. Compliment people every day
24. Look for mentors both inside and outside the company
25. Always be polite to everyone

Contact me today for more information on my consulting services.