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Being a manager is not an easy job. It’s not even a job that some people want; it’s just something that has happened organically over time. Yet just because it’s hard, or just because it’s not what you imagined yourself doing, that doesn’t mean you can’t be good at it. Being a good manager takes skill and confidence, and it also takes time so don’t expect to get there right away. Yet with the right attitude and the right planning, you can be an excellent manager that gets the best out of your employees. Read on to find out more.

Be Flexible 

A lot has changed in the world of work and business. What was commonplace in the past is becoming much less so for a variety of different reasons. Working in an office is one of these things, and so too is working the traditional 9 to 5. Today, people need more flexibility in their lives, since the work-life balance, which has been missing for quite some time, is emerging as important once again. 

This kind of flexible working means that employees are much happier in their roles, and even if they are working shorter hours, they can often get a lot more done as they are more content and therefore more productive.  

To be a better manager, you also need to be flexible. You need to be able to adapt to the situations taking place around you and work with them to create a better workplace for everyone. This might mean allowing for home working, or staggered starts, or simply to be open to suggestions. It will depend on the kind of work that takes place and the employees you have to manage. 

Give Rewards 

Giving rewards to employees who have done well and who have boosted the business or done something for the company to be proud of is a good idea. It may seem as though you are playing one employee off against the others, but this is why you need to do it diplomatically. The employee will benefit because they will know you truly value their work. The other workers will benefit because they will see that they will be rewarded for working hard too. You will benefit because employees will want to please you. And the business as a whole will benefit because everyone is working much harder. 

This kind of reward system doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and you can offer all kinds of different treats and prizes from extra vacation days to restaurant coupons to custom branded awards.  

Be Fun and Fair 

There is a careful balance to be struck when you are a manager. Too strict and no one will want to work for you. Too lenient, and no one will do what they’re asked as they know there are no consequences. Somewhere in the middle is a crucial line to walk, and if you can get this right (which is where the experience will come in) then you will be able to garner respect and encourage your workers to do what you need them to do. 

By being fun when you can and stricter when you need to be, the workers will see that there is a line and that you know how to strike a balance across it. Once they understand that you can do this fairly, everything else will fall into place.