Do you have good Managers? Part 1

In our Business Management Training Sessions, we teach the importance of strong and consistent leadership in a production environment. Visit www.willholmesconsulting.com/managers.html for more information.



Managers, as organizational leaders, must learn to appear resilient in times of adversity. When leadership falters, employee worry and doubt are sure to result. Worried employees tend to be less productive and can slow a high performing team. Additionally, when employees can visibly see the signs of stress on their manager, they normally begin to question their own future with the organization.



Every manager has a meeting where his Boss gives him bad news, or he is given news in a "less than pleasant" manner. However, it is important for the manager to filter the information and associated feelings when later speaking with his team. When meeting with the team, instead of recanting all the emotion and drama, the manager must instead explain what actions need to take place and how the team's achievements fit into the long term goals of the organization. Delivery is essential and will set the foundation for how the team reacts to the changes.



If the changes are extreme, these types of message are best delivered in one-on-one meetings first, as opposed to "rolling them out" for the first time in a grand team setting. Unexpected changes, delivered to a large group, can turn into a gripe session and ruin the rest of the day's production. Remember, the team needs positive leadership and direction, not negative fretting and confusion. The members of the team stake their livelihood on the stability of the organization. Worry about money is a distraction that must be avoided. The effective leader must calmly control the message and pick the forum wisely.



However, when a team sees their fearless leader frazzled, it is important to understand what happens next. The team usually start to question, "Is this what being a manager is all about?" Or, "Is this where I want to stay? Maybe I need to start looking for something a little more secure?"



We recommend that organizations make a habit of grooming future leaders. But, who will strive to be a manager if the current leaders always look haggard and stressed? The effective manager must learn to control his own emotions and understand the importance of perception for the good of the team. Achieving the organization's goals require stern, if not stoic, resolve in the face of conflict.



Keep in mind that many employees perceive a distressed and frustrated leader as a sign of a dysfunctional organization. They may question if there are greater issues to which they are not privy. The top performers, who usually have more options, may prefer to take the initiative to look elsewhere for "less troubled waters." Top performers usually do not want to "go down with a sinking ship." The strong leader must be able to belay fear and worry and keep the team focused on organizational goals and objectives. The team needs his consistency and clarity when all else is unreliable and unclear.



For more information on management or leadership, please visit our website, http://www.willholmesconsulting.com/ or e-mail us directly at contact@willholmesconsulting.com. We look forward to speaking with you!



-Will Holmes

Founder

Will Holmes Consulting

www.willholmesconsulting.com

contact@willholmesconsulting.com