With all of the organizations I have worked with, 80% of them have not taken a step back and asked the question “What does a good manager look like in our company?” It’s a crucial question that often gets overlooked. This is surprising since managers are typically seen as an extension of the business owner to keep moving the organization forward.
Many managers don’t really know what success looks like for them. Crazy, right? This lack of clarity can lead to missed goals, inconsistent leadership, confused employees, and ultimately, underperforming teams.
Defining Great Management: A Step-by-Step Approach
So, how can you start defining great management in your company? Here’s a roadmap you can use:
1. Assess Your Current State: Take a good, hard look at where you are now. What’s working? What’s not? This is your starting point. Identifying the gaps is crucial for improvement.
2. Clarify Must-Have Skills: Get clear on the essential skills for your managers. What qualities align with your company’s values? Consider aspects like communication, strategic thinking ability, or talent for developing team members. Each organization is going to have slightly different skill requirements.
3. Set Crystal-Clear Expectations: Define what success actually looks like for a manager in your company. Think about metrics like team performance, employee retention rates, and goal achievement. If they are managing a sales team, it may be around sales goals. The metrics created should align with the larger goals of the organization.
4. Emphasize Continuous Development: Remember, great managers aren’t born; they’re made. Create a system for ongoing training and support for your managers so they can be the best they can be.
5. Define Leadership Style: Leading is different than managing, but there is some crossover. The best managers lead by example, build trust, and empower their teams – not micromanage them. Make sure your definition of good management includes these elements.
6. Promote Adaptability: One size doesn’t fit all in management. The best managers can adapt their approach to different situations and team members. Encourage flexibility in your management model.
The Payoff of Intentional Management Definition
By getting intentional about what great management looks like, you’re setting up your entire organization for success. You’re creating a culture where everyone knows what’s expected and has the support to get there. This clarity leads to greater individual and team success, improved employee satisfaction, and ultimately, increased profitability.
Remember, defining good management isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process that evolves with your organization. But by taking these steps, you’re creating a solid foundation for leadership excellence that will drive your company forward.
So, I challenge you: take a moment to reflect on your organization. Do your managers know what success looks like? If not, it’s time to start defining it. Your team – and your bottom line – will thank you.
Ways to Work Together
If you are feeling trapped in your business and not experiencing the freedom you want, here are the two ways we can work together.
One-on-One: Ready to create a business that allows you the freedom you want? We are passionate about our custom solutions and systems for your business. Our approach takes your industry, your unique disposition as a business owner, and your emerging definition of success, and we develop a unique to you plan to move you towards loving your business again. Click the link above to set up a call identify your goals, discuss your current roadblocks, and to ask any questions about working together.
Business Roadmap: This is for the business owner who needs help on what the next thing is to do, and the next 5 steps after that. You don’t need another social media course, email funnel, or sales strategy, but a plan specific to you and your business. You’ll gain clarity on where your business is at, create a plan, you’ll know what to do and what to ignore, along with the resources you need. In the end, you will take that plan and implement, saving you thousands of dollars and years of headache.
A third way, and I know I only said two, but sometimes I can’t help myself. If you are feeling stuck and are in need of resources, reach out. I am happy to point you in the right direction and even provide an asset of my own to help you move forward.
Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?