How to Lead, Manage, Motivate, and Supervise Employees Effectively
“Inventories can be managed, but people must be led.” H. Ross Perrot
As a manager, leader, or supervisor, your ability to lead, manage, supervise, and motivate your subordinates or staff — the people under your purview — is of great importance.
The following tips will help you improve your leadership skills and relationships with your subordinates and get strong support from them.
1. Be Fair to Everyone
Treat each of your subordinates or staff fairly and respectfully. Some people are by nature more likeable than others, but as a supervisor, you have to avoid even the slightest hint of favoritism; be fair to everyone. You may have to be flexible in your leadership style for each of your subordinates.
“Fair is not everyone getting the same, but everyone getting what he or she needs. A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Mahatma Gandhi
2. Develop Everyone
Everyone is unique. Each subordinate has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. So, work on developing the abilities or potentials of every employee. Don’t overlook the need to provide any necessary resources and training needed by the employees to do their jobs. By doing so, they will perceive that you care about their well-being. In return, they will be more respectful to you and, hence, work better.
3. Know and Like Your Subordinates
Learn the individual strengths and weaknesses of the people you supervise. This will aid you in assigning tasks on the basis of skills rather than at random. It will make them feel good about working with you.
4. Show Continuing Interest in Your Subordinates
Show continuing concern for your subordinates by providing feedback on their performance regularly, not just at performance evaluation time. Be honest, whether they are doing good or bad. This means giving praise when it is deserved — not when it isn’t.
5. Criticize with Care
Be diplomatic whenever you criticize any aspect of an employee’s performance. Never jump to any judgment or conclusion without thinking first about the consequences for your critics. So, be tactful with your subordinates at all times. They will surely appreciate you for being a considerate and diplomatic leader, manager, or supervisor.
6. Be Flexible
Be flexible in dealing with employees’ concerns. Going strictly by set procedures won’t always give you the flexibility you need to resolve individual performance. So, always use good common sense when dealing with employees’ concerns.
7. Give Simple Directions
Give simple, but specific, job directions at any time you assign a new task to a subordinate. Make things not so difficult in the eyes of the subordinate, even if it is in actuality a challenging task. This will make them feel good and confident in doing the jobs assigned to them.
8. Defend Your Subordinates
Defend your subordinates against unfair criticism; be with them. Make them think and feel that you are a reasonable or supportive leader, manager, or supervisor.
9. Be a Coach — Not a General
Remember! You are at work, not at war. So, be loyal to your subordinates as well as to the company, organization, or employer. Include subordinates in the decision-making process whenever feasible. You can also show your leadership qualities by working to obtain promotions, pay raises, and awards for deserving employees.
More Leadership Articles by Taidin Suhaimin
“A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.” Thomas Carlyle