with PurPose
Many people struggle with climbing the management ladder in business. Why? In my experience, I feel it is directly related to the misunderstanding of what it means to be a member of management. Oftentimes, people equate promotions and/or positions of authority to increased compensation and benefits (perks if you will). Although a promotion can lead to an increase in pay, allowing money to be a motivator in leadership can cause a quick breakout of disenchantment.
I always tell people who are interested in management two things; number one ‘you manage processes and lead people’ and number two the further you move up, if you haven’t positioned yourself well, your hater meter will be off the charts. Even a person who leads with support, fairness and guidance still encounters their fair share of hater fever. A position of leadership is not for those with weak stomachs or the faint at heart.
Your focus has to be two fold and unfortunately the two focal points are arch rivals! People and Production. One may ask why they are arch rivals as it’s not clear at first.
People: Ultimately it is your responsibility is to influence others in a positive manner that makes them want to come to work and produce.
Production: In order to experience continued growth, you have to be results driven and prove that you can cut costs, generate more revenue or some other key performance indicator that 9 times out of 10 are not relevant to the happiness of the people you lead.
Now here’s the rub! In order to produce increased results you need to push your people. Likewise, in order to keep your people happy and motivated you have to avoid pushing your people. *PAUSE* See, you’re starting to get the dilemma!
So what do I do Biz Fit? Well I’m glad you asked! “Run for the hills!” Just kidding… here’s what I would do…
#1 Take care of the people first and the majority (not all) will take care of you.
#2 Conquer the most unhappy person on your team first and get buy in from them.
#2a These are the team members that are negative and by that fact have the most influence on your team!
I also find they know the work the best and are often feeling unheard, unattended to and simply UN. (They probably feel they should have your job)
#2b Place them at the forefront, give them a project, help them implement a plan and be sure the higher ups are aware of who came up with the plan; brag on them a little.
#3 Be vulnerable and admit you don’t know it all and that you are looking to them for their expertise; you are only there to support them.
#4 Roll your sleeves up and do the work alongside your people.
If you do these things consistently, production will increase. Happy employees work harder not because they love the company or their jobs but because they feel supported, they feel a part of a team and they are engaged.
Take care of your people and they will take care of you!
Next time let’s talk about cream and sediment!
Until next time stay Biz Fit!