How to Be a Better Manager

I’ve been on a management course

I was told that there are only 4 things you need to worry about if you want to be a good manager:

1. Provide a clear direction.  Ensure everybody knows where they are supposed to be going.
2. Give people space.  Stand back and let them go in the direction you have set.
3. Get the resources they need.  If your team need help, find the help they need.
4. Provide encouragement.  Celebrate their successes and help them learn from their failures.

If you read about it or think about it — and I have, a little — you come to the conclusion that these 4 simple points are 80% of the management problem nailed.

But I am still a lousy manager

If you ask my team they will agree, going on a course  (no matter how simple and effective ) does not a manager make.

Why is it so hard?

Because I was brought up to take control of a situation.  I was promoted because I had a flair for the technical stuff.  I like it and people have told me I am good at it.

I’ve never been rewarded for letting go, delegation, giving people their head and all that other wishy-washy empowerment stuff.  It is not within my nature.

But I make up for it in other ways…

How about you?