There are a number of strategies for managing employees, and the best approach is one tailored for your business and staff, as no two teams performing the same role will be the same. Some managers introduce management strategies at once in a coherent plan while others make smaller changes over time. The dynamic and working styles of the team determines the best approach.
What Are Management Strategies?
Management strategies are a series of techniques and approaches that help a business, or a team within a business, set and achieve goals. They become directions on the road to success while providing guidelines and processes for staff to follow to reach those outcomes.
You don’t have to choose just one management strategy. Combining different strategies for managing employees means you are ready for whatever situation arises, and accommodates staff with different needs and expectations. Certain management strategies work better in some companies and with staff in particular roles while other strategies bring results with employees who need a different approach.
What Is Good Management?
Accommodating the needs of your staff is the basics of good management. Rather than trying to implement a one-size-fits-all management strategy, which will see certain people struggle to adapt and meet the targets you need them to achieve, a bit more work will show that you understand and value each member of staff.
Understanding how each team member works best, how they approach their work and what environment suits them best will let you maximise their potential and productivity. Good management might vary from person to person, but there are some core steps you can take to put you - and your team - in the best position to move forward.
5 Strategies For Managing Your Team
While there are plenty of strategies for managing employees, picking the right ones, and implementing them the right way, can determine how successful they are - which is a reflection of your own managerial record. Good management will help your employees perform and this reflects better on you when the team meets their targets.
Try these management strategies to improve the performance of your team.
1. Set Clear Goals And Targets
One of the easiest management strategies to implement is setting clear goals and targets. This applies to the business as a whole, an entire team, or a specific employee. These goals should be related to each other, with smaller targets contributing to larger ones.
However, good management takes this further. The goals shouldn’t be arbitrary targets to achieve, but a part of a larger purpose. This gives staff a sense of value, that they’re contributing. By ensuring they understand the importance of the work they do, and how it impacts the company’s success, you can increase their motivation and productivity.
2. Prioritise Work And Tasks
When you set targets, prioritise work that will help staff meet the goals that have been set. In some cases, this is making the tasks obvious so there’s no confusion, but good management also helps staff learn and develop. Sharing your knowledge, and how you made those decisions will make them feel more confident in the direction the business is going.
After this discussion, employees should be clear about the work they complete that has the biggest impact on their targets. If for any reason they aren’t, and it’s by design - for example, as part of their development - make it clear to them that’s the case. Don’t sacrifice the results, though.
3. Implement Effective Time Management
Once targets are set, and the tasks identified, consider how much time the work should take. This varies for each employee, as skill level, confidence, and motivation all play a part. Avoid micromanaging as a management strategy, as while this gives you complete insight into what’s going on, most staff will react negatively to it and it will lower their productivity.
You should also understand that most people do not work every minute from the moment their day starts until it ends. Pretending otherwise is demotivating. Whether it’s thinking through solutions or taking a break to face the next task fresh, effective time management should take this into account to keep employees working at their best.
4. Provide and accept feedback
Any of the management strategies we implement might not work as intended. There could be changes to the business, or altered workloads due to staff changes. People themselves may change and need adjustments or the goals could become outdated.
Whatever the situation, it’s the people on the ground, your employees, who will notice and experience this. Being open to feedback will allow you to refine the management strategies and ensure they stay fit for purpose. At the same time, it’s your job to give feedback to your employees, help them achieve everything they can. Be open and the benefits will be seen on both sides.
5. Revise processes when needed
With this feedback, you have the opportunity to maintain the status quo or make changes that benefit everyone in your team. Good management will see you do everything you can to help your staff, allowing them to achieve their goals and you to meet your targets.
Trying something new might seem daunting, but there are ways you can improve your knowledge and resources that will benefit the entire business.
How To Be A Good Manager
Even managers don’t know everything and that’s why there are a range of training courses that provide the knowledge, tools and resources to allow them to make the best decisions for their team. Whether it’s about management strategies, improving workplace productivity, or something else entirely, upskilling yourself is the best way to be a good manager.
Our online training courses on management skills include The Exceptional Middle Manager, The Experienced Manager Bootcamp, The Seriously Excellent Management program, and many more. No matter what areas you want to improve or build upon, you’ll find exactly what you need in our selection of courses.
Find Out More About Management Strategies You Can Implement
Implementing the right management strategies can be a game changer for your team, and the businesses as a whole. Once you understand what each management strategy entails, and what you should expect from implementing it, you can make more accurate projections that inform your goals and guide the business towards success, whether that’s growth, revenue, or something else.
Knowing the best strategies for managing is important for anyone leading a team, department or business. If you have questions about which of our courses would be the best ones to help you improve your skills, contact us now.