Be A Better Boss

12 Pages 2905 Words

n the future.

FIND OUT HOW PEOPLE LEARN BEST
Some people need hands on supervision; some people like to learn by watching first and then doing. Some people like to jump right in, make mistakes and then come to you when they have a question. Some people like to read about things and like to be referred to courses or manuals, etc. Some people won’t learn by reading at all. Everyone learns differently, and as a manager, you are the one primarily responsible to see that people learn how to do their jobs with excellence: it’s not the job of the training department, which is their to support you, but not do all the teaching for you. Most managers mistakenly assume, without ever realizing it, that everyone learns the same way they themselves do. Very, very few managers ask people how they learn best, and so most people, when asked, don’t know quite how to respond at first – they have to think about it. Go ahead and ask anyway, and make them think! Just by asking, you’ll help them take more responsibility for their own learning while also getting a sense of how best to manage them and guide their growth in the job.

DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHAT PEOPLE’S BEST TALENTS ARE
Everyone has their “aces and spaces:” areas of greater talent and areas where they are not so strong. But not all of us know ourselves well enough to know where those spaces are, and sometimes we misguide ourselves. Sometimes, people have to learn through experience where they are not be suited to be, and in the process, you may lose some people who think they are most apt to do one kind of work when you see them as most fit for another. But make some assessment of where each person’s leading edge talents may be, and be open to revision as you observe performance over time. People generally will be happiest (and most productive) when they are doing what they do best, so try to guide them – and keep them challenged – in areas where they can...