Why Managers should help their Employees
Smart management understands the importance of having visibility in their organization. Productive employees support a successful management style and requires the manager to take the time and offer help to their employees when they need it. Most of us have had managers that remain behind the walls of their office or seem to find a hide-away in the countless meetings they have to attend. There are not visible and have not built any effective communication or working relationships with their employees. Effective management cannot happen if the manager does not invest any time in the development of their employees.
Managers that have achieved effective relationships with their employees have learned the value of showing an interest in them. They find out their goals and what development opportunities they are looking for. Effective managers have excellent listening skills and know the value of listening more and letting employees do most of the talking. This does not mean they have to agree, but they can help the employees that are struggling and those looking to advance their skills. These type of interactions would never occur if the manager has not developed any type of relationship with their employees.
Effective managers that take the time to help their employees create a working environment where there is open communication. Managers can asses their employees skills and involve them with assignments or opportunities to enhance their skills. Managers can make employees feel comfortable to take some risks and learn from their mistakes. Smart managers need to be available when their employees are successful and praise them, this is a great motivator to further success. On the other hand, effective managers need to be available to assist employees when they fail or experience disappointment, they can guide the employees to learn from their experiences.
If a manager is committed to their own development, this is inspiring to employees and a motivator to improve and work on their own development. It is important that managers let their employees know what they are doing to improve themselves and the employees will gain respect because it shows that your are really committed to doing a better job. There is a very positive effect on the working environment when managers share what they have learned from their successes and also their failures, it adds a human component to the role of the manager.
Feedback both from the manager and the employees is a process to become informed and get pertinent information. Managers should steer away from judging employees, you will most like see employees become defensive. Instead try to provide nonjudgmental information, you will obtain more feedback when you have not stirred up all kinds of negative emotions.
Manager need to remain connected with their employees for their own development and that of the employees that they manage. Management should be a two way street without barriers placed in the way. Managers should become role models by openly working on their own development and encouraging the development of the employees they are managing. It is a vital skill that managers are available to help and develop their employees.
