The difference between a micro-manager and a skilled manager is as wide as the Grand Canyon.
- The micro-manager second guesses everything, whereas a skilled manager tries to set up guardrails and rules.
- The micro-manager wants to make decisions for their direct reports, whereas the skill manager plays an advisory or coaching role, to help achieve the goals.
- The micro-manager is reactive and isn’t helping to look ahead. Whereas the skilled manager is proactive and is always planning a few months out so that there is adequate time to prepare and get work done.
- The micro-manager wants everything now, doesn’t prioritize and never gives her team space to work. The skilled manager works hard to adjust priorities, explain the reason and steps back from the day-to-day work.
How to Be A Skilled Manager
- Be clear about your team’s role in the organization. Make sure they see the priorities and the vision.
- Be specific about individual roles and responsibilities. When things get blurred among team members, talk through the challenges.
- Be steady and consistent. Although meetings can be troublesome, regular meetings can be productive to help teams align and report status. Don’t be afraid to hold reoccurring meetings; use the time productively to build a disciplined approach to your work.
- Be available and responsive. If you don’t answer an email or text within 24 hours, you have a problem.
- Be accepting of the need to test, take a risk and fail without being overly judgmental. Instead, try being constructive in your conversation and offer a chance to do a post-mortem on a problem.
- Be helpful. All the skilled leaders I know are great teachers, mentors, and lead by example. They want their direct reports to succeed, and never fear their team member’s advancement.
I have been fortunate in my career to have had a few excellent bosses who were role models of how to be a skilled manager. Learning to be a skilled manager by being lead by a skilled manager makes a big difference.
Empathy and Discipline. It all starts with being an empathetic person who cares about people coupled with a disciplined and rigorous approach to getting the work done. You see the push and pull of caring and competence at the same time.
Balance, modesty and an orientation to action are required to be a skilled manager for a small team or in leading a business.
What type of manager are you?
Need coaching advice on managing a marketing team or a business? You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free and we can explore if working together makes sense. Try my new chat feature on my site if you have a quick question.
