In many instances, people will get a promotion or work their way up to be a manager, only then to find out that they do not have what it takes to become a manager. It is certainly a skill to be a good boss, and there are plenty of people who do not naturally have this skill. But being able to get the best out of people is what is going to help you in the long-term. It will help to build the business, as well as help people stick at their career, and you’ll all enjoy coming to work.

So if you’re new to management, or think you will be heading that way soon, then what can you do to make sure you’re getting the best out of your employees, but in a way that is conducive and not patronizing? If you have no idea where to start, then you might be looking into the many reasons to do a leadership and management course! That could certainly help you. But for now, here are some tips to help improve your management skills:

Schedule One to One Meetings

Employees want a manager that communicates with them, but one who allows follows through on what they say. When you do that, you’re much more trustworthy and reliable. So what you need to think about is saying to your team that you’ll schedule on some one-to-one reviews or talks to see how things are going. Then you actually have to do it. When this happens regularly, you know you’ll be able to deal with issues as they arise, as well as the team knowing that they will soon have the chance to talk through whatever is on their mind in-depth with you.

Make Work Fun

Ok, let’s be clear, there are some jobs that need to be done and some that are never going to be that fun. But you can make the environment that  you are in a more fun place to be. Work with your team to see what they would prefer, so that it really is more enjoyable for everyone. Simple things like celebrating birthdays, bringing cakes in for a treat each Friday or wearing casual clothes one day a week can boost morale and be an easy win as a manager.

Create a Safe Environment

This is not only just down to the physical environment that they are in, but also the other environments that they are in. If there are toxic people working there or bullies, then take steps to deal with it so that you’re making it a safer place for all, both mentally and physically.

Understand Motivations

In an ideal world, each team member will love the company that they are working for and will want to make it the biggest and best that it can be. But in reality, this isn’t always the case, though they could still do a good job. In that case, take time to understand what other motivations are for your team. Are pay raises and cash incentives a big motivator or are people concerned about career progression and longevity? When you know what makes them tick, you can better deal with them and help them and get the best out of them.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.