How can you become a better manager? What are the steps you need to take to get there? Below, we've compiled five management tips from Harvard Business School faculty and industry leaders who are featured in the course Management Essentials to help you get the most out of the teams you manage.
1. Have a process
At its core, good management is all about processes. A process is a series of steps or actions that results in a particular outcome. When you look at management and decision making as a process, it's easier to repeat desirable outcomes and avoid failure. As Professor Kevin Sharer explains, managers must both understand and be prepared to optimize or change the processes related to their work:
2.Implement that process
Developing a process is a great start, but it doesn't do you much good unless you can effectively implement it. Professor Kevin Sharer discusses the importance of implementation and the crucial role it plays in middle management:
3. Assemble your team wisely
Make sure you have the right person in charge and take time to identify everyone that needs to be involved in the process and in what capacity. According to Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria, the success or failure of the implementation depends on the leader and the team you've chosen:
4. Communicate, communicate, communicate
It's incredibly important to make sure that every member of the team is informed, on the same page, and understands the reasoning behind your decision making. To communicate effectively, you need to understand the different communication styles of the members on your team. Meghan Joyce, East Coast Regional General Manager of Uber, discusses why you may need to slightly adjust your message or delivery to more effectively convey the information to certain members of your team:
5. Make time for reflection
Arguably the most important step in the management process—and the one most often neglected—is reflection. Whether you've experienced a huge success or a resounding failure, it is equally important to look back and identify what factors contributed to that result. As professor Amy Edmondson notes, reflection is key to learning and improving:
Amy Edmondson Reflection in Management Video
Are you interested in elevating your managerial skills? Explore our eight-week online course Management Essentials and learn about how you can leverage critical organizational processes as a means of getting work done and achieving results.
