In the past, the primary objective in business was to maximize return on equity - the highest possible returns on the capital invested by the owners. Today, as a manager, you're tasked not only with generating a high return on equity but also a high "return on energy" from your team. You're expected to optimize the returns on the human capital invested in your business. Research indicates that the average employee squanders over half of their work time on non-job-related activities. This presents an opportunity: if you can fully engage your workforce, you can potentially double productivity without additional expenditure. So, how do you extract the best from your team? It's not complex. It consistently boils down to one key factor: The way you treat people and emotionally impact them is more crucial than your education, experience, or intelligence. To maximize your team's potential, motivate and emotionally influence them. If done well, you'll unlock their potential, creating a high-performing team that outperforms competitors. To foster a fully engaged workforce, strive to be a better manager. Concentrate on how you treat people and the emotional impact of your words and actions. As Napoleon Bonaparte said, "There are no bad soldiers under a good general." Peter Drucker's advice is also relevant: replace 'success' with 'contribution' in your business vocabulary. This shift in perspective can positively transform your attitude towards yourself as a manager and towards others in the workplace. - Brian Tracy.
The essence of effective management truly lies in fostering happiness among your team, a task that requires genuine effort and a strategic approach. Engaging and uplifting your employees starts with the simple act of smiling genuinely and making eye contact, which conveys your pleasure in their presence. Encouraging open communication by soliciting their opinions makes them feel valued and respected. It's crucial to listen attentively without interruption, showing that you value their input and respect their perspective. Politeness, especially towards subordinates, reinforces a culture of respect. Keeping your team informed and open to their ideas for improvement fosters a collaborative environment. Viewing employees as volunteers and potential influencers acknowledges their autonomy and potential impact, enhancing their engagement. Offering competitive compensation is a tangible way to show they are valued. Regular compliments and praise recognize their efforts and contributions, boosting morale. Creating a positive work environment and discouraging negativity helps maintain a healthy and productive workspace. Being patient with challenges and focusing on responses rather than the issues themselves encourages a solution-oriented mindset. Celebrating successes and taking an interest in your team's personal lives shows you care beyond the workplace. Acting as a mentor and providing career guidance and opportunities for growth supports their professional development. Allowing freedom within boundaries and avoiding micromanagement empowers your team. Protecting your team from negative influences and viewing them as family creates a supportive atmosphere. Maintaining a cheerful demeanor and focusing on building people up fosters a positive team spirit. Clear communication of expectations, measurement criteria, and deadlines ensures everyone is on the same page. Providing consistent feedback and treating your staff as you'd like to be treated by your boss establishes a fair and respectful relationship. By choosing one behavior to focus on each day or week and working through the list, you can master the art of effective management. This process may take time, but as Oprah Winfrey said, "Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe." The rewards of a happy, engaged team are indeed extraordinary.
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