Manager Points

I have a list I call “Manager Points”. I keep it in a folder that I carry everywhere at work and refer to often (but not often enough.) It consists of short reminders to myself of knowledge pulled from books, blogs, and personal experience. It is constantly evolving, and it is not always gramatically correct, but here is a snapshot of it as of now:

Rely on group wisdom, believe that the team is smarter than the individual
Drive toward a common understanding of a problem. It will save time in the long run and prevent future roadblocks
You can’t fake clarity on the desired end result
Look for responsibilities to give to people
Focus on What is right, not Who is right
Give people a chance to feel like big contributors, and praise people as a spokesman for the team. “Thank you for… The whole team appreciates…”
People are fitter, happier, and more productive when they claim work, rather than you assigning it to them. The people we hire are motivated, they will claim work hard if given the chance and shown appreciation
All meetings need a purpose and agenda
Welcome smart ideas, don’t be afraid of someone doing “your job”. This is how people grow, and it’s always productive if working toward a common goal
Encourage good / difficult communication. There is no substitute for a face-to-face conversation
To make sure that difficult (ie: painful) conversation happens when it needs to, make communication routine
Stay calm, look at challenges as a change in circumstances. Focus on adapting
Look for what motivates people - everyone is different - Challenge, Attention, Excitement, Friends, Money, Deadlines
Everyone has ups and downs. Learning new things is hard. Be patient.
Look for opportunities for change, excitement, and learning.
Think often about what you could be overlooking and what you should be preparing for
Think just as often about what you are learning and what you have done correctly
Hold people to a schedule by asking questions, not making demands
Your main responsibility is no longer “you”. It is now your team. If they do not learn and advance in their careers throughout the project, you are not doing your job.

Back