It’s fair to say that the role of a manager is not always smooth. Whether you are experienced or not, it’s your job to lead, motivate and inspire your team to get results. Of course, along the way, there will be challenges but that comes with the territory. Despite this, how do you manage a team of staff efficiently?

Understand the Importance of Communication

Communication sits at the very core of every business and when it breaks down, problems arise. Whether it’s communication instructions or a breakdown in communication between the sales department and the warehouse, it can cause a business to suffer. As a manager, it’s important that employees are provided with clear information of what is expected of them, details of performance and even simple conversations to check in on their wellbeing. Whether you are providing training on the latest touch screen till from XEpos or explaining new processes as part of an internal system, communication is a simple yet effective tool when managing a team.

Create Healthy Working Relationships

Every manager has to have the respect and understanding of their team. This also works the other way, whereby a manager also has to respect their staff. As a result, it makes sense to understand your team on a professional basis as well as a personal basis because all of this feeds into how they operate in the workplace. When you learn more about them and who they are, it will help you to build solid relationships. So, if you find yourself spending time behind a shop counter with your staff, when things get quiet it can help to have a low-key conversation with them to get to know them better.

Recognise Good Work

Boosting morale is vital in the modern workplace. Staff want to feel valued and if they don’t then productivity can drop. Feedback isn’t just about communicating a problem or a complaint. It’s also about providing positive feedback when they do something good. Perhaps they spent time with a customer searching through their epos system for an item to determine if it was in stock or maybe they helped to initiate a refund with minimal hassle. Whatever it might be, if you encourage team members when they do something good, it will encourage them to perform better and they will feel a valued part of the business.

Be Honest

You might carry the title of manager but you are only human and that means that you can be honest when you need to be. Need assistance with a task? Don’t be afraid to tell your team members that you are struggling and need help. When you show your team that you too need help, they will feel inspired to turn to you when they need you.

Assert Authority

As a manager, it is your duty to lead by example but you also need to assert your authority. This means that you need to make decisions for them and stand by those decisions. It doesn’t matter whether you are managing a team working in a catering van or a team managing a large warehouse, you have a role to fill and that means making decisions.

At times, making those decisions will prove challenging. It will lead to frustration from team members and could even cause problems. However, what you need to remember is that it is your job. If you notice that a team member is impacted by your decision then communication can play a role as you can explain to them why you made that decision.

Delegate Correctly

As a manager, it is your job to determine what team members carry out certain tasks. It’s crucial to get to know your team so you can understand what they are good at and what they need to make improvements in. Some people might perform better when they are facing customers at the cash tills while others might be more efficient at monitoring stock levels.

When you delegate correctly you will ensure that people understand what is expected of them but you can also ensure you enhance productivity. Of course, you also have an opportunity to develop people after discussing a potential new role with them. Whatever you decide, it has to have a positive impact on the team.

Deal with Conflict

Conflict in the workplace can lead to significant problems but it is your job to deal with it. If you fail to take action then it could have implications on the team performance, morale and relationships could become fraught. When an issue arises, you’ll need to diffuse the situation and hold a conversation with the parties involved. If the problem is menial then a simple conversation will suffice to ensure that your team are back on track and working together again.

Lead By Example

It is your duty to set the tone when it comes to how your team behaves and perform in the workplace. Your team might be beneath you in the business structure but they still look to you for guidance and inspirations. If you set a good example then you will earn their respect and that can help to build solid relationships. You might need to show that you are not above their level by carrying out tasks that might not be on your remit but this can go a long way to showing them that anyone can do it if you can. By setting a good example, they will understand where the boundaries lie but they will also have an understanding of what you expect and that is crucial in the workplace.

So, managing a team requires a wide and varied skill set that ensures each member understands what is expected of them. Efficiency and productivity are achieved by creating healthy relationships, communicating well and leading in the right way. With respect and a mutual understanding, your team will work for you and not against you, something that is hugely important in the workplace.