Sometimes, as a manager, we can feel like we are on our own little island doing our job as intended. But donât forget to look up and see your team of employees that are there to work for and with you, as well as partners in upper management. No one can manage everything by themselves, and will need to reach out from time to time. Sometimes we find that we may need to reach out to those weâve just met, or even someone we thought weâd left behind.
Never Burn a Bridge
Whether you left another company to come to this one or you are moving departments, there is always a bridge behind you that is moving you forward. Our natural instinct is to let out our frustrations on the people you no longer have to see, but burning that bridge behind you wonât erase the past and could harm your future. You never know when or where youâll need to face the company or person again. Youâll want to ensure if you do meet again or if you ever need their assistance (a reference perhaps), that youâll be in their favor.
Tips:
- Leave with notice, if possible.
- Do not leave in anger â keep all negative comments and frustrations to yourself.
- Thank the manager or HR for your time at the company. They will remember your gracious attitude when they are called for a reference.
Take the High Road
âTaking the high roadâ simply means to make a decision based on moral, or to act ethically. When faced with a difficult decision, the manager should âtake the high roadâ to either resolve the problem or correct what they might have done wrong. The key to doing this is to have certain boundaries and use them when needed. Acknowledge the position someone else may hold, even if you do not like it or agree with them, and then use your boundaries to express your side with being negative or unethical. Even if the situation is not any better, it certainly did not get worse.
Helpful tips:
- Take a deep breath and think about what should be done, rather than what is currently being done.
- Think about the kind of person you want to exhibit to those around you â show it in your actions.
- Remember that we all have disagreements and make mistakes. How would you want the other person to treat you in you were in their shoes?
Trust is a Two-Way Street
Employees want to trust their manager and depend on them for their needs at work. It is important for the manager to build trust between themselves and their employees, especially since this may help repair any trust deficiencies made somewhere else. When managers show trust in their employees and believe in their hard work, employees will continue to strive to do well for their managers and show their trust in return.
Tips to help build trust:
- Show confidence in your employees.
- Be honest and tell the truth, even if it makes you look bad or puts you at a disadvantage.
- Demonstrate that your words are consistent with your actions â make due on your promises.
Don’t Hide in Your Office
Office employees count on their managers to be leaders and want to know that they are there to face tough office situation when they arise. Some managers try to find the benefit of staying in their office, perhaps to gain focus or ignore non-office related chatter, but in reality it is actually hurting the team they are trying to focus on. When the manager spends most of their time behind a closed door, employees begin to feel neglected and can start to resent their manager. Make it a point to come out of the office and speak with your employees and how they are doing on the job. Your employees will respect you more as a coworker and an ally then the stuffy manager that hides behind closed doors.