Being a manager isn’t an easy task, and sometimes people are put in the position with minimal training or expertise. For those of you who are first-time managers, or managers who could use some refreshing, our team has created this post on what great managers are doing differently.

Take notes, as being a good manager is important for the success of you and your team.

Great managers understand that people don’t change too much. Instead of trying to change your employees’ skills, work to develop their stronger abilities. Many times managers try to spend time fixing an employee’s weaker areas, but they often end up where they started. Instead, focus on things the employee does well, and create new strategies that capitalize on their strengths.

Rid yourself of traditional performance appraisals, too. Traditional appraisals just tell the employee they can work on with no real plan. Great managers assess their employees’ talents and skills, and then provide training and development to strengthen those skills. The more a manager is able to develop and help their employee, the more successful the team will be.

Once you set expectations for employees, make sure the outcomes are attainable. Great managers help each individual employee establish objectives that are in line with the needs of the department and the organization. They also help the employee establish what the success will look like when they reach those goals. Having the manager and employee on the same page allows the employee to complete the tasks individually, without the constant supervision of the manager. Plus, it frees up the manager to work on their own duties.

When hiring for their team, great managers hire employees based on their talent. Experience and education are important, but talent is the key to a great employee. Some things to watch for when hiring a new employee include their need to be an expert in the field, the ability to strive for achievement, the creation of action plans for their success, accountability, responsibility, wanting to take the lead when necessary, and working well with others.

Being a great manager takes time, dedication, and experience. For more information on being the best manager you can be, contact one of our recruiters today.