While it’s something that has always been important, managing people and the tools and ways in which we do that has become more important than ever. The where and how we are working has likely changed forever in this post-COVID world, and presented new opportunities and challenges when it comes to managing people.
People Management is the “process of training, motivating and directing employees to optimize workplace productivity and promote professional growth”. Situations that people management plays a critical role for any organization is:
- Handling interpersonal conflicts
- Leading employee training
- Managing deadlines
- Building company culture
There are a number of things and essential skills to consider when it comes to enhancing the management of people in your organization:
Empowering Employees: Fostering an environment where employees can develop new skills, increase productivity, receive constructive feedback, contribute their input, and receive support on challenging projects.
Active Listening: Practicing active listening by seeking a full understanding before responding, maintaining eye contact, eliminating distractions, interpreting non-verbal cues, and asking follow-up questions.
Conflict Resolution: Developing the ability to analyze situations to identify potential conflicts, recognizing that miscommunications or misunderstandings are common culprits, seeking areas for compromise, and working toward a collective understanding.
Flexibility: Knowing when to be flexible versus firm, understanding that flexibility can enhance productivity in areas such as work schedules, individual accommodations, and workflow processes, and continuously analyzing results to determine necessary changes.
Patience: Demonstrating kindness, respect, and empathy, especially when training new employees or teaching new processes, as employees are more likely to ask questions when they feel they have patient managers.
Clear Communication: Employing clear and simple language to ensure understanding, revising messaging when necessary to avoid information overload or inaccessible terms, and encouraging clarifying questions.
Trust: Building trust both in leadership and within your team by consistently following through on commitments, demonstrating your skills, offering help when it’s requested, and providing constructive feedback.
Organization: Maintaining critical organization practices to stay on track and maintain productivity, which includes promptly responding to questions, tracking deadlines in a calendar, conducting efficient and purposeful meetings, and properly assigning and delegating tasks.
Conclusion
In a rapidly changing world, where the workplace continues to transform, effective people management remains a key for success. By mastering these essential skills and approaches, your organization can not only adapt but also thrive in the face of new challenges and opportunities. Remember that people are your organization’s most valuable asset, and investing in their management and development is an investment in your future success.
