The people in your team may feel a bit uncomfortable when you sit down and spend time with them, particularly if they're not used to it. They might not be used to you doing it or perhaps a previous manager didn't do it. It's often the case that people are uncomfortable because they associate their manager sitting down with them as a prelude to a reprimand.
As Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson say in their book 'The One Minute Manager' - "Catch people doing something right" Too many managers think that their job is to - "catch people doing something wrong."
Many old style managers believed that their job was to check up on what their people were doing and "sort things" as required. Many employees today still feel that's still the situation. If a manager comes close to you then they're checking up. If you've got that culture amongst your team members, then you need to change it.
Think of it this way - are you the kind of manager who spends time with your team to find out what they're doing or to find out how they're doing. Make sure it's the latter.
Some of your people may even be a bit scared of you particularly when they first join the team. You may believe that - "you're much too nice a person for anybody to be scared of little old you" - however I used to believe that too.
One day I was discussing a new salesman with John, one of the more experienced guys. "Young Patrick's scared of you" he said. "Don't be ridiculous" was my reply, "What have I ever done to make him scared of me, I'm always really nice to him." - "Well he is scared of you and just wants to please you" said John.
This was something that really made me think because there was no way I wanted any of my team to be scared of me. Now that I was aware of it I took more care in my dealing with Patrick and our working relationship worked out okay.
So always be aware of the impact you're having on your people; you may think that you're the nicest most reasonable person in the world but how do they see it. Sadly, there are some managers who quite like the fact that their people are a bit scared of them and they see it as a positive situation. These are also the managers who spend a lot of time recruiting new people.
I can remember times when I've taken over a new team. I've had many strange looks and defensive body language when I've stopped to have a chat with some of the team. Some field sales people would get extremely uncomfortable when I told them I'd be spending some time with them visiting customers. However, I always knew that I was getting it right when at later date a salesman would ask - "When are you coming out with me again Alan to see some customers."
There's always going to be members of your team who are really keen to spend time with you and others who are less so. However, you must spend time with everyone - more with some and less with others. If you do it right, then your people will start to get used to it and start to see the benefits to themselves.
Discover how you can generate more business by motivating your team! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales by Motivating Your Team" This book is packed with practical things you can do to get the best out of your people . Visit http://www.howtogetmoresales.com
Oswego taxi to Midway ..A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More
As a freelance writer myself, I know how important it... Read More
Who keeps the wheels turning in your organisation? Who holds... Read More
To be a success is not always to be a... Read More
A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More
Everyone knows, works or lives with "innies." Who are they... Read More
If you own a franchise you would be wise to... Read More
Have you seen the tee-shirt with the slogan, "Talk to... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Have you noticed that some people seem to stop listening... Read More
There are few industries or service type businesses, which are... Read More
The world of work has changed. It used to be... Read More
This sports cliche is a memorable phrase that reminds people... Read More
Once you've set a goal for yourself as a leader... Read More
Survival: The Name of the New Economic Game People rarely... Read More
A follow-up companion reader to The 17 Indisputable Laws of... Read More
Turbulent TwistersYou've read about it in the headlines and experienced... Read More
Eight Principles for Purposeful AlignmentEffective teamwork requires individual members of... Read More
What's the Secret Ingredient That Turns Groups into Teams? Working... Read More
Benefit 1 - You get to understand them betterAlmost everyone... Read More
A lot of effort has been carried out in the... Read More
Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However,... Read More
There is a WHOLE lot of talk these days about... Read More
Proactive High Performance Teamwork is made up of nine proactive... Read More
As the world of manufacturing has become increasingly competitive, managers... Read More
shuttle from Midway Morris ..The grand purpose of coaching is to help your managers,... Read More
"Tak kenak! Tak kenak!" "Adak Orang sanak!????"The quiet jungle has... Read More
A follow-up companion reader to The 17 Indisputable Laws of... Read More
It's a great sunny day so it's time to get... Read More
Companies often have incentives for reps, but sometimes that isn't... Read More
Are workers telling the truth when they say they are... Read More
The second in a series of 2 articles giving a... Read More
The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many firms.It's... Read More
As a manager, your employees will come to you with... Read More
Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More
Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More
As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and... Read More
As a business owner, I've had staff come and go... Read More
Once you've set a goal for yourself as a leader... Read More
Let's look at the detail of giving feedback. Whether you... Read More
Team Building Question:I'm a manager of a team of 20... Read More
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common... Read More
Ever watched a really brilliant idea meet with resistance and... Read More
To be a success is not always to be a... Read More
As a freelance writer myself, I know how important it... Read More
Why do we human beings complicate things? Is it that... Read More
Do you remember how you felt after your last interaction... Read More
Survival: The Name of the New Economic Game People rarely... Read More
When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More
The key to life is to be around the people... Read More
Team Building |