31 Ways To Become A Better Manager - Consolidated Carousel v1

3131 Ways to become a
Ways to become a Better Manager

Better Manager
A Handbook to
become an absolute
Rockstar at your
Manager role
www.CoachHemant.com
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The #FirstTimeManager is under a lot of pressure.
There is very little training before they take up the role.
There is very little training after they take up the role.
They need to take ownership of their own learning

curve and emerge as an exemplary Leader.
They need to start working towards their next

promotion and achieve desired level of success.
Presenting 31 Ways to Become a Better Manager …

For each of the 31 Ways to Become a Better Manager,
the document has an overview as well as a practical
action that you can take to practice and hone the skill.
Everyday, look at one or two ways (only) and try to

implement the practical way in your work-life.
Maintain a journal with your observations, experiences

and outcomes.
Implement the methods and reflect on them every

weekend and note down your observations and
experiences in a journal.
31 Ways to become a Better Manager
01
Be an excellent communicator
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As a manager, your ability to clearly and

concisely convey information is vital.
Being an excellent communicator means not
only articulating your thoughts and ideas
clearly but also actively listening to your team
members.
Clear communication plays a crucial role in
setting expectations.
www.CoachHemant.com
Way 01 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:
Focus on listening to your team
Today, be conscious of your listening and hold

yourself back a bit in terms of replying or
reacting to them. Allow them to have their
say and encourage them to take their
thoughts further before seeking validation.
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02
Set clear expectations for your
team
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Setting clear expectations is essential for

creating a high-performing team.
When expectations are vague or undefined, it
leads to confusion and ambiguity, hindering
productivity and results.
Clear expectations promote accountability.
team members take ownership of their work
and deliver results.
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Set clear expectations
For every task you assign today, set a clear

expectation with the team member in terms
of timeline, expected quality, approach to
take, expected result, expected format (if any)
Go to great lengths to clarify expectations
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03
Delegate effectively
(This is a BiG one)
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Effective delegation is the most crucial skill for

managers. It’s the heart of their role.
Delegation allows you to leverage the
strengths and capabilities of your team
members, enabling you to focus on higher-
level responsibilities and strategic initiatives.
When delegating, it is important to consider
the skills, expertise, and development needs
of each team member.
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Delegate something that you have always

been reluctant about
Today, pick one task that you haven’t

delegated before although you wanted to.
Communicate clearly and set the right
expectations with the team member.
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04
Build Trust
with your team members
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Building trust is a fundamental aspect of

effective leadership.
Trust forms the foundation for strong
relationships, open communication, and high-
performance teams.
As a manager, it is crucial to cultivate trust
with your team members to create a positive
work environment and drive success.
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This one is tricky. How does one build trust?
Actually. You already did.

Delegating a task is trusting someone.
Giving them the confidence that they can do it
and no problem if they make a mistake is
helping them trust You. Delegation = Trust.
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05
Provide
Constructive Feedback
regularly
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Providing constructive feedback is a critical

aspect of effective team management.
Regular feedback helps individuals grow,
improve their performance, and achieve their
full potential.
Constructive feedback focuses on specific
behaviors, actions or outcomes and offers
improvement suggestions. Feedback should
be specific, objective, and with examples.
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Schedule Feedback time with team
Schedule a 30-minute meeting with each of

your team members today, individually.
Give them constructive feedback and be open

to take feedback or comments from them.
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06
Encourage
Collaboration and Teamwork
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Collaboration and teamwork are essential for

achieving collective goals and driving success.
Communicate the shared purpose and
emphasize how each team member's
contribution is vital to achieving that purpose,
individually and collectively.
Create opportunities for collaboration by
structuring projects and tasks that require
cross-functional or interdisciplinary teamwork.
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Delegate a task to 2 or more as a team
Repeat the delegation task with a twist.

Pick a larger task and delegate to a team of
your team members.
Clearly communicate and set expectations.
Promise feedback.
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07
Lead by Example
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As a manager, your actions and behaviors set the
tone for your team members and shape the
organizational culture.
Leading by example involves demonstrating the
qualities and behaviors you expect from your
team.
Displaying a strong work ethic is essential. Show
dedication, punctuality, and a willingness to go
above and beyond when needed. Take ownership
of your responsibilities
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Be the Change you wish to see in your team
A habit you want to change in team/member
Communicate clearly the change to the team /

member and be the first one to do it and
follow it. Lead change by being the example.
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08
Show Appreciation
for your team's work
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Recognizing and acknowledging the efforts

and achievements of your team members
fosters motivation, engagement, and a
positive work environment.
Start by offering genuine and specific praise
for individual or team accomplishments.
Highlight the impact of their contributions and
the value they bring to the organization.
Publicly acknowledge their efforts
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Express Genuine Appreciation for each team

member
Appreciate the work done by each team

member individually.
Make it genuine. Be genuine. Say the truth.
Make it specific and detailed. Not generic.
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09
Foster a Positive
Work Environment
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Creating a positive work environment is crucial

for productivity, engagement, and overall well-
being in the corporate world.
Fostering a positive work environment
contributes to higher job satisfaction, improved
teamwork, and increased retention rates.
Encourage work-life balance and well-being.
Recognize and celebrate achievements.
Promote a culture of learning and growth
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Get your team together and ask them for just

one practical idea each to foster positive
environment.
After each member is done, ask for one more.

And then, one more.
For x team members, you now have 3X ideas.
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10
Empower Team Members to
make Decisions on their own
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By granting autonomy and authority, you foster a
sense of ownership and accountability among your
team members, leading to increased engagement
and better outcomes.
Define the scope of authority and establish the
level of autonomy for each team member based
on their role and expertise.
Encourage a culture of experimentation and risk-
taking. Embrace the idea that failures can be
valuable learning experiences.
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Remember the idea generation exercise for

fostering positive environment.
Now, its time for action.
Empower each team member to implement

one of their ideas. Provide your full Support.
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11
Be Transparent and Honest
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By practicing transparency and honesty, you foster
trust, build credibility, and create an environment of
open communication and collaboration.
Keep your team informed about organizational
updates, changes, and important decisions. Share
relevant information about goals, objectives, and
strategies.
Transparency helps to eliminate uncertainty and
rumors, promoting trust & alignment within team.
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This one is tricky.

And you got to figure out yourself.
Is there something that you have knowledge

of and the team doesn’t? Is there something
you could share with team without breaking
protocol or ethics? Figure out & Do it
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12
Develop
Strong Relationships
with Team Members
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Strong relationships foster trust, open

communication, and collaboration, leading to
higher engagement, productivity, and overall
team success.
Start by getting to know your team members
on a personal level. Take the time to
understand their backgrounds, interests, and
aspirations. Show genuine interest in their
lives and actively listen to their stories.
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Spend 15 minutes with each of the team

members, individually. No work talk.
Focus on getting to know them personally.

Let them do most of the talking.
Let them tell you about yourself.
No judgements. No conclusions.
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13
Nurture Professional Growth
and Development for your
Team Members
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As a manager, it is your responsibility to

support and encourage the team’s learning &
growth.
Provide opportunities for learning and skill-
building. This can include offering training
programs, workshops, conferences, or online
courses that enhance their knowledge and
capabilities.
Actively help them grow.
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Schedule a 30-minute knowledge sharing

session in coming days.
You will be sharing your expertise with team.

You will share insights from your experience.
Encourage team members to do similar
knowledge sharing sessions.
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14
Recognize and Address
Conflicts quickly
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Ignoring or allowing conflicts to persist can

negatively impact team dynamics,
productivity and overall morale.
When conflicts arise, it is crucial to address
them objectively and impartially.
Schedule a private meeting with the involved
parties to discuss the issues openly and you
play the mediator / facilitator.
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During your regular interactions with the

team members, ask if they are facing any
conflicts and if you can help.
Conduct a session on basics of conflict

management or get it conducted taking help
from L&D/HR.
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15
Encourage Creative
Problem Solving
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Encouraging creative problem-solving is vital

for innovation, growth, and overcoming
challenges.
Foster a culture that embraces and values
creative thinking to find innovative solutions
to complex problems in a simple manner.
Encourage team members to explore
unconventional ideas and approaches without
fear of judgment or criticism or failure.
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Get the team to brainstorm on a business

problem that has been vexing you and team.
Get your team to bounce some absolutely
crazy ideas that might work. No judgemento
ideas during the brainstorming session.
Let the ideas flow. Generate 10X ideas.
Select 3 most feasible ideas to implement.
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16
Be open to Feedback
From your Team Members
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As a manager, it is important to create an

environment where team members feel
comfortable providing feedback and
expressing their opinions to YOU.
Regularly ask for their input, suggestions, and
opinions on their work and team dynamics.
When receiving feedback, practice active
listening. Give your full attention, maintain an
open mindset
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Spend 15 minutes with each of the team

members, individually.
Ask for honest feedback from them.

Let them do most of the talking.
Let them tell you about You. Just Listen.
No judgements. No defensive statements.
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17
Stay Organized
and
Manage Time Effectively

Staying organized and managing your time
effectively is crucial for productivity, meeting
deadlines and maintaining a work-life balance.
Establish a system for organizing your physical

and virtual files and folders; and your tasks
and priorities.
Utilize tools such as calendars or to-do lists to
keep track of your tasks. Use Urgent-
Important matrix to manage time.

Have a look at how you organize or structure

the storage of files on your laptop. Think of a
better structure to organize all the files so that
you can find them faster.
Review your last week and see how much time
you spent in each quadrant of the Urgent-
Important matrix.
Plan your day today & tomorrow with
cognizance of each task’s urgency/importance.

18
Be Adaptable
and Flexible
The ability to adapt to new situations, embrace

change, and adjust your approach allows you and
your team to navigate challenges, seize
opportunities, and drive innovation.
Stay agile and responsive to changing priorities. Be
prepared to adjust goals and strategies based on
evolving circumstances.
By being flexible and responsive, you can adapt
your plans & effectively navigate shifting priorities.
Retrospection exercise – Think of a significant

incident from the last 6 months, where you
displayed exceptional flexibility and
adaptability.
Write about how you felt while going through
that incident and how you felt after.
Write down your learnings from that incident.
19
Stay up-to-date with
Industry Trends
and Best Practices
Being knowledgeable about the latest

developments in your industry allows you to
make informed decisions, anticipate market
shifts, and drive innovation within your team.
Allocate time for continuous learning and
professional development. Stay informed by
reading industry publications, attending
conferences, and participating in webinars or
workshops.
Block Thursday 8 PM (India time) on your

calendar to attend the Panel Discussion on
Future of Work (details on last slide)
Set up Google Alerts or subscribe to specific
newsletters to receive regular updates on
relevant industry trends and emerging best
practices in the area of your interest/work.
20
Continuously Improve
your own Skills and
Knowledge

Investing in your own skills and knowledge
enhances your capabilities, boosts your credibility,
and enables you to lead by example.
Identify areas for improvement and set personal
development goals.
By continuously improving your own skills and
knowledge, you become a more effective and
impactful manager. Your commitment to self-
improvement inspires and motivates your team
members, creating a culture of continuous learning
and growth in the corporate world.

Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a

manager and identify areas where you can
enhance your skills.
Create a development plan that includes
specific actions and milestones to help you
progress towards your goals.
Take feedback from your Manager on areas
that you can improve.

21
Celebrate Successes
and Milestones
with your Team

Celebrating successes and milestones with
your team is vital for fostering motivation,
morale, and a positive work environment.
Recognizing and acknowledging achievements
not only boosts team spirit but also reinforces
a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
As a manager, lead by example and actively
participate in the celebration of successes.
Express your genuine enthusiasm and
gratitude for the team's achievements.

Schedule a Friday celebration with your team.

I am sure you will figure out a reason for the
celebration.
Make the celebration fun and do not digress to
talk about work except the thing that you are
celebrating.
Encourage team to talk about personal lives
and encourage them to celebrate with family

22
Hold regular Team Meetings
to Discuss Progress
and Challenges
Regular team meetings are crucial for effective

communication, alignment, and collaboration.
Team meetings provide a platform to discuss
progress, address challenges, share updates, and
foster a sense of unity within the team.
Use the meeting as an opportunity to identify
potential obstacles and brainstorm solutions.
Ensure two-way communication in meeting.
Encourage team members to actively participate,
ask questions, and share their ideas or concerns.
This one literally says hold regular Team

Meetings to discuss Progress and Challenges
This should be a weekly or a fortnightly
meeting with fixed agenda and template for
reporting progress and challenges.
As the Manager, offer help where the progress
is not up to the mark and the team is facing
challenges. Appreciate progress made.
23
Create a Culture of
Accountability
Creating a culture of accountability is essential

for achieving organizational goals, fostering trust,
and ensuring that team members take ownership
of their responsibilities.
Demonstrate accountability in your own actions
and decisions. Be transparent about your own
commitments and follow through on your
promises. When team members see you taking
ownership of your responsibilities, they are more
likely to follow suit.
Start with a bit of Education. Educate yourself

on the RACI Matrix and a bit of in-depth
understanding of Accountability.
Schedule a 30-minute session with your team
to educate them about RACI Matrix and how
they should apply it to their projects / tasks.
Get a quick RACI Matrix created for their task
at hand. (Don’t be surprised to find your name
as Manager appearing in the matrix often)
24
Stay Focused
on Achieving
Goals and Objectives

The Goals and Objectives of the primary work
responsibilities and projects are the guiding
pole star at work. They create a sense of
purpose and direction within your team.
Keeping them in sight helps prioritize and take
decisions effectively.
The Goals and Objectives should always be
the focus of conversations around work / tasks
/ projects, especially during your weekly
status review and decision making.

Reflect on the Goals and Objectives of your

team. Get clarity on them by talking to your
manager (if needed)
Think about the Goals and Objectives for each
of your team members, in the context of
specific tasks allocated and projects assigned.
In your interactions with the team, align them
on your and their goals and Objectives

25
Be approachable
and accessible
to team members

Being approachable and accessible is crucial
for fostering open communication, building
trust, and creating a supportive work
environment.
Maintain an open-door policy, both physically
and metaphorically.
Listen actively and attentively when team
members approach you. Encourage them to
express their thoughts openly and provide a
safe space for them to share their opinions.

While this way is about being open and

approachable to team members, I want you to
do some honest introspection.
Does your team find you approachable?
Make a note of incidents and occurrences
where your team members have come
forward and expressed their opinion freely
(especially when it contrasted with your
opinion).

26
Develop and
Communicate
a clear Vision
for the Team
A clear vision for your team is essential for

aligning efforts, motivating team members,
and achieving collective goals. A well-defined
vision provides direction, purpose, and a
shared understanding of the team's objectives.
Start by clarifying the team's mission and
purpose. Define the team's role within the
larger organization and articulate its value and
contribution.
In your next weekly meeting with you team,

you will share with them what according to
you is the vision for the team.
Prepare for the meeting by having a chat with
your manager regarding the vision for the
team or department.
Think about it yourself and create your
version. Unless you have a clear vision, you
can’t communicate the same.
27
Be Empathetic and
Understanding of Team
Members’ Needs
Being empathetic and understanding of your

team members' needs is crucial for building
strong relationships, fostering a supportive work
environment and promoting well-being.
Empathy creates a sense of psychological safety,
trust, and collaboration within the team.
Show genuine interest in their concerns, ideas,
and challenges. Put yourself in their shoes.
Schedule individual meetings with team

members to check in on their well-being.
Listen to their challenges, and offer support or
assistance where needed.
Let them talk. Do not be the dominant person
in the conversation.
28
Provide Necessary
Resources and Support
for your team

As a manager, it is your responsibility to
ensure that your team has the tools,
resources, and support they need to perform
their best.
Ensure that your team members have access
to training and development opportunities
that align with their roles and goals.
By providing necessary resources and support
for your team, you empower them to perform
at their best and achieve their goals.

You will make use of the scheduled meeting

(for Way 27) for this purpose too.
Seek feedback from team members on
existing resources and identify opportunities
for improvement or investment.
Conduct a resource assessment to identify any
gaps or areas where additional support is
needed within your team.

29
Practice
Active
Listening

Active listening involves fully engaging with the
speaker, understanding their perspective, and
responding in a thoughtful and empathetic
manner.
Listen without interrupting or interjecting. Allow
the speaker to express their thoughts fully without
interruption.
Avoid jumping to conclusions or formulating your
response while they are still speaking. Instead,
focus on understanding their message and
consider it from their point of view.

In many ways during the series, I suggested

you have one-to-one meetings with team
members and even team meetings.
Active Listening is crucial during those
meetings. Before every meeting, consciously
remind yourself to listen actively.
Practice this daily at work .. and at home too.

30
Develop a Strong and
Supportive Network of
Colleagues and Mentors
Building a strong network and support group

provides valuable support, guidance, and
opportunities for collaboration and advancement.
You learn from each other.
Engage in conversations, attend networking
events, and participate in cross-functional
initiatives to expand your network. Seek
opportunities to collaborate on projects or share
expertise with colleagues from different
departments or teams.
In our work lives, we often interact with

people and once transaction done, we move
on.
Make it a schedule to reach out to one such
person around you and have an informal chat
with them to know each other better.
Convert an acquaintance into a network
connection. One at a time, every day.
31
Keep a Positive Attitude
and Mindset,
even during
Challenging Times
Maintaining a positive attitude and mindset is

crucial for your resilience, motivation and
effective leadership.
Your attitude sets the tone for the work
environment and influences the morale and
productivity of your entire team … and the
people they interact with.
By keeping a positive attitude and mindset,
especially during challenging times, you create
a supportive and resilient work environment;
that gives confidence to you teams.
Your positive outlook fosters motivation,
enhances team morale, and enables you to
navigate obstacles effectively.
Your attitude will ultimately define the
altitude that you reach in life

In your next team meeting, where you are

discussing progress etc, include one more thing
Ask team members to share an incident from
their life where they were able to hold their
ground and positive attitude in spite of
problems all around.
Be prepared with your own story and keep it for
last unless team demands that you lead by
example
01. Be an excellent communicator
02. Set clear expectations for your team
03. Delegate effectively
04. Build trust with your team members
05. Provide constructive feedback regularly
06. Encourage collaboration and teamwork
07. Lead by example
08. Show appreciation for your team's work
09. Foster a positive work environment
10. Empower your team members to make decisions
11. Be transparent and honest
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12. Develop strong relationships with team members
13. Nurture professional growth and development
14. Recognize and address conflicts quickly
15. Encourage creative problem-solving
16. Be open to feedback from your team members
17. Stay organized and manage your time effectively
18. Be adaptable and flexible
19. Stay up-to-date with industry trends & best practices
20. Continuously improve your own skills and knowledge
21. Celebrate successes and milestones with your team
22. Hold team meetings to discuss progress & challenges
www.CoachHemant.com
23. Create a culture of accountability
24. Stay focused on achieving goals and objectives
25. Be approachable and accessible to team
26. Develop and communicate a clear vision to team
27. Be empathetic and understanding of team members'
needs
28. Provide necessary resources & support for team
29. Practice active listening
30. Develop a strong and supportive network of
colleagues and mentors
31. Keep a positive attitude and mindset, even during
challenging times.
www.CoachHemant.com
Share this document/link with your friends and
colleagues who want to become a Better
Manager
Share this document/link with your team

members so that they can become a Better
Manager (and lighten your workload)
Share your feedback with me – it will help me

refine the document and also enhance the
Manager Coaching program.
Thank You for downloading this small handbook
on becoming a Better Manager
As a token of Thanks, I offer 20-minute Laser

Sharp Speed Coaching (worth INR 2000)
Book the free speed coaching session now at

bit.ly/hkspeedcoach
In this speed coaching session, we will focus on

just one question, one issue, one thing in life
where you are stuck and throw some light on it.
About the author: Success Coach Hemant Jain
Hemant is a Success Coach, a Keynote speaker and a

Leadership Facilitator. Hemant coaches mid and senior
management professionals (and teams) who feel stuck
in glass walls and ceiling. He helps them unlock their
potential and achieve their goals / dreams.
Hemant also coaches individuals for Job Interviews as
well as Managerial skills, and conducts soft-skills
trainings and workshops.
Hemant facilitates leadership vision-mission
conversations and assists in cascading them
Reach out to Hemant to discuss the People
development agenda in your team / organization.
Life Coach
Team Coach
Manager Coach
Interview Coach
Leadership Coach
Soft Skills Trainer
Leadership Facilitator
Bestseller Author
www.CoachHemant.com

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3131 Ways to become a

Ways to become a Better Manager

They need to take ownership of their own learning

They need to start working towards their next

Presenting 31 Ways to Become a Better Manager …

Everyday, look at one or two ways (only) and try to

Maintain a journal with your observations, experiences

Implement the methods and reflect on them every

As a manager, your ability to clearly and

Way 01 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Focus on listening to your team

Today, be conscious of your listening and hold

Setting clear expectations is essential for

Way 02 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Set clear expectations

For every task you assign today, set a clear

(This is a BiG one)

Effective delegation is the most crucial skill for

Way 03 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Delegate something that you have always

Today, pick one task that you haven’t

Building trust is a fundamental aspect of

Way 04 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

This one is tricky. How does one build trust?

Actually. You already did.

Providing constructive feedback is a critical

Way 03 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Schedule Feedback time with team

Schedule a 30-minute meeting with each of

Give them constructive feedback and be open

Collaboration and teamwork are essential for

Way 06 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Delegate a task to 2 or more as a team

Repeat the delegation task with a twist.

Way 07 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Be the Change you wish to see in your team

A habit you want to change in team/member

Communicate clearly the change to the team /

Recognizing and acknowledging the efforts

Express Genuine Appreciation for each team

Appreciate the work done by each team

Creating a positive work environment is crucial

Get your team together and ask them for just

After each member is done, ask for one more.

Way 10 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

Remember the idea generation exercise for

Now, its time for action.

Empower each team member to implement

Way 11 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

This one is tricky.

Is there something that you have knowledge

Strong relationships foster trust, open

Spend 15 minutes with each of the team

Focus on getting to know them personally.

As a manager, it is your responsibility to

Schedule a 30-minute knowledge sharing

You will be sharing your expertise with team.

Ignoring or allowing conflicts to persist can

Way 14 – Focused Action for next 24 hours:

During your regular interactions with the

Conduct a session on basics of conflict

Encouraging creative problem-solving is vital