Managing a business is no small feat. The position comes with pressure and power, and demands discipline, excellent people management skills, a strong vision, and balanced goals in order to be successful. Uniting a team of people to work towards a business plan is a challenge, but establishing good habits in management early on can help to foster an ideal management atmosphere, where there is trust and communication, and focus can stay on the work that matters.

 

Here are 12 habits that you can start developing now to become a better business manager.

1. Set the tone.

Possibly the most important habit to establish is the right attitude toward your work and your team. This lays the foundation for how your team will interact with you, and whether you can inspire them to do great work. Make a habit of bringing enthusiasm and positive energy to the room. Your energy will set the tone for everyone.

2. Take the time to plan effectively.

You cannot manage a business and direct it if you don't have a clear idea of where it's going. The more specific a business plan you can put together, the more clearly you can identify what needs to be done to achieve those goals, and the better you can direct your team.

3. Be flexible.

While the plan is important, unforeseen issues will always arise. New information will surface. You need to be able to think on your feet, and not fall into the pitfall of being resistant to change.

4. Embrace transparency.

While it can be hard to direct a team of different personalities, it is far better to establish a policy of clear communication and honesty than it is to sugar-coat or avoid topics. Don't avoid tough conversations, instead address them and start looking for ways to solve the issues. This is need to build respect and trust between you and your team.

5. Keep your word.

If you say you'll do something, follow through on it. There is a great amount of respect to be gained by a person who delivers what they say they will, and it sets a standard for the rest of your team.

6. Always be open to listening to your employees.

Your employees have different expertise and experiences than you do, and can bring something new and fresh to the table. Doing this builds a collaborative environment in the workplace, and inspires employees to develop their thinking on how the business can succeed.

7. Avoid micromanagement.

You have a team of employees and sections that specialize in certain areas. These are the best people to work on the details in each area. You need to trust your team to do their best work and contribute that to the business, so that you can focus on bringing all of those pieces together to reach the overall goal.

8. Develop your focus.

It's easy to get lost in the details, but as a manager, this only delays the project. Get in the habit of mentally checking yourself to ensure that you're staying on track, focused on the big picture and spending your time on the priorities.

9. Make decisions and be accountable.

Anytime you need to make a decision, you are taking a risk. If you make the wrong decision, it can have unwanted consequences. However, the work can never move forward unless a leader takes accountability and makes an executive decision, so that the rest of the team can follow that lead. Don't put off or shy away from this. It is one of the key habits for a successful business manager to develop.

10. Appreciate your employees.

Always remember to treat your team like people, and valued ones at that. When people feel like they matter and can make a difference, they make an effort to contribute and do so. Build the habit of considering your employees to be part of your team, and not just workers underneath you.

11. Develop your ability to hire people.

Half the battle is hiring the right fits for a business. If you have the right people, you instantly have a team you can respect, equipped with the skills and knowledge you need and the attitude you want. Being able to identify this in a job interview is a key skill to develop.

12. Build your technical skills.

If you want to communicate effectively in your industry, learn more about what you do and build your understanding of how your business works, what each employee does and how you can help them to do their job better.

 

Are You One of The Best? Build Your Career in Business Management!

Growing your career as a business manager can be a deeply rewarding path. Get started today by looking into ECPI University's Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and taking the next step down the path toward business leadership! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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