The job of being the manager is not always a walk in the park. When you are lower down the pecking order, you are responsible for just your work. However, as you progress you begin to become responsible for more and more people’s work. 

Not all of your team are going to be easy to work with and you need to have strategies in place to ensure you are able to manage them effectively. 

Here are eight top tips for managing your team in the most effective manner. 

1. Be Clear About Your Expectations  From The Outset

One of the most important things about being a manager is setting your expectations straight from the outset. If you expect a certain amount of productivity, then let your team know. If you require certain standards from your team or want to carry out employer drug testing, then you should let your team know when they start working for you. 

2. Maintain Good Communication

Employees have the right to be kept in the loop about everything that is going on in their workplace. It is essential that you communicate well with your team and always inform them about what is going on within the company. Communication is a two-way street and you should always encourage feedback from your team. You should make sure that your team can always come to you with questions if they need to. 

3. Acknowledge Good Work

You should avoid being one of those bosses that only give negative feedback. Criticism may be necessary at times, but you should be praising your team more often. This will keep your team motivated and show them the expected standards at which they should be working. 

4. Build Positive Relationships

Get to know your team as individuals, not just on a professional level- but on a personal level too. When you put in the effort with your team, you’ll be able to build a positive rapport which will be better when it comes to getting the job done. 

5. Be Decisive 

A great leader needs to be able to make important decisions and stick by them. It is vital that you make the decisions that you feel are best for the business. 

6. Delegate Jobs To The Right People

Spend time assessing your team to see where their strengths are. People tend to perform better when they are working on tasks that use all of their best skills. 

7. Spot Conflict Early And Manage It 

Conflict in the workplace can be detrimental to productivity and should never be ignored. Don’t turn a blind eye as this could lead to a negative atmosphere- which in turn could have implications for the whole team. When an issue arises, nip it in the bud quickly. 

8. Lead By Example

People respect managers that work by the standards that they expect of others.  Make sure that you are constantly starving to set the best possible example to your team.