The last few management articles I have written were directed at managers. This week I have my top 3 tips for the non-managerial staff members out there. These tips should give you insight that can help your manager out and in turn result in a positive working experience for you.
A Manager Knows
Remember this: A manager knows who turns up late, and who is lazy, who works hard to escape their emotional distress, who is a motivator, who is working hard and who isn’t.
I once worked with someone who would tell me every day everything they had done at work. I used to sit there thinking – yes that is your job, why are you telling me this? Don’t boast to your manager about your workload unless you have gone above and beyond your job description.
If you are the one who goes to the manager to complain about other staff members work and to let your manager know how very hard you work comparatively, then you are the one your manager is keeping an eye on. The time you spend looking at and complaining about what everyone else is doing (or not doing) is time you are not getting on with your own work – why advertise the fact?
Solution: Help your manager by encouraging those around you in a way that motivates them. Be the motivator in your team and your manager will know it. They will thank you for helping rather than having to endure you complaining every day which they don’t have time for.
Provide Solutions
Remember this: A manager will be grateful if you bring them solutions not problems.
It is easy when a problem emerges to take it straight to your manager. ‘I can’t be expected to do this….’ ‘There isn’t enough time….’ ‘No I can’t’. These common statements we hear from staff do not help nor impress.
Solution: Tell your manager what changes can be made so the problem doesn’t keep occurring. ‘I’ve noticed X keeps happening, and I thought it would be a good solution if we perhaps did XYZ to make things easier…’ This is one part of the service the manager will now not need to review, it shows you have initiative and some managerial qualities and this impresses your manager and also improves your working environment by getting rid of the problems.
Give your manager time to do their work
Remember this: You don’t need to understand your manager’s role completely, but no matter how good or bad you perceive your manager to be, rest assured they are busier, more stressed and hold more responsibility than you realise. Most managers, even if you do see outward signs of pressure upon them, keep the majority of their stresses and responsibilities from you.
Every piece of work that a member of your department does ultimately rests in the hands of your manager. They have to be the one accountable for errors, mistakes, complaints. Everything that you do as a worker directly affects your manager. It either makes their day easier or harder – and this is the very simple piece of information you must remember in order to learn how to get what you want from your manager.
Solution: In the simplest of terms, if you use your time to ensure that your managers’ workload is not increased by the somewhat simple yet time consuming complications of the working day – then you can help your manager to achieve their targets. Work hard, work accurately and work well. Help those around you and be encouraging of good practice.
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A manager in a busy cardiac department has a job that is varied and unpredictable. There is always something that they have to be concentrating on, a pressure from above, or a target they have to achieve. If you can work in a way that supports your manager with some of the more simple tasks then you help them to focus on the part of their job that is more concentrated on your team and the work you do, allowing them to be a better manager to you. As a manager my favourite words to hear are ‘Is there anything I can help you out with?’ I am sure your manager will not mind hearing it once in a while either.
