Secrets to being a successful manager

Secrets to being a successful manager

Secrets to being a successful manager

I started out as a secretary with an Associate's Degree in Secretarial Science one sunny day at a podiatry office in Upstate New York. Never in a million years did I think 21 years later, I'd still be there. There were only five of us back then, and the doctor was very casual, jotting down our raises on a tiny piece of paper he'd slide across the desk to us during our review. I didn't even think about whether I could move up in that office or where I'd be in five years. The economy was good, and I just took it day by day.

In 1993, three years later, I was promoted to assistant office manager. I'd helped with payroll and various other duties my manager gave to me. Two years later, the manager and doctor were at odds, and I was called at home, asking to take over the office manager's position. I readily accepted, although a little fearful of what the position would entail. In 1996, we merged with another podiatrist who had an equally large practice and for that next year it was crazy madness, trying to merge two sets of everything together. At that time, I was only 27, and some of the older ladies had a hard time taking direction from me. I had to earn their respect; not an easy task.

Today I oversee a thriving practice with five locations, four doctors and a staff of 17. We have become a family of sorts, where I often hear people say they enjoy coming to work. I have a personal and business relationship with each of my employees, but am always able to separate the two when it comes to business. I have had many of the girls tell me, "If you ever left, I'd be very upset." When I'm out on vacation, I get texts saying "I miss you!". I am honored at all the Christmas gifts that show up on my desk around the holidays. In order to have reached this level of respect, these are the rules I have always lived by:v Always manage with a smile.v Always ask. If you ask, they will tell. If you don't, you will be in the dark about important issues & they will turn to their co-workers about you & about each other.v Keep it professional. Keep out-of-the-office socialization with any single person to a minimum.v Be prepared when giving evaluations. Nothing on evaluations should be a surprise to your employees. (Refer to my quick& easy professional evaluation forms @ http://www.theofficepress.com )v Try to be one step ahead. Don't procrastinate on important issues you know you have to deal with.v Never let them see you cry. That goes for both your superiors & the employees. Never lose your cool.v Only two things motivate people. Money and time off. Try, even if you don't succeed to get your employees raises or even appreciation gifts no matter how small. They will respect & thank you and continue to work as hard.v Be supportive on personal issues, but don't fall prey to them. Always remember you are running a business.v Don't be penny wise & dollar foolish. Make sure you have enough staff to bring in the maximum amount of money your business can earn. Some owners/managers don't realize they are selling themselves short by having too little staff. If you can pay someone $20,000 a year to bring in an extra $50,000 in revenue, why wouldn't you?v Never, ever burn a bridge. Don't tell your employer off & quit just because you feel justified in doing so. A good reference is priceless.v Delegate. Taking on too much can cause you to do poorly all the way around.v Keep your office door open as much as possible. An open door makes people feel like you have an open mind as well.v Always entertain a suggestion by an employee even if you know it will never work.v Always make an employee feel like whatever you are asking them to do, you are doing too, or will learn as well. Employees like feeling like they are on an "even playing field" with you even though they respect you as their superior.v Never ever gossip with the group. It will cheapen your authority.v Always make sure your superior (s) have your back before you speak to an employee. Make sure you & the "higher ups" are all on the same page.v Understand that loyalty is what you pay a good employee fornot just their work. The cost of advertising, interviewing & training new people far outweighs paying a current employee for their loyalty.v When with supervisors, if unsure of topic, stay silent. Saying nothing is always better than making them think you aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer.v ALWAYS BRING VALUE! In today's economy, companies are cutting back left & right. Don't let it be YOU! You should always be thinking of ways to save your company money! (Refer to my list of 20 awesome ways to save your office money @ http://www.theofficepress.com. )Which brings me to why I am writing this article; One day it just hit me; why not share this information with others ? I love sharing what I do, and how I do it. At 42, I am content with the awesome job I have on just an Associate's Degreebut my biggest accomplishment is having the respect of my staff & creating my website http://www.theofficepress.com where I share forms every manager needs. My products consist of Performance Evaluation Forms, Guide to Creating an Office Policy, 20 Awesome Ways to Save Your Office Money, and coming soon; Employee Write Up 101 & Employee Reference Letters.Wendy L. McCarthy, PresidentThe Office Presshttp://www.articlesbase.com/human-resources-articles/secrets-to-being-a-successful-manager-4573630.html

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