How To Be A Better Manager

By F. John Reh

With 'flatter' organizations and self-directed teams becoming common; with personal computers and networks making information available to more people more quickly; the raw number of managers needed is decreasing. However, the need for good managers, people who can manage themselves and others in a high stress environment, is increasing.

Here are some things that make you a better manager(It is as much trainable skill as it is inherent ability; as much science as art.):

As a person:
You have confidence in yourself and your abilities. You are happy with who you are, but you are still learning and getting better.
You are something of an extrovert. You don't have to be the life of the party, but you can't be a wallflower. Management is a people skill - it's not the job for someone who doesn't enjoy people.
You are honest and straight forward. Your success depends heavily on the trust of others.
You are an includer not an excluder. You bring others into what you do. You don't exclude other because they lack certain attributes.
You have a 'presence'. Managers must lead. Effective leaders have a quality about them that makes people notice when they enter a room.

On the job:
You are consistent, but not rigid; dependable, but can change your mind. You make decisions, but easily accept input from others.
You are a little bit crazy. You think out-of-the box. You try new things and if they fail, you admit the mistake, but don't apologize for having tried.
You are not afraid to "do the math". You make plans and schedules and work toward them.
You are nimble and can change plans quickly, but you are not flighty.
You see information as a tool to be used, not as power to be hoarded.

Take a look at yourself against this list. Find the places where you can improve and then get going. And, if you need help, remember that's what this site is all about - Helping new managers get started and experienced managers get better.