6 Leadership Lessons to Become a Better Manager

6 Leadership Lessons to Become a Better Manager

Vartika Kashyap 30/11/2018 5

For all those who are reading my article for the first time, here’s my quick introduction - My name is Vartika Kashyap. I am a marketing manager at ProofHub for more than 6 years. I have been featured on LinkedIn Top Voices (India) from last three years in a row.

Today’s write-up is a special one and is quite close to my heart. A few days ago, I completed 6 years with ProofHub. When I look back at it, the journey hits me with a bittersweet nostalgia. Year after year, I was learning (and unlearning) many things - some big while others small but impactful.

I feel compelled to share a few lessons I learned the hard way at ProofHub all these years. I hope you find them helpful:

Never Take Loyal Employees for Granted

Your team members are your biggest asset, it all depends on how you treat them. If they are willing to take a bullet for you, then be prepared to cover up for them when required.

It’s hard to get loyal employees in the era when job-hopping is on the rise. If you’ve got them, save them - they are worth more than their weight in gold. 

Fight For Your Team

One for all and all for one - that’s how teams work. If your team members don’t think twice before working all-night long on that important campaign, make sure they have your support when they need something from your end as well.

Observe if something is bothering your team or not. Go an extra mile to make sure they get to work in the best work environment and are given the best opportunities to grow.

Looking for a way to manage projects easier and faster? Try ProofHub.

Sometimes, it means taking a stand for them and speaking up against unjustified pay freezes, layoffs, and furloughs. If it’s something good like bonuses or pay raises, fight to get them a bigger slice of the pie. When you start taking care of them genuinely, they automatically start caring for your business.

Communicate as Clearly as Possible

If there’s something that has made me a better professional is realizing the importance of communication in the workplace. Believe it or not, effective communication is one of the strongest pillars of building a kickass team.

Whether it’s about their job responsibilities, goals, objectives, policies and regulations, communicate things as clearly as possible. As a manager, it’s your duty to give them timely feedback. Make sure to provide feedback in a professional and constructive manner.

Praise in Public and Criticize in Private

You are a good team leader when you know how to acknowledge a good performance and help those struggling to deliver their best. Whenever a team member nails a task, give him a round of applause in front of others. Let them know that their work matters.

If you observe a decline in one of your team member’s performance, conduct a face-to-face meeting rather than criticizing him in public. Ask him if you can do something to make things easier and favorable for him. 

You Can Learn from Your Juniors as well

I have been lucky to work with some amazing bright folks at ProofHub. What I have learned from all these years is to be open to learn from younger and less experienced colleagues. Not only their zeal is palpable but their perspective and experiences can help you become a better leader.

Junior team members can also be good teachers if you are willing to put your ego aside. You can build new skills with their help and also build positive relationships where each one is learning from one another.

Take Time to Develop Employees and their Careers

A good leader creates more leaders, not followers. As much as it’s your duty to bring more business, it’s also important that you mentor employees to reach their full potential. Equip them with the required training and work management tools to make them smarter and more efficient with their time and efforts.

Encourage them to take up difficult roles and jobs that help them advance in their career. You aren’t just managing your team members but also managing their careers in a big way. As a leader, it’s your job to build employees and their careers.

What’s your Takeaway ?

I hope for all those who are about to enter into the world of management find this piece helpful. I would love to know what would my fellow managers add to this, let me know if you agree or disagree in the comments section.

Share this article

Leave your comments

Post comment as a guest

0
terms and condition.
  • Olivia Holbrook

    It seems like you are enjoying what you are doing, that's awesome.

  • Sarah Wild

    You are such a great leader

  • Nicole Tanner

    Truly admire your sincerity

  • Mark Bainbridge

    Listen to your employees, show them that you care, provide them all the necessary tools and they will never leave you.

  • Amelia Richards

    If only my manager was like you....

Share this article

Vartika Kashyap

Digital Expert

Vartika is the Chief Marketing Officer at ProofHub. She has 6 Years experience in online digital marketing, brand optimization and SEO along with social media marketing and email marketing strategies. Vartika holds an MBA in Finance (Banking) & Marketing from the IBS Hyderabad.  

   
Save
Cookies user prefences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Read more
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline