Management - Survive to Succeed

Experience is key to leadership. Better put: Good Experience is key to leadership ability. It's Man-Age-ment. It takes time - and a few errors - for an effective manager to 'season' as it were, into a good leader. Certain leadership traits are needed to be an effective manager. Some people have natural "people skills" while others have to work at it. What are leadership traits and how do you know if you have them? Most often poor managers are simply under-trained or improperly suited for the job description. It's not always the manager's fault for having problems.

Anyone in a position of leadership, whether it be manager of a single retail store, a shift manager at a manufacturing plant, a shop foreman, or what have you, has to posses certain abilities to work with people effectively. There are traits that can be learned that are necessary in a supervisory position.

I don't know of anyplace better than the United States Marine Corps to learn about leadership and understanding the traits and principles of effective management. The Marine Corps has the top 'management' training in the world. It was called "Leadership School" back in my day and I finished second in my class missing first place by one point. It was extremely competitive and needless to say, I learned more about what I did not have than what I did have.

Those days are long gone but since then I have been in supervisory positions in nearly every job in my life including store manager, general manager for a multi-shop operation, plant department manager, owner/operator of retail stores and business manager for an engineering outfit to name but a few. In those 30 plus years I had my ups and downs but I would over achieve on national levels more often than not. I always pulled from those days in the Marine Corps for my inner will and the "get over the top" attitude.

New to management?

Remember this: If you seem nervous or apprehensive in any way with your new responsibilities, no one will know the better. When this happens to me I can make myself calm down by realizing that most people see this kind of nervousness as enthusiasm. Preparation is the key to confidence. When you prepare for tasks, no matter what the tasks are, your confidence improves dramatically. Preparing for possible objections gives authority to your decisions. People soon figure out that you have thought it out and prepared for the outcome and on top of that you will find that your decisions will not be challenged nearly as often. This is more important as a new manager than you may think.

Do what successful people do.

If you want to be successful you must do what successful people do.

There are men and women managers and owners from my past that I often think of when difficult situations arise. I will ask myself even today, 'I wonder how John would handle this deal' and the truth is I've done this type of 'reverse mentoring' all my adult life. Also, if the opportunity presents itself you should try to get the advice of senior managers. It not only helps you learn how to make good decisions but it shows your ability and willingness to learn.

Strong leadership is a combination of good reputation and good attitude.

You don't need to join the United States Marine Corps to become a good manager. But what you will need to do is search out your weaknesses as early on as possible. The way you do that is recognize that you are inexperienced and be willing to admit errors - graciously. Find managers with the right stuff that have proven their 'metal' and seek advice. Be observant and mindful of how really good managers work.

Want to know what makes a good leader? Here are a few key points utilized by the worlds best leaders.

Leadership Principles.

Each one of these should be used in your daily life as a manager and if you are aspiring to be a manager you should practice these principles whenever possible.

Know yourself and seek self-improvement.

Be technically and tactically proficient.

Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.

Make sound and timely decisions.

Set the example.

Know your employees and look out for their welfare.

Keep your employees informed.

Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.

Train your employees as a team.

Employ your employees / unit in accordance with its capabilities.

Leadership Traits.

Dependability

- The certainty of proper performance of duty.

Bearing

- Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal conduct at all times.

Courage

- The mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man/woman to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.

Decisiveness

- Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.

Endurance

- The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.

Enthusiasm

- The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.

Initiative

- Taking action in the absence of orders.

Integrity (can't emphasize this one enough)

- Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.

Judgment

- The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.

Justice

- Giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question. The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.

Knowledge

- Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one's information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your employees.

Tact

- The ability to deal with others without creating offense.

Unselfishness

- Avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.

Loyalty

- The quality of faithfulness to country, the company, to one's seniors, subordinates and peers.

And finally, remember that pressure fades with confidence, confidence comes with preparation and preparation is earned through diligence and effort. So if you want to kill pressure be as prepared as possible.

Mason Thompson, Owner

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Management - Survive to Succeed