Introduction
Managing multiple projects, making sure the team is on the same page, communicating with clients, and ensuring no missed deadlines, a project manager’s job is not easy. The expectations of a manager are high, as they need to balance leadership, strategy, and communication skills to keep everything running smoothly.
A manager needs to keep his head cool, focus strong, and minimize distractions while being open and considerate towards his team. A good manager can bind a team together and thus ensure the successful execution of projects. The absence of one can jeopardize the future of a team and cause disharmony thereby derailing projects.
A recent study by Gallup shows that the most common reason that leads people to leave their jobs is the absence of a supportive and understanding manager.
People often quit their jobs when they don’t have a good working rapport with their manager, no matter how many privileges the job gives. To maintain a healthy team spirit, a manager should address the qualms of the members and constantly push them to do better.
Understanding both parties’ expectations will help you figure out how to become a better leader and give your employees room to grow and thrive. The expectations of a manager and what employees expect from their managers are discussed in this article.
Why is it important to set manager expectations?
Setting clear manager expectations is important to provide a clear understanding of what is expected in terms of performance, behavior, and leadership. Clarity of expectations ensures that managers know their roles and responsibilities that align with organizational goals and values.
If expectations are not well-defined, it can lead to confusion, inefficiencies, conflicts, and potential failures to meet the goals of the project or organization. By communicating expectations clearly, management can create an environment where managers can thrive and meet the expectations of their team and organization.
Every team member and stakeholders expect a manager to communicate clearly, engage with the team, pass accurate information, and report timely to the management. So. by establishing clear expectations a manager can understand his role better and focus on the goals
What are the expectations from a good manager?
We’ve discussed why it’s important to have managerial expectations and how they can turn things around in a team. From team expectations to performance expectations, a manager has to be held accountable for all of them. Now let us dive into the expectations the team and organization have out of a good manager.
1. Transparency
Transparency in the workplace is essential for fostering a positive corporate culture and ensuring employee loyalty and engagement. Whether you work for a major organization or are nurturing a tiny start-up, this effective leadership strategy could assist your firm in a variety of ways.
Rather than being the sole person responsible for promoting transparency, it would be better if a manager empowers the entire team to uphold the project’s responsibility.
You can win the trust of those you supervise by following the same principles you’ve established for your team and applying them to yourself and your performance. Fostering a culture of transparency also allows for the recognition of accomplishments as well as the correction of errors or mishaps.
2. Strong team culture
Mentorship takes precedence over management in a great team culture. To develop a team’s culture, cultivating leadership will indeed be critical.
A manager must communicate clearly with team members for everyone to be on the same page and for the team to be completely transparent. A good project manager must develop schedules that are flexible enough for everyone to complete their task effectively, but not too flexible that they become unmanageable.
Finding a group of individuals focused on a collective endeavor greater than themselves is a key aspect of creating a successful team. To develop a strong team, you must give them a concrete vision and a compelling purpose.
3. Appreciation and recognition
A survey by SHRM Globoforce shows that organizations that have recognition programs in place for their employees experience 28.6% lower frustration levels than those without.
Recognizing employees is a crucial component of a manager’s job. Take the time to appreciate the work they accomplish and how they contribute to the team. The people you manage will carry out the tasks you set for them and keep your department running smoothly. Many employees have grown accustomed to receiving praise for their efforts, but even those who do not expect it will value real praise.
It isn’t just about success and achieving goals that should be celebrated. A strategic recognition program can help you effortlessly recognize micro-moments along the way, such as great work, taking on new responsibilities, or going above and beyond for your team.
4. Accountability
Accountability enhances work relationships, increases job satisfaction, and allows teams to collaborate more efficiently. Workplace accountability is critical to the quality of the output that employees produce. It’s also crucial for fostering strong and healthy working connections.
Workplace accountability helps ensure every team member pulls their weight without relying on others to get the work done for them. If management doesn’t hold employees accountable for their actions, it creates an unfair working environment for employees with the motivation to complete projects on their own.
Holding each other accountable at work helps to accelerate performance, makes team members consistent, promotes satisfaction, establishes trust, and promotes a good work culture.
5. Clear communication
Communication is one of the most pressing issues in the workplace. Ineffective or absent communication can have serious consequences for a project’s outcome and the organization as a whole. A crucial element in making a cake is flour, and good communication is a key factor in business.
Workplace communication is essential for any project or endeavor, whether you are working alone or in a group. Across a broad array of industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major changes in work and workplace communication. More companies are managing the process of effectively moving from in-person to virtual operations.
Due to the pandemic, working from home has become the chosen mode of working for businesses across the globe. The way people communicate and the role of workplace communication is indeed being redefined as a result of this rapid digital transition.
How to meet manager expectations?
A manager is in charge of the team and is responsible for the people who work for them. Expectations are often placed on you as the team leader and the employees who report to you as a manager.
1. Give constructive feedback
It’s critical to provide frequent and high-quality feedback to your employees. This will benefit both parties because your team will feel more aligned, productive, and effective. As a manager, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your team understands their responsibilities and that each team member feels comfortable approaching you for feedback.
2. Effective time management
When you are a manager, time management is vital because it allows you to organize your workday so that you may grow your business while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You’ll need to be more organized than ever before, which involves:
- Continuous planning.
- Blocking time in your calendar.
- Setting reasonable objectives for yourself, given the time limits you now face.
3. Motivate your team
When your employees are motivated, they are more engaged in their work, which has a good impact on the team’s output. When you’re a manager, you have a stake in the quality of your team’s work, but you also have a responsibility to help them be happier at work.
Motivating your employees is an essential part of being a good manager and completing your responsibilities. Each of your employees has their own set of abilities, interests, and talents, so finding these and encouraging them to use them to benefit the company and the team will be a fantastic source of inspiration.
4. Set achievable goals
Teamwork in the workplace is based on everyone having the same goals and expectations. Working for a similar purpose can bring people together, engage them in the task at hand, and energize the process. When it comes to things like remote working, this is especially vital.
Having too much pressure to meet expectations, on the other hand, might have the opposite impact, leaving employees exhausted and frustrated. As a result, having attainable goals that the entire team can work towards is critical. Similarly, each member should be responsible for creating their personal goals, leading to accountability, growth, and professional advancement.
5. Communicate effectively
A successful team is built on open and honest communication. This is true whether we’re meeting in person or online because it helps us develop the interpersonal skills needed for efficient teamwork. Everyone is kept informed and in the loop by sharing ideas, points of view, information, and expertise.
For managers and leaders, this includes conveying clearly what needs to be done, what recent successes have been achieved, and which areas require additional emphasis and attention. Giving and receiving feedback, discussing ideas, and listening to one another are all part of communication.
6. Master the art of delegation
Any effective manager or team leader must know which jobs they can handle themselves and delegate to their subordinates. It’s crucial to leave your ego at the door and accept that there aren’t any great managers who can do it all, no matter how big or small the task at hand is.
To evaluate which employees are best suited for the duties at hand, consider your team’s talents and most prominent strengths. Of course, some tasks will remain on your to-do list, but anything that falls outside of your scope should be delegated and given to your team.
Summing up
It’s difficult being a manager. There always seem to be a million things to think about, a million things to get done, and a million methods to manage people. As a manager, you will come across people who have very different perspectives on work and life than you do. Understanding the distinctions among individuals around you can assist you in creating a more diverse and influential team.
Have the confidence to know that with a little time, trial, and error, you’ll get to where you need to be.
Good Luck!
