The best management practices are not a secret. Some of the best practices for managing teams are used across the board by successful managers, regardless of the industry they’re in. These managers create productive workplaces where people are motivated to do well. Businesses that implement management best practices have employees who are engaged, motivated, and invested in the company’s vision.
In this article, we’ll answer the question: “What are best management practices?” Then, we’ll list ten of the best management practices and how to implement them. Let’s dive in!
What Are Best Management Practices?
What are best management practices? To give a definition, these are a set of practices that have proven to be successful over time. Some practices are specific to the type of organization or a department within that organization. However, some of the most effective methods for managing teams work across organizations and industries. There are certain things all good leaders do, no matter what type of team they’re leading.
In short, best management practices help managers motivate employees to produce results and achieve company goals.
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Best Management Practices Examples
Best management practices help managers train people who can add lasting value to their organization. By keeping the company’s vision in mind, good managers can put together a team of people who can work together toward that vision. They know how to train, communicate with, and motivate others to work toward shared goals.
Below are ten best management practices examples.
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Communicate Well
Make sure to communicate in a way that clearly outlines your expectations for your employees. It should not be up to them to read your mind on a project. Allow them to ask clarifying questions, and field those questions with patience.
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Engage Workers
Present your company’s vision in a way that compels employees to get on board. Everyone wants to feel like they’re serving something bigger than themselves. Inspire your team to go after the same vision. Engaged employees solve problems, come up with new ideas, and take initiative because they’re passionate about their jobs.
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Reward Effort
A study from OC Tanner research found that 79% of employees who left jobs cited “lack of appreciation” as the reason they left. Put incentives in place for employees to work toward. When they achieve their goals, show them you value and appreciate their efforts.
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Delegate Tasks
Managers don’t have time to do everything. Delegating saves time and enables your team to develop their skills. When delegating, make sure to clearly outline who is responsible for what, what needs to be done by when, and any special instructions on how it should be done – and don’t micro-manage!
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Listen Actively and Ask Questions
Invite employees to share their perspectives or concerns and work to understand them. Employees who feel heard and understood are more satisfied and experience less stress at work.
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Make Data-Driven Decisions
Use quantitative data to inform your decisions. Google did this by collecting data from employee surveys and creating a list of behaviors good managers had in common. They used this list to reshape their management training and are now known for having some of the best managers in the world.
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Clarify Company Vision
Shared values, vision, and strategic goals help businesses grow and foster loyalty from employees. Make sure your employees are aligned on these things: why your company exists, how people who represent your company act, what your company does, how you plan to succeed, what takes priority right now, and who does what. Employees with shared values make good team members.
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Be Consistent
One of your jobs as a manager is to bring stability to the workplace. Your expectations should be consistent, not changing from one day to the next. This reduces employee stress and confusion.
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Hold Regular Meetings
Regular meetings enable you to strategize, plan for the future, resolve issues that come up, and review progress with goals. They also help maintain alignment with company vision.
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Lead by Example
One of the fastest ways to lose the respect of your employees is to ask them to do things you yourself aren’t doing. As a manager, you model what kind of behavior is desirable in the workplace.
Conclusion
Best management practices are critical for creating a workplace that attracts and retains talented, hard-working employees. The best managers care about results and the well-being of their employees. We trust you'll benefit from the best management practices examples we shared. If your organization needs manager training, reach out today to see how we can help.
Additional Reading:
- Types of Leadership: Position vs Influence
- Communication Skills
- Top Corporate Training Topics
- Pyramid Principle Applied