How to Not Fail at Being a Manager

Many people aspire to be managers; however, no one aspires to fail at management. By following these simple steps, some from Rising Heart Consulting, an individual will not only succeed, but also excel as a manager.

1. Get along with others. A manager must have excellent interpersonal skills; therefore, he or she should be able to listen to subordinates and be able to offer solutions as well as advice. Managers who fail are horrible at accepting criticism and view criticism as a threat, rather than an opportunity.

2. Be open to change. It is imperative that managers are open to change. Managers, who stick to their old methods, even if they no longer work, are destined to fail. With corporations constantly changing and restructuring, managers must be more adaptable than ever before.

3. Be a team player.  Managers should put the needs of the organization before their own needs. Unfortunately, managers fail because they put themselves first, caring more about advancement and their own placement within the organization, rather than the organization itself.

4. Don’t get frozen with fear. A good manager needs to be proactive and not be afraid to take chances. Managers who fear putting their ideas out there will ultimately fail — being a hard worker is not enough, because managers have to prove they have the conviction to stand behind their ideas.

5. Be able to handle setbacks. A good manager must be comfortable with handling failure. A successful manager acknowledges his failure and works on trying to correct it, rather than concealing it or shifting the blame.

6. Earn a masters degree in management. A masters degree in management gives a manager a leading edge, because the degree focuses on in-depth issues regarding business and management.

Forbes magazine offers suggestions regarding how to be successful in management.

• Get to know your employees. Don’t overstep boundaries; however, realize that employees like to know that you care about them on some level, and are happy when you take the time to congratulate them on their personal milestones, such as birthdays and anniversaries.
• Be clear regarding what you want your employees to accomplish. No one likes a guessing game. While most employees understand that change is sometimes inevitable, they also do not like to feel that they are constantly trying to hit a moving target either.
• Don’t micromanage employees.
• Listen to employees, because they may have good ideas. You will also be able to see who shines and who needs encouragement. Employees will be grateful that their opinions are valued.
• Don’t ignore any problems or issues, no matter how minute they may appear. Solve little problems before they become big problems.

How Can One Effectively Prepare to Be a Manager?

One way to prepare to be a successful manager is to earn a masters degree in management, because such a degree would provide a well-rounded approach to management, as well as provide the student with an in-depth view of how companies operate in today’s competitive business environment. Masters degree programs are typically facilitated by individuals who have earned masters or doctorate degrees, and who have extensive experiences in their fields of expertise.

However, business professionals are already pressed for time and might find it challenging to add one more activity to an already full schedule. Many working professionals opt for online degrees, which offer them flexibility to study at their own convenience, as well as not having to carve out time in order to attend ground courses. By having this flexibility, more working adults can earn a masters degree in management; therefore, more professionals are afforded the opportunity to be more successful and effective managers.