Being a manager is not an easy task. You have to be kind but firm, care but not care too much, and be able to effectively resolve conflicts as they arise. Not everyone is suited to management, and that is okay. But how do we become effective managers when we have difficult people working under us?
There are six types of managers, each with its own positives and negatives. First, you must figure out which management style you fall under:
1. The Judge
The judge holds all employees to a specific standard, but often does not communicate this standard. The judge often uses punishment and/or threats as the primary forms of motivation.
2. The Pal
The Pal is a people-pleaser. They try to befriend all of their employees, but have a difficult time communicating when things are not going well.
3. The Micro-Manager
The Micro-Manager often feels that they could just do the task better themselves. They often struggle with delegating, and letting go of control.
4. The Absentee
The Absentee manager is very hands off. They are not present for the process, but will be there to see and evaluate the final result. They often avoid conflict, and prefer to let things work themselves out.
5. The Cheerleader
The Cheerleader often succeeds when things are going well, but falls short when things are not going so well. They struggle with providing constructive or negative criticism.
6. The Educator
The Educator is hands-on, but not to the degree of the Micro-Manager. They are able to provide constructive criticism or positive feedback when required. They emphasize growth within their employees, and want them to succeed.
Tips and Tricks
Managing people can be difficult, but managing difficult people can be even harder. Here are a few things to remember when managing new or difficult people: Deal with conflict head on, don’t try to brush it off or avoid it. Try to see things from other people’s perspectives. Ask for help before you end up in over your head. Learn how to set SMART goals. If you can’t figure it out on your own, there are professionals (like us) to help guide you. You are still strong and valuable if you ask for help.
References:
Leahy, R. L. (2017, May 22). Management Styles. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-files/201705/management-styles
Lipman, V. (2014, June 24). How to Manage People Who Are Hard to Manage. Retrieved from
Nemko, M. (2017, May 18). Managing People. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-do-life/201705/managing-people
