Stepping up to a management role?

As an employee, you need to envisage bigger and better roles in our workplace so that when it comes, you're not confused about what the next step should be. There comes a time when our hard work pays off, and we're rewarded with a managerial role. Or maybe you're stepping into management in your new workplace, a role you are not used to from your many years of working under someone.

A change of role means a change of responsibilities, and you need to find out what your responsibilities are. Get clear on the tasks that are expected from you. You should not be concerned only about your duties; you should also be aware of what to expect from those reporting to you.

You have to get used to being in management. Although things may pick up slowly after you get into management. It may take time to get used to directing people you once worked alongside. But you need to understand the new status quo and get used to it. You're high up now; you must command respect and maintain the right personality at all times.

Make your team feel at home. The management role means that people would be reporting to you and how welcomed you make them feel would determine how often they come to you with issues bothering them. If you are welcoming, you can be sure that your subordinates would be supportive and respectful.

Finally, communicate effectively with your team members as well as the higher hierarchy. Adopt a method of communication that works and is convenient for everybody. This keeps you on top of the situation every time.

Life is Short

If the past two years of a pandemic has taught us anything, it is that life is too short.  It’s cliché, and it does not hold a lot of credence until it hits home.  For me, this has just hit home. Before working with THR Partners, I was teacher.  Saturday, we celebrated the life of my dear friend who was a former co-worker.  Now understand that for a teacher, retirement is the Promised Land.  We dream of it. I made it to the Promised Land.  My forty-two-year-old friend did not.  She was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and died four months later.  I keep thinking that she never made it to her professional goal of retiring and beginning a second career.   

            For a week I have wondered how many other people never make it to their professional goal.  Are you one of them?  Are you where you want to be?  Is there another company, position, or career you want?  Are you living out your dream?  If you are not, know that it will not just miraculously happen. What are YOU doing to get there?  Working as a project manager for a recruiting company, I spend hours each day trying to find a candidate for open jobs.  Here are my very simple suggestions to help move you in the right direction.  

1.      Update your resume. Have it ready at a moment’s notice.  If you struggle, find help via free online resume generators, or hire a technical/business writer.  Many of the resumes I read have not been updated for several years, do not list current information, and sometimes do not provide pertinent information at all.  I have seen resumes with no phone numbers and no emails.  I have even found one with a person’s initials, but no name.  It is impossible to be found for your dream job if you can not be contacted.   Also, do not be afraid to add your interests, community service, or special skills.  These are very telling when someone is searching for the right employee.   

2.      Make sure your resume has been put out into the universe, so to speak.  You must put it in a job search site such as Monster, ZipRecruiter, CareerBuilder, etc.  If your resume is not listed in a search site, no one knows you exist, much less can inform you of jobs that may be exactly what you want.   

3.      Get an account on LinkedIn.  The site states, “Welcome to LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network with 774+ million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”  Employers and recruiters visit LinkedIn every single day.  If you are not professionally advertising yourself on it, just know that 774 million others are, and they are more visible to get a position than those who are not. 

4.      Contact THR Partners.  Every day the company is dedicated to matching the right people with the right jobs.  It is what we do.  Our goal is “Propelling Professionals to Their IDEAL Position or Next Step on Their Career Ladder.”  

Today begin pursing the IDEAL position you want.  Yes, we are still fighting a pandemic, but what better time to take charge of your career?  If not now, when?  People are not only living, but also dying never fulfilling what they consider to be their career goal. There is no time to wait.  Life is too short.   

By Beth Brown, THR Partners, Staff Writer

What Your Employees Want From the Work Environment

A business environment is a massively important one. Newer ways of making the environment better should not be neglected by those in management. This is important since employees may not talk about it, but they are affected directly by the things around them. Generally, proving the essential equipment and materials for work is key. However, there are other values that employers must exhibit to keep the work environment positive and well-positioned for better productivity.

Trust: A positive work environment is built on trust. Trust is the value on top, which other values rest. When there is mutual trust between employers and employees, the entire business procedure can be carried out smoothly. Trust can be earned by doing the things you are supposed to do and can be shown by giving others independence to do their job.

Appreciation: This is one of the simplest. It ranges from a simple “thank you” to giving incentives or granting a pay raise. Appreciation goes a long way in telling people that you value their work and want them to continue.

Respect: Respect exists on different levels and can be shown in different ways. Respecting your employees' rights breeds a respectful environment in the workplace. This, in turn, fills the air with an air of positivity, and everyone will be happy with their work.

Feedback: Feedbacks are extremely important. When someone does well, giving feedback keeps them informed on what they should keep up. If someone is performing lesser than expectation, it is vital to carefully point their attention to it so that they can fasten their seat belt.

Mentoring: It is important, as well as to mentor your workers. This will make them perform better on a short and long-term basis.

Techniques for Setting Goals for Employees

Setting goals in any business is essential for business growth and productivity. Employers can help their employees set better goals that are in line with the company's objectives and will increase business performance. Organizations, no matter how big or small, would have different levels of employees. Setting goals that will help them ensure that every member of the organization is on the same page.

In order for your goals to be effective, you must ensure that they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. A goal that has all these features would be easily related to by employees, thereby leading to better productivity.

Make sure the goals are in line with the company’s objectives. You do not want to set a goal that hinders operation within the organization. The system of management should be reflected in any goal that you, as an employer, sets for your employees.

Collaborate with employees on goals to set and how to achieve them. It is important to consider the needs of your workers when setting goals. Goals should not be about increasing income alone; it should consist of everything that allows employees to work effectively to encourage them to do better. However, differentiate between all goals and place them on a scale of preference is need be. This ensures that the most important goals are not neglected at the expense of the lesser important ones.

Recognize when goals are met. As much as it is important to set goals, it is equally imperative to recognize when some or all the goals are met. This allows the employee to know the task that is complete and the ones they should continue working on. It helps prevent redundancy of operations and promotes productivity.

How to be an Effective Team Member

It is very likely that you are not the only one working in an organization. There are coworkers who you have to work with to ensure the company’s growth. Occasionally, you may even be a member of a smaller team required to carry out a specific task within or outside the organization. You are required to contribute your quota for the tasks' success, but how do you achieve this?

The essence of any team is collaboration for a goal or goals. To be an effective team member, you need to collaborate with the other team members by contributing everything you can and avoiding acts that jeopardize others' contributions.

Communication within a team is very important. It brings everybody on the same page and keeps them updated. When you have ideas that could foster the team's growth, ensure to mention it through the accepted communication channel. And if there is something else you do not understand, contact the right team member and ask about it.

Support and encourage others. There is room for competition, but it must be healthy to avoid developing a toxic relationship between two team members. Listen attentively and give support when others give ideas. If the idea appears faulty, ensure that you mention it in the most polite manner. The feedback sandwich should come in handy in this regard.

Arrive in time for meetings and participate actively. And finally, accept that not all your suggestions will be adopted. Even when you think you have given a wonderful idea, try to explain if others do not get it. And if, in the end, they still do not think it would work, learn to find a way to work with what they have chosen instead.