Being An Approachable Manager: 8 Essential Steps To Follow

Being approachable isn’t just a fancy term for being friendly. It is actually about setting the right tone and listening to others. When you’re being approachable as a leader, people know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns, and you’re likely to be able to offer sound advice and help them out. More importantly, they don’t feel shy or are scared of you. In the context of managers, being an approachable manager is critical if you want to build a good relationship with your team members. It can also help you forge stronger business ties. 

However, becoming an approachable manager isn’t easy. In fact, it can be pretty challenging. But if you’re up for the challenge, you can take a few simple steps to become more approachable and intuitive. This blog outlines these steps while explaining how to make the most of them. We’ll also be discussing the benefits of being an approachable manager, as it is something you need to know to get the motivation to walk down this path. So if you’re looking to be more approachable, read on!

The benefits of being an Approachable Manager

Being an approachable manager has many benefits for both you and your employees. By creating an open and communicative work environment, you create a trusting relationship that can lead to team productivity and success. Additionally, being approachable makes it easy for your employees to reach out and ask for help – no matter how big or small the issue may be.

By taking the time to listen attentively, you can resolve any conflicts or concerns quickly and efficiently. In the end, being an approachable manager builds trust, communication, and team collaboration. Let’s take a deeper look.

You’ll be more likely to keep your team on track and motivated

Managing a team can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding if you are an approachable manager. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employees who viewed their managers as accessible were more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work and were less likely to leave their jobs. Employees feel appreciated and understood by their managers, boosting their morale and motivation. You keep your team on track and build trust and rapport with them by being approachable.

Your team will feel more comfortable talking with you

Your team’s inability to openly talk to you is bad news if you aim to become an effective manager. People tend to feel more comfortable talking with someone approachable. Therefore, being approachable as a manager makes it easier for you to resolve problems. It also leads to better lines of communication across the organization and builds a more robust network. As a result, everyone will be able to understand what is happening quickly, and that can resolve any issues swiftly. In a fast-paced environment like today’s business world, being an approachable manager is essential for quick resolutions.

They’ll trust you more and be more responsive when asking for help or feedback

Being an approachable manager enables you to build strong relationships with your team members. It also boosts trust and leads to more productive collaborations. It further leads to a more responsive team when you ask them for help or feedback. Additionally, it translates to more stable team culture, reduced communication breakdowns, and a streamlined workflow. It ultimately leads to a more substantial business. As a result, you can be assured of better outcomes and increased efficiency.

You’ll be more likely to find new talent

There’s no doubt that hiring and retaining the best talent is one of the most important aspects of any business, and attrition is also a challenge that many managers face daily. When you’re an approachable manager, you open yourself up to potential candidates and make it easier for them to connect with you. It, in turn, makes it much easier for them to apply for your position and cross probably the most challenging part of the job application process. When you make it easy for people to reach out to you, they’re more likely to feel comfortable sharing their ideas and desires with you – leading to a more productive team overall.

You’ll be more likely to get your team’s feedback and suggestions

It’s no secret that a strong relationship between a manager and their team is essential for successful functioning. An approachable manager who understands their employees’ needs will be more likely to get their feedback and suggestions, leading to better decision making, improved execution, and a more robust bottom line.

After all, the more informed a manager is, the better they can make informed decisions that will improve the company overall. So, if you want your business to thrive in the future, make sure to put in the extra effort to be an approachable leader and friendly to your team. In return, you’ll be rewarded with precious feedback and suggestions.

Approachability is contagious; if people see you as approachable, they’re more likely to follow suit

The key is to make sure that you’re constantly working on improving your technique and setting the example for your team. If you can show them that it’s possible to be approachable and professional simultaneously, they’re more likely to follow your lead. And the best part is that it doesn’t take much effort; it can even be fun! By bringing a few changes in your behavior and skills to become approachable, you can ensure that you’re setting the right example for your team and making a positive impact on their careers.

Lastly, being approachable builds trust

Being approachable is an important skill, especially if you want to build trust and good relationships with your team members and clients. Trust is at the heart of any healthy relationship or organization. When you trust someone, you are more likely to be open and honest with them, and you tend to view them as a credible source of information. Approachability goes beyond simply being polite; it is about taking the time to get to know your employees and customers on a personal level. You can build a strong foundation for lasting relationships that are crucial to your success.

The steps you need to follow to become an Approachable Manager

The steps you need to follow consist of a few changes in your behavior and the skills and processes you follow. These changes will ultimately increase your approachability and lead you towards becoming an approachable manager. So, what are these changes? Let’s discuss them one by one.

Changes in Behavior

The most critical part of the behavior change is to look human to your team. They must see you for the individual you are and not a position. Humans are vulnerable. They make mistakes and learn from them. They also have fun with the people around them. So don’t present yourself as someone else. Be yourself like you are with your friends.

1. Develop a positive attitude

It’s crucial to have a positive attitude when striving to be an approachable manager. It is essential because seeing yourself as a positive person will change how you think, act, and relate. You’ll spontaneously treat others with respect, kindness, and warmth. All this will together make you approachable. It can be difficult when things are going poorly, but it’s essential if you want to build relationships with your team and achieve the objectives you set for yourself.

One of the best ways to develop a positive attitude is to focus on your strengths. When you focus on what you do well, you’ll see progress and success in areas you previously struggled with. That will ultimately lead you to develop a positive attitude.

2. Be vulnerable in sharing your failures or insecurities

As a manager, it’s important to be vulnerable in sharing your failures or insecurities. It will help you build trust and credibility with your team and enable them to lean on you for support when things get tough. When you are completely candid with your team, they will see you as a person instead of a manager.

It empowers them to take risks and make decisions in the team’s best interest. It’s also important to be open about your thoughts and ideas so that they can provide valuable feedback. If you can make yourself approachable and available, your team will be more likely to report to you with good news, and they’ll be more likely to stick around if things go wrong.

3. When you don’t know something, accept it and work together to figure out

When you don’t know something, and you’re the team manager, it’s essential to be patient and accept that fact. It means reaching out to your team and asking for help in most cases. If somebody on your team is knowledgeable about the subject, they’re more than happy to lend a hand.

You can quickly get up to speed on the issue and make the best decisions possible by working together. It is essential for decisions that impact the team’s productivity or morale. When you approach your employees with your problems or shortcomings, they are also pushed to come to you for their issues, positively impacting your approachability.

4. Speak openly and honestly with others

If you want to become an approachable manager, a crucial step is to start speaking openly and honestly with others. It means being straightforward and honest about your intentions and willing to listen to others’ perspectives. Be responsive, show openness to feedback, and communicate openly about what you are doing and why so that everyone in your team feels engaged and invested in your work. Finally, while being honest, respect others’ time and effort.

Changes in skill and process

Along with the behavior change, you will also have to get new skills and put some new processes in place. Basically, it would help if you created the right opportunities.

1. Proactively schedule one-on-one meetings with your direct and indirect reports

Being an approachable manager isn’t simply a one-time act. It’s a continuous journey. As your team grows and your responsibilities increase, it’s essential to schedule one-on-one meetings with your indirect and direct reports proactively. This way, you can get to know them better, build trust and accountability, and manage expectations. It will allow you to get a 360-degree view of their work and progress and get their feedback and suggestions on how you can improve their working environment.

It will also allow you to connect with them at a personal level. It’s also essential to create an environment where your team feels comfortable communicating openly and candidly with you. These one-on-one meetings are also a great way to show empathy and compassion to your employees, and these are the critical skills of approachable people.

2. Keep seeking feedback from your team and others around you

To be an approachable manager, you need to seek feedback from your team and others around you constantly. It will help you understand the areas in which you need to improve and take the necessary measures to improve your relationship and communication skills.

By getting feedback from various sources, you will be able to understand the needs of your team better and cater to them accordingly. However, take proper note of your feedback, as it can be a valuable tool in your professional arsenal. If handled properly, feedback can help drive continuous improvement and development in your managerial skills.

3. Practice active listening

Being approachable starts with being a good listener, which means being able to listen attentively. Active listening is simply taking in what the other person is saying and not focusing on distractions like your thoughts or opinions. It includes asking good questions, being inquisitive, maintaining eye contact, and paying attention to what your team members say. It will help you understand their individual needs and goals.

When you can effectively listen to others, you can build trust and rapport, which will help improve the overall quality of your communication. It makes it easier for the other person to open up to you, allowing you to understand their intentions and motivations better.

4. Make your body language approachable

Body language can be compelling and make you or break you in relationships with your employees. If you want to become an approachable manager, you need to start by making sure that your body language is open, friendly, and inviting. Start by keeping your hands out of your pockets, maintain a good posture, and avoid crossing your arms or legs. Instead, uncross your arms and legs, and take a deep breath to attain a relaxed position.

Keep your facial features soft and neutral, and avoid making any intense or angry expressions. Also, avoid any inappropriate hand gestures. Finally, keep your voice calm and low-key when speaking to others. You can make it easy for others to approach you and start working together by following these simple tips.

Conclusion

To conclude, being approachable is a desirable trait in managers, but it’s also something that can exponentially increase your chances of success. Being an approachable manager is a great way to build a good rapport with your team, but it also has many tangible benefits. As mentioned in the blog, you need to take a few key steps to become an Approachable Manager. By following these steps and bringing the required changes in your behavior, skills, and the processes you follow, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an approachable manager.

Also, you can take assistance from Risely-manager’s buddy to enhance your managerial skills and adapt to changes to create a healthy workplace culture.

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