Hard Truths About People Management That No One Told You

Most people become managers because they perform exceptionally well as Individual contributors, and hence they get promoted. One of the first things organizations do to give them more responsibility is handling and managing others, aka. “a team.” Lo and behold, you are suddenly a manager responsible for other people’s tasks. This transition comes naturally to some, but it doesn’t come as easy as that for others. The most significant change is to understand that you are not only responsible for your tasks but others’ tasks as well. How to ensure that the team’s objectives are met? Suddenly, there are new expectations. And this is when no one has taught you how to manage teams or people before. No school or college imparts this knowledge. You are thrown at the pool’s deep end, and you have to swim out of it. Maybe there is a small life jacket thrown your way in terms of manager training. As you keep progressing in your managerial career, you discover the responsibilities and challenges along the way. There are some hard truths about people management that most managers only figure out after years and years of people management. Some keep fighting these hard truths without accepting them. One of such hard truths is that “There is no such thing as a perfect employee.” You will never find an employee 100% fit in every situation. The right way to approach this puzzle is to look for different pieces that fit together. It is not about finding the perfect employee. It is actually about creating the ideal team that delivers on your objectives day in and day out.

Another hard truth that managers take time to understand and accept is that “You can’t control everything.” You can try your hardest to control everything, but in the end, you’ll eventually fail due to various factors. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to delegate and let go. Delegating tasks and responsibilities allows you to focus on the crucial things. By being proactive about delegation, you’ll be able to manage your time more effectively. There are six other hard truths like the above two. You can read them here. When managers take the people management role for the first time, they start managing the team’s work the way they used to work as individual contributors. When they see things not happening the way they would have done it, they feel naturally inclined to “step in” and “rescue the situation” themselves. This automatically leads to a micromanagement tendency. They initially succeed with this technique because Micromanagement works well in certain situations.

But they get a false sense of success and understand that this is the only way to get the results from the team. And hence, the bad habits of Micromanagement set in deep into their managerial styles. That’s when the heartburn for managers starts. The team becomes demotivated by excessive Micromanagement, their performance drops, and they start exiting. Read more about Micromanagement and how you can avoid it as a manager. In the end, managers must understand that people management is all about balance and situational awareness. You are balancing the team’s needs vs. performance needs. Balancing stakeholders and ensuring no one is ignored. Understanding situations and responding accordingly. Basically, one size fits all approach doesn’t work. Actual effectiveness in people management comes in by building the core skill set required for people management. These are the manager’s ability to guide, analytical skills, emotional competence, and interpersonal skills. Each of these is an onion that you need to open layer by layer. There are a few tips that we have put together for effective management in such new roles. In the end, people management can be extremely rewarding or extremely frustrating. It just depends on how you approach it. You can take it as it comes and leave it to luck. Or you can take it by the horns and learn how to become an effective people manager. But one thing is for sure. Your career growth is dependent on your ability to lead and manage people. If you are good at it, you will succeed, no doubt. But if you are not, you will still grow to a certain level before hitting a plateau.

How do Mental Models help in Effective Decision-Making as a Manager?

As a manager, your days are a whirlwind of choices: launching new products, managing teams, and steering your company towards success. But with so much on your plate, how do you ensure you’re making the right call, every single time? The answer lies in a powerful tool you already possess: mental models. These aren’t fancy gadgets or complex formulas; they’re the frameworks you use to understand the world around you. By leveraging them effectively, you can transform from a tightrope walker to a confident decision-making machine. Intrigued? In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of mental models, exploring how they can empower you to make clear, informed decisions – even under pressure. We’ll also shed light on their limitations, so you can use them with a critical eye. So, buckle up and get ready to conquer decision-making process once and for all!

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How do Mental Models help in Effective Decision-Making as a Manager?
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What are Mental Models?

Before beginning to work with mental models or even weighing the pros and cons of using them, it is essential to understand the term “mental model.” A model is a simplified and capsule representation of a big concept. Moreover, it presents a complex issue in an easy-to-understand and consumable form. Mental models do the same in our minds. They break down chaotic and multi-faceted life into simplistic concepts so they can make choices easily. In common managerial parlance, a mental model refers to the set of existing experiences and internal norms that a person uses as the basis for interpreting and understanding things and events around them. It also encompasses the values, beliefs, and norms the person holds. In simple terms, a mental model serves as the frame of reference for the person. The concept innate in the model is then applied to derive meaning from all everyday situations. For instance, a manager or leader may have a mental model that working more equals more output which means more success. Now, if and when this person comes across an individual who prefers to work for a short duration but does so with focus and efficiency, they will not see their work as valuable. This is because it does not satisfy the core condition of their frame of mind, i.e., success is contingent upon putting in more hours. However, they might appreciate someone simply working for hours without success! As a team manager, this can be a highly problematic scenario. This sums up how mental models work – simplify, then apply.

Benefits of using Mental Models in Decision Making

Making good decisions as a manager can be tricky under the best circumstances. But when things are going south, mental models can help significantly. By staying calm and organized, managers can make better decisions that lead to positive outcomes. Additionally, by taking into account past experiences, they can develop solutions faster and with less risk. And if the decision-making process is proving too complicated, using a mental model can provide a framework for thinking about the problem. In short, using mental model can help managers achieve better decision-making outcomes in any situation. When making a decision as a manager, you need to remember that you are doing it on behalf of your team or organization instead of yourself. Therefore, it is vital to recognize that the repercussions of your decisions will make an impact beyond you. You can use mental model to help you out of difficult decision-making situations in several ways.

Understand the person in front of you: You can use mental models by applying the core values and beliefs held by the other party to understand better and anticipate their response. Based on this, you can make tweaks in your decisions and processes accordingly.
Increase clarity: At times, you are bound to feel stuck in a mess. However, you can rope in mental model to get a dose of clarity in such times. They will help you see through the situation by providing a basis to form a judgment. Further, this will make you more confident in the approach you eventually adopt.
Streamline responses organization-wide: Creating several mental model adopted across the entire organization will help you coordinate the response from your organization. As a manager, you can aid the development of mental model built around your organization’s core values and vision. Based on these, the decisions made across various contexts and circumstances will carry a central philosophy.
Develop a common perspective: Mental models will help you formulate a common view or lens for the entire organization. Without this, your organization will be prone to frequent disarray and disorder. On the flip side, you can present a unified view for the whole organization, which is great for your reputation.
Speed-up decision-making: Lastly, and most importantly, mental models add amazing speed to the decision-making process. This happens as they work to transform the problem into an understandable format with a few options to choose from. Quick decision-making done smartly is the way to success.

How can Managers use Mental Models for Decision-Making?

Now that we have noted that mental models offer some indispensable benefits, we need to see how you can use them as a manager during decision-making. Making decisions as a manager can be a daunting task. However, by using mental models, managers can take the pressure off and quickly find solutions to difficult decisions. In fact, by using mental models, managers can increase their productivity and efficiency in the workplace. So, why not give them a try? You might be surprised at how helpful they can be in pursuing success. You must go through a few simple steps to add mental models to your process. The Process: The first thing to do while setting up a mental model is to conduct a thorough assessment. A few might be preexisting even when you have not placed mental models in the system. Therefore, it is imperative to understand them and how they have impacted them. If you discover a negative impact, getting rid of those models before applying new ones is essential. In the initial step to creating mental models, you must identify your core values and beliefs. This can come from the organization’s experience and vision document. Moreover, you can also take your team members’ input to understand their mental models. These measurements will make up the design of your solution. Next up, you can create a mental model diagram or a mental model chart.

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Limitations of using Mental Models in Decision Making

Mental models are like your trusty toolbox – full of instruments to help you make intelligent decisions as a manager. But just like any tool, they have their limitations. Here’s why it’s crucial to be aware of the potential pitfalls: The Curse of Oversimplification: Imagine trying to fix a watch with a hammer. Mental models can be fantastic for simplifying complex situations, but sometimes they oversimplify too much. Important details get lost in the shuffle, leading to poor decisions. The Echo Chamber Effect: Our experiences and beliefs shape our mental models, which is great, but it can also create a blind spot. If your team is too similar, your model only reflects a narrow viewpoint, potentially overlooking valuable alternative solutions. The Subjectivity Trap: Let’s be honest: complete objectivity is a myth. Our biases and perspectives influence how we build mental models. While a diverse team can help mitigate this, subjectivity can still creep in. So, what can you do? Don’t ditch your mental models entirely! Here’s the key:

Acknowledge the limitations. Recognize that mental models are a starting point, not a crystal ball.
Embrace diverse perspectives. Seek out different viewpoints to challenge assumptions and enrich your model.
Gather high-quality data. Don’t let your model exist in a vacuum. Support it with solid data and research.
Continuously refine. The business world is dynamic, so your mental models should be too. Be open to adapting them as you learn and grow.

Using mental models critically allows you to leverage their strengths while avoiding their pitfalls. Remember, the best decisions are often made at the intersection of experience, fresh thinking, and a healthy dose of self-awareness. So, keep your toolbox stocked, but use the right tool for the job and watch your decision-making skills flourish!

Conclusion

Don’t let mental models become mental roadblocks! These frameworks are powerful tools, but they need constant evaluation and refinement. As your company culture evolves, so should your mental models. Here’s the key takeaway: embrace lifelong learning, stay curious about new perspectives, and be willing to adapt your models to fit the ever-changing business landscape.
By fostering a culture of open communication and encouraging diverse viewpoints, you can ensure your mental models are grounded in reality and not outdated assumptions. Mental models can be used in various decision-making contexts, such as strategic planning, finance, and human resources management. Remember, the best decisions are often made at the intersection of experience and fresh thinking. So, leverage your mental models, challenge them when necessary, and watch your decision-making skills soar to new heights! Now, go forth and lead with clarity and confidence!

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8 Good Questions For Managers To Hire Better Staff

Finding the best candidates is difficult, and the next challenge comes when you have to test them. That’s where the manager comes in – they need to access essential behaviors they want team members to adopt for success. Ensuring that your team has the requisite behavior right from the beginning can save you a lot of headaches later on. After all, culture building begins right from onboarding! The hiring and recruitment process is the appropriate place to start looking for a good fit. You must know exactly what to ask the candidates to access these qualities. For that, you have to go beyond questions commonly asked in an interview. This blog educates managers on how to do just that by providing tips, sample questions for recruitment, and insights to analyze answers that candidates might provide. It lists several good questions for managers to hire better staff in the next recruitment cycle. By understanding the reasons for using these questions for recruitment, managers can easily access the information they need to make the best decisions for their team. Happy hunting!

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What does your “better staff” look like?

Finding the right people for the right job can be challenging, but the hiring process must be smooth for everyone involved. Successful teams exhibit a few key behaviors, which are essential to look for in potential hires. As a manager, you will need to begin by defining your expectations for the role in terms of skills and behavior. These behaviors are vital to developing team cohesion and creating a productive environment. An accountable team member who is committed to your goals with zeal is an asset to your team. Hence, looking out for such people in the pool of potential employees becomes crucial. It is essential because, in the absence of these behaviors, the whole organization can face detrimental consequences. After all, teams are not merely a function of great managers but also team members. A fine-tuned team with all the members believing and adhering to a common set of values is therefore necessary. Click here to learn the top behaviors that managers look for in team members.

Good and bad member behavior

Managers can carefully craft their teams to show the best behavior that enhances efficiency constantly. Some behaviors are desirable. Furthermore, some behaviors may indicate a lack of commitment to the team concept and its objectives. You would not want to add candidates to your team who show these behaviors. For instance, an unserious attitude towards work can look like this –

The employee is absent without an acceptable reason
Ignorance or unwillingness to share knowledge
Hesitation in taking ownership of their work

A manager thus has the responsibility to ascertain whether the hires are a good fit for the team or not. To do this, you must ask specific questions that allow candidates to display their qualities. The questions for recruitment are vital to this process. In addition, you also need to be attentive to the answers given by team members. The right behaviors are often revealed in an interview setting. However, the interview durations are usually short, and you may not get in-depth discussions with every candidate. Therefore, it becomes essential to ask the right questions for recruitment which help you ensure that the candidate is a good fit for your team.

What are some good questions for managers to use?

When looking for better staff on your team, asking the right questions for recruitment is essential. After all, generic and conventional questions for recruitment like “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” do not fulfill your purpose. So you will wonder, “What questions should I ask in an interview?”. That’s where this list of questions will come in handy for you. Here are some good questions for managers that can help determine potential employees’ skills, work ethic, and attitudes during the hunt for better staff. By asking these questions and more, you’ll be able to find the best team member for the job and improve your overall work productivity in the process.

What do you know about the company?

This is among the simple, effective, and yet very useful questions for recruitment. Primarily, it demonstrates precisely how much interest the candidate is taking in your company. Their attitude towards your organization is reflected in their answer. An educated answer will show that they are keen on being a part of your team and have taken the time to learn more about it. Moreover, they are interested in what you do, which is essential to being an enthusiastic participant at work. If they accord value to your work and projects, they will do their best in both doing and learning. Also, it is a marker of their ability to sieve through a bounty of information. Their interpretation of your work reveals their thought process to you.

What are your main professional qualities?

Knowledge, skills, and abilities, usually abbreviated as KSA, are primary markers of a candidate’s fit for a role. Therefore, knowing what skills they bring to the table is essential. It helps you see if they are exactly what your team requires in terms of human resources. Moreover, if they are confident in their abilities, you can see that the candidate has the potential to become an employee who takes responsibility and works to get results. They take ownership of their work and develop accountability and responsibility regarding it towards their superiors. A slight hesitation or misunderstanding of their abilities will show that they are yet to understand themselves fully. Therefore, as a manager, you might need to push them a bit to develop into their potential. On the flipside, inexplicable arrogance over personal abilities is a clear red flag for what is to come with them into the team.

Why should we hire you?

Again, a simple question that gets the job done – exactly how you want your employees to do. This question gives the candidate a broad scope to answer. In their answer, they can include bits about their professional or personal abilities. Moreover, they can elaborate on how they fit into your team culturally and strategically. Their answer to this question will also acquaint you with their self-awareness and empathy, both of which are essential qualities to have in team members and managers. A pragmatic interpretation of self will put them forward as an understanding and informed person. However, a heavy dose of self-criticism might be a warning sign, as it shows their attitude towards problems is one of cribbing, not solving. This also gives you an idea of they might treat their peers.

Why did you leave your previous job?

When you use such questions for recruitment, you can learn how well a candidate will fit your team’s environment. Their answer will be an inventory of what they liked and, more importantly, did not like about the previous organization. Their reason explains what they are seeking from an organization. It could be a more collaborative culture, more autonomy, or better learning opportunities. Whatever they felt was lacking in their previous team, they will expect the same while joining yours. Moreover, their reaction towards the organization, on the other hand, shows their attitude towards their work. How they dealt with unfulfilled expectations can give you an insight into their problem-solving approach, Both these factors help you assess if they fit your tribe or not.

Have you had a significant failure in life? If yes, what was it?

No person is made solely of success. Instead, they become interesting in their failures. Similarly, no organization is guaranteed success in all of its endeavors. Therefore, you have to assess the attitude of employees towards failure. An ideal candidate will take a loss and turn it into another starting point – with lessons learned. You would want to avoid people ending the journey with failure. Instead, look for people who realign and reignite after facing defeat. These are the ones who will bring perseverance and grit with them. They can think quickly and adapt in the face of difficulties, which is needed in the fast-paced competitive environment. Also, it demonstrates their ability to learn lessons from real-life situations. Their locus of control is revealed as well.

What do you plan to achieve in the first 30-60-90 days in this role?

Instead of simply asking a candidate about their future expectations, you can ask them this. Initially, they will take some time to become a part of the organization, learning the work, culture, norms, and colleagues. Afterward, they can play a significant role in activities. Their plans show how much effort and enthusiasm they have towards the role. Whether or not they are willing to go above and beyond the job description. An enthusiastic candidate will attempt to learn their work quickly to move beyond it faster. Moreover, they might potentially have plans for new initiatives to develop them and the organization. Some of them might be hesitant, and you’ll be able to identify if they need coaching before taking independent steps. Otherwise, there might be candidates who are content simply with their role.

What is your most significant accomplishment?

We usually love to tell people about our best times. A candidate usually puts forward the key catalyst of their career in the answer. Otherwise, it might also be an interesting anecdote about their journey toward that field of work. The answer to this question will enable you to understand where the candidate comes from and what experience they bring. It will also give you an insight into their core values. Most importantly, it will tell you what they have achieved in their journey thus far, based on which you can understand where they wish to go in the future. It can help you conclude whether their career plans coincide with their progress in your team. This will clarify what sort of relationship they envisage with your team.

Who is a good team player?

Lastly, a person’s understanding of a team is critical to access when scouting for a team member. The answer to this question will show you what they mean by teamwork and collaboration. The expectations they have from their team members. A candidate will likely put forward their behavior as a team player as the desired characteristics. Moreover, it will show how open and comfortable they are with the idea of working together. Even with impeccable professional skills, they might not be great team players. There is nothing wrong with being an independent player who prefers autonomy. However, this makes them unfit for your team. Therefore, it is essential to access them personally as well. Finding better staff for your team is a critical step. By asking good questions during the interview process, you can better understand who the applicant is as a person. By hiring the right person for the job, you’ll be ensuring your team’s success.

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How do you assess answers as a hiring manager?

Hiring a great team of employees is essential for any business. Managers can access the necessary information to make the best decision for their business by understanding the questions for recruitment when hiring a new employee. After asking the questions, you must analyze the answers to the maximum number of accurate insights. While accessing the answers, keep the following things in mind:

Do an objective analysis of your team. Understand what the team requires precisely, and set behavior goals. Have a set of qualities that you see as central to your team and desirable in new members. Further, clearly communicate the team’s requirements and environment to the candidate during the interview process.
Compare the candidate against the persona that your team needs. Assess their answers to see how well they fare against the various metrics, such as – adaptability, collaborative vs. competitive spirit, etc.
Remain objective during the analysis. Make sure your personal preferences do not affect the acceptance or rejection of a candidate.
Do not judge the candidate. Simply assess whether they fit nicely into your team or not. Personal likeability does not have to become a selection criterion.
Make a note not to get captured by a single incident of a candidate’s journey, say, the prestigious institution they graduated from. Instead, try to understand them and their experiences thoroughly before deciding.
Frame your interview according to the role that you are interviewing for. The personal qualities required can vary at different levels and across various teams. There is no one-shot recipe to a great interview. Instead, it is contingent on numerous factors. Hence, take time and think about interview preparation.
Lastly, wrap up your interview well with interview feedback for the candidate.

In short, be objective, avoid judgment and be aware of the role you are hiring for.

Conclusion

Hiring better staff is a continuous quest which is essential for the success of your business. By understanding the behaviors necessary for a good employee and knowing some good questions for recruitment, you can find the best candidate for the job. This blog has a handy list of questions for recruitment to which you can add more as needed. Make sure to check back for more helpful tips and tricks for managers!

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8 Team Behaviors That Good Managers Love

In the words of Henry Ford, coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is a success. Efficient teamwork is a recipe for delightful success. A good team is made of committed members who are willing to give their best for the best of the team. A team manager is the pivot point for any team. A manager can take many steps for better team management. Firstly, they can adopt qualities to become better managers. Then, they can improve the team’s performance by promoting team behaviors that bring excellent results while dissuading others. On the other hand, members work for better team cohesion too! Here are some common team behaviors that managers look for in their teams. As a team member, this is the cheat sheet that you need to swear by.

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8 Team Behaviors That Good Managers Love
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Top 8 behaviors managers want in team members

Trust

Never turn your back! Unless you have a teammate watching over you. You can be put in a vulnerable position at many points as a team member. A good team member will ensure they are safe and secure in such a situation. Being able to be vulnerable around your team is a huge sign of trust, which is essential for seamless and supportive collaboration. A good team is composed of people who support each other in weak moments. They help in making a quick and robust recovery to their earlier position. Mutual trust is what allows all this to happen. Teamwork suffers without belief in a relationship. Hence, a manager should attempt to build trust in their team.

Accountability

A manager likes to have team members who take responsibility. A member that takes responsibility demonstrates their confidence and puts themselves forward as reliable. Consequently, responsible behavior of team members ensures the manager of their commitment and ability to deliver. Consistently responsible behavior pitches you as a dependable member. They do not have to check you regularly, and you make work easier for the managers. Responsible team members are thus a gem for managers, and you should always strive to be one. Such accountable behavior sets you apart from the rest as a person willing to accept responsibilities and obligations for their actions. Your manager can trust you to achieve deadlines and fulfill your duties. Additionally, accountability in team members helps build trust and allows a smooth workflow. In order to accomplish this, managers can take some steps to build personal accountability in their team.

Commitment

Commitment to the team’s goals is a basic expectation that any manager will have from you. Therefore, commitment towards the goals is vital for every member to make the best efforts towards success. You can show your commitment to your manager by working hard and smart constantly. Your commitment shows that you give importance to the goals and activities of the team. For instance, actively participating in discussions and bringing new ideas to the table shows your commitment to the team’s success.

Going above and beyond

Managers would love to have employees who do not remain limited to what their job description states. A great team member will take chances and accept the consequences; doing just the bare minimum is not to their taste. Instead, employees who go above and beyond their role’s responsibilities win appreciation from their managers. This means that as a dedicated team member, you should engage with all the aspects of the project your team is dealing with. Rather than simply keeping yourself to your defined role, you can take the initiative to understand the other facets. Additionally, you can contribute to it through your extra expertise and new ideas for improvement.

Results

Teams are not just for talk, are they? At the end of the day, teams are looking for tangible achievements. Managers appreciate members who give them results that are essential for the organization’s success. Your commitment and accountability towards the goals are established when you are seen delivering results. You can also show support by helping others in achieving their goals.

Sensitivity

While working in teams, sensitivity towards others is an excellent quality to have. An understanding of the feelings of others makes you a great team player. It also presents you as an approachable, friendly person to your peers. Such people are an asset to the team as they keep a harmonious environment flowing. It becomes all the more critical as the world is now diverse and increasingly interconnected. Therefore, being sensitive to people from varied backgrounds is an essential quality to have. Managers will surely appreciate the positive gust of wind you bring to the team.

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Respectful

Mutual respect is needed in any team for it to function effectively. As a team member, you must respect your teammates and their work. So, it shows that you value the efforts and opinions of others. Respectful behavior must be maintained even when you may not like the other person. Similarly, respect is to be accorded to work done by your organization. Such behavior shows that you are a thoroughly rational and respectful person who isn’t bound by personal choices. It is a mark of professionalism.

Considerate

Care and consideration towards others is another essential quality in a team player. While working with other people, you must understand and care for their needs and wants. Helping others in time of need is one way of showing this. In addition, having a touch of empathy in your behavior while dealing with others enables you to develop excellent interpersonal relations.

Conclusion

A manager appreciates behaviors that reduce conflicts, create a harmonious environment, and enhance the team’s efficiency. As a member, you should strive to cultivate those within you. Being a great team player is a skill that comes with experience. However, keeping these points in mind can help you hone that skill when working with a team.

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FAQs

What are the 5 behaviors of a successful team?

The key behaviors of any successful team are:
– Trust
– Collaboration
– Ownership
– Accountability
– Result-orientation

What are the behaviors of a good team player?

A good team player collaborates with others to derive results for their team. They are approachable and communicate effectively with the rest of the team. In addition, a good team player ensure that there is little scope of conflict by taking accountability and communicating properly with the rest of the team.

What are successful behaviors?

Successful behaviors in the workplace are those which help teams perform better. These include strong time management habits, healthy conflict resolution practices, little to no micromanagement of team members, active listening, etc. to name a few.

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Extrovert Or Introvert Manager – Which One Leads Teams Better?

Every person is unique. And this holds even when you are a manager. Differences in personalities, habits, and tendencies are common in any organization. It is also true that every person adds something valuable to the organization through their unique traits. Commonly, people are understood to be either introverts or extroverts. A third category, called ambiverts, holds those who don’t fall into these clear divisions. The extent of these traits is measured on a spectrum. Therefore, no one is a complete introvert or extrovert. At most, they incline towards one end of the scale. This personality type shapes a person’s attitude. Their interactions as a manager are affected by this as well. But first, let’s understand these types. The basis of differentiation here is their attitude towards socialization. Additionally, how a person interacts with a social situation and how their mind and body react to it form the core basis of this categorization. Their energy source – whether it is the company of people or their own – makes them an introvert or an extrovert.

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Understanding the personality of managers

Introverts

Introverts are generally seen as people who avoid human interaction at any cost. But contrary to this popular depiction, introverts are simply people who find their energy in solitude. After repeated socialization, they might need a minute or two to recharge themselves. So, it does not mean that introverts cannot be good communicators. On the contrary, they can form great relationships with new people via deep communication. The initial hesitation gives way to a treasure trove.

Extroverts

At the other end of the scale lie extroverts. They are commonly perceived as loud, gregarious, and ready for rabble-rousing. Everyone is either a friend or a potential friend for an extrovert. Extroverts get their energy from socialization and love to interact with people – known and unknown. You can usually see them expressing themselves uninhibitedly.

Ambiverts

In the middle of the two extremities lie the ambiverts. Ambiverts are people who do not fall clearly into either of the above two groups. Instead, they show both traits depending on the situation and other factors, demonstrating a delicate balance between extroversion and introversion.

Role of personality in management

A manager’s personality affects their orientation and management style. It determines how they interact with their team and how much emphasis is placed on building relationships. The manager’s personality affects the quality of these relationships. The manner in which these relationships are made is also affected by personality! These relationships are crucial to managing a team effectively. The general perception says extroverts are always great at roles requiring good communication. However, simply having a love for sharing and being an effective communicator are two separate things. The common perception is that introverts are meek and reserved as leaders. Yet, such beliefs have turned out to be false. The classical theories of management that emphasized extroversion as a necessary trait in leaders have been disapproved largely. Some still believe the stereotypes. However, new studies have shown that people of any personality type can be influential leaders. Whether introvert or extrovert, every manager brings value to the team through their strengths; each can shine high in different types of organizations and situations. There is no clear-cut answer to which personality type can be a good manager.

Introvert Managers

An introvert manager would add substantial value to the team through their strengths. Primarily, they work well as managers due to the following reasons.

Good listener

Listening is a core skill for managers. Introvert managers usually turn out to be good listeners. They can lend an ear without interruptions attached. In stressful situations, employees can reach out to them in the hope of a resolution to their problems. A leader that listens to the issues of their team appears more approachable.

Better feedback providers

Introvert managers tend to observe their team at work without interrupting their workflow. They provide detailed and constructive feedback. As managers, they hold a keen understanding of their team with its strengths and weaknesses on which they can work. In-depth constructive feedback is beneficial for both the employees and the managers.

Cultivate loyalty

By avoiding grandiose declarations and instead working silently towards goals with their team, introvert managers can form loyal relationships. Through close interactions in small groups, they develop long-lasting relationships built on mutual understanding and trust that are set to bring gains for the organization. However, this does not mean that there won’t be any challenges. A introvert managers can come across as passive and unenthusiastic to their employees. They might feel overwhelmed by the constant barrage of information arriving too. Limited interactions can provide ample space for grapevines to cultivate as well. Introverts in managerial roles can take note of some points to overcome these difficulties.

Establish strong interpersonal relationships with your team.
Make others aware of your boundaries regarding communication.
Interact with your employees, but take time in between to re-energize.

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Extrovert Managers

Similarly, on the other hand, the an extrovert manager can turn around an organization as well. Some benefits that they bring along are-

Enthusiasm and motivation

The ability to motivate employees is essential to management function. An extroverted manager can infuse their team with enthusiasm and motivation of their own. Moreover, they bring in a burst of energy that sets things in motion and pushes everyone to achieve more. In an organization suffering from lethargy, this is the precise panacea.

Higher engagement

Through their initiatives and habits, extroverts kick start a constant and ongoing conversation in their team. As a result, one can achieve higher employee participation and involvement by having an extrovert at the helm of affairs. This creates harmony. People develop an attachment to their work. Extroverts take a keen interest in their job and ideas. Under their leadership, others can do it too.

Speed

Extroverts bring an element of speed with themselves into the organization. Hence, their quick-thinking mind and rapidly moving thoughts clear mental hurdles that would delay decision-making. They are set to be apt in a fast-paced environment that necessitates quick thinking. Extroverts can also face problems in managerial roles. Most importantly, one can mistake their enthusiasm for dominance. Others can feel intimidated. They might have a hard time speaking up freely. As social beings, they focus too much on interactions. Inadvertently, they emphasize engagements than the actual work to be carried out. To ensure that these issues do not hamper the flow of work, extroverts can keep some points in mind:

Try to be a listener, ask questions and provide space for others to speak.
Spend time thinking before acting.
Ensure that your energy does not become overwhelming for others.

Conclusion: Introverts or extroverts?

Therefore, we can see that not all is black or white on any side. The perpetual question of whether introvert managers or extrovert managers lead teams better has no simple answer. As noted, both personality types bring unique advantages to the managerial role. Similarly, unique challenges can also arise by having either an introvert or an extrovert as a manager. Both types of people can work and exchange notes to overcome challenges created by their personalities. By understanding these better, they can increase the efficiency of their management.

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