Leadership: The 5 roles of a manager and 6 tips to master them
By Dr. Evi Prokopi and Dimitris Psarras
The role of the manager has dramatically changed over the decades and nowadays there are more expectations from those who want to improve their performance as individuals along with the performance of their teams.
To meet those expectations very often managers are called to assume different roles at the same time, depending on the complexity of the problem they try to solve, the organisational context and their stakeholders.
The manager’s role: The role of the manager is to ensure that targets and objectives arebeing met according to the set expectations. It’s about managing appropriately resources,such as people, money, and time to achieve maximum performance. It’s a result driven role.
The leader’s role: Just ensuring that tasks are completed is sometimes not enough. By acting as a leader, managers are called to inspire their teams as well. It is the opportunity to step up, explain why things are happening, engage with their teams and key stakeholders and motivate, making people share the same vision or even formulate one that will bond theteam.
The coach’s role: Using a coaching approach, managers aim to get the most from their teams’ capabilities. They try to increase awareness and accountability, promoting self-reflection and emotional intelligence. By using coaching tools and techniques a manager acting as a coach wants to let their teams find their own way, path, and solutions to their problems.
The mentor’s role: This is where specialists can help new talents in their roles by sharing their experiences and their wisdom from their career so far. A mentor, same as the coach,can only influence decision making but can also help a new person really excel in what theyare hired to do.
The trainer’s role: As trainers, managers are called to spend time with their teams and teach –tell, show, do, review– them how to complete some elements of the job they are required to do.
It’s important to note that the above various roles require a specific skillset, but the combination of them can achieve the maximum results.
Here is Six tips to take on all these roles at once:
Be yourself. Be honest and always tell the truth. Learn who you are and defend yourself consciously. Show everyone your real self so they can appreciate and (dis)like you for who you really are. Nobody is perfect so if you pretend something you are not, someone will sooner or later notice it. When you remain true to yourself, you’re able to set clear and healthy boundaries. Remember that you only need to assume responsibility for your own actions and feelings.
Be a great communicator. Always communicate openly and make sure everyone understands what you want to convey whether it is a work briefing or your deepest dreams,concerns, and needs. Remember to be a good listener as well. Pay attention to the person talking to you and show self-control and remain calm, no matter what the other person tells you. If you need a break, take it. Remember that asking for help is a sign of strength and not a sign of weakness. You acknowledge that you don’t have everything in order to complete something successfully and you are confident enough to get all the required information.
Build trust. Build relationships based on trust. Talk about your likes and dislikes, your worries, and accomplishments. Be there when someone needs you and encourage them. Show compassion, kindness, and respect, and accept and appreciate people as they are.
Be positive. Keep your positive attitude no matter how stressful or bad a day can be. Lift people up, because we rise by lifting others. Laugh at people’s jokes, respect them, be kind to them with no expectations. Don’t judge or hurt them. If you’re wrong, apologize and show you mean it. Celebrate each other’s victories! Share your knowledge and learn from others. Always focus on people’s positive qualities and appreciate them for who they are and what they offer you emotionally when they are in your life. Remember to laugh and play!
Be reliable. Keep your word and assume responsibility. Admit it if you’re wrong. We all make mistakes, it is not a big deal but make sure that you keep your self-control, and you take actions to fix them. Don’t compromise if something is against your values because it will backfire. And remember: it’s only human to make a mistake BUT to repeat it for a second time, it’s a choice.
Be solution-oriented. Become one with your team, whether it is at work, friendships, or relationships. Solve problems together when you spot them and encourage each other. Stand together against challenges and have each other’s back. Express your gratitude in words and actions. Set long-term goals and ask your teams’ input for any upcoming changes. They know best what works for them.
For more tips and strategies, check out Dr. Evi Prokopi’s books: ‘The Success Playbook: the 8 habits and happy and successful people’ (available in English and Serbian) and ‘Leadership like a Fairytale’ (available in English).
