“If I bring a bad day home, it affects everyone.
I don’t want to put that on my daughter.”
Being a manager is one of the most challenging roles in business. While many aspire to be leaders, the reality of managing a team can be daunting. Effective management requires a balance of enforcing rules, handling gray areas, and maintaining professional relationships without getting too personal. In this blog post, we delve into the insights and strategies shared by Shakira Johnson, who manages 15 women at the Center for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in NJ.
Key Points on Effective Management:
Consistent Rules for Everyone:
“Everybody must follow the rules. The rules apply to everyone, from top down.” Shakira emphasizes the importance of applying rules equally to all team members. While there can be gray areas, the core policies should remain clear and consistent.
Handling Exceptions:
When dealing with exceptions, such as personal emergencies, Shakira advises using logic and fairness. “If it’s above my pay grade, I escalate it. Once I give it to my superior, then I’m done with it.”
Dealing with Rule Breakers:
Shakira ensures that rule breakers are dealt with by the appropriate authority. “Rules are rules. It’s not personal. All the rules apply to everybody.”
Professional Relationships:
Maintaining professional relationships is crucial, even if you have personal friendships with colleagues. “I don’t take work home. When I pick my daughter up, it’s straight to dinner and homework. I don’t have time to think about work at home.”
Managing Team Dynamics:
Orientation and Expectations:
New hires should go through a thorough orientation to understand how things operate. Setting clear expectations from the beginning can avoid misunderstandings.
Addressing Unethical Behavior:
“If someone engages in unethical behavior, I report it, even if it causes temporary tension. My superior trusts everyone she hires and fights for them, but if something is unethical, I have to escalate it,” Shakira explains. This ensures that ethical standards are maintained.
Balancing Friendships and Management:
While it’s possible to have friendships at work, Shakira stresses the importance of keeping professional boundaries clear. “Rules are not personal, and they should be applied fairly to everyone.”
Balancing Work and Personal Life:
Shakira practices a strict separation between work and home life. “When I pick my daughter up, it’s straight to dinner and homework. I don’t have time to think about work at home. If I bring a bad day home, it affects everyone. I don’t want to put that on my daughter.”
Decompression Strategies:
Developing strategies to decompress after a stressful day at work is essential. “I take a shower as soon as I get home to create a mental separation between work and home life. My family knows to give me space during that time.”
Delegation and Support Systems:
“I delegate responsibilities to my family so I can focus on work when I’m at work.” Shakira ensures that there are support systems in place for managing family responsibilities.
Advice for Aspiring Managers:
Professionalism Over Friendships:
“You don’t have to be friends with everyone you manage. Your primary role is to implement rules and ensure policies are followed,” says Shakira. Keeping a professional demeanor helps maintain respect and fairness.
Communicate the Importance of Rules:
Shakira believes in explaining the reasons behind rules and policies to ensure everyone understands their importance. This clarity helps in maintaining a disciplined and ethical workplace.
Consistent Management:
Being consistent in how you apply rules and handle issues is crucial. “This consistency helps build trust and respect within your team,” Shakira advises.
Conclusion:
Effective management is about balancing professionalism with empathy, enforcing rules consistently, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Shakira’s insights and strategies provide a valuable roadmap for navigating the complexities of management. By implementing these strategies, you can lead your team to success and create a productive, respectful, and supportive work environment.