Most people don’t start a business because they dream of managing people.
They start because they’re good at their trade, service or profession. Then the business grows and, before long, they’re responsible for hiring staff, managing performance, handling conflict, supporting people’s wellbeing and making difficult decisions that affect both individuals and the business.
Often, with no formal training in any of it.
As part of Mates4Life’s recent Workplace Supervision Pilot, delivered with support from Hastings District Council, we found that people management was one of the most common topics discussed by those in leadership roles.
That’s not surprising. Managing people is one of the hardest parts of running a business. Every person is different, every situation is different, and there’s rarely a single “right” answer.
We asked Mates4Life General Manager Tyson Ataera to share some of the lessons he’s learnt through his own leadership journey.
1. Don’t avoid the hard conversations
Very few difficult conversations become easier by waiting.
If something needs addressing, deal with it early and respectfully. Focus on the behaviour, not the person. It’s much easier to have a constructive conversation about what someone did than who they are.
2. Catch people doing things right
People want to feel valued.
Recognition doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. A genuine thank you, shouting the team morning tea, or simply acknowledging a job well done helps build trust, strengthens relationships and encourages more of the behaviours you want to see.
3. Make your expectations clear
When someone isn’t meeting your expectations, it’s worth taking a minute to ask yourself some simple questions. Have I clearly explained what success looks like? Have I provided enough support and training for the person to do the role?
People can’t meet expectations they don’t understand. Sometimes the issue isn’t motivation, it’s communication, training or support.
4. Remember your team are people first
Everyone has good days and bad days.
Life outside work doesn’t stop when someone walks through the door each morning. Family pressures, financial stress, health concerns and other challenges all influence how people show up at work.
Creating a culture where people feel safe to talk, ask for help and support one another doesn’t remove those challenges, but it does make it easier to navigate them together. That’s where the Mates4Life programme can really help. In a recent survey of our partner businesses 86% felt the Mates4Life programme had helped their organisation have more open conversations about mental health, and 76% felt it had increased confidence to support each other. If you’d like to know more about how Mates4Life can help your business, get in touch at [email protected].
5. Get support before you need it
Leadership can be a lonely job, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to know everything, and make every decision. But there’s a world of support out there – whether it’s formal channels like an employment lawyer, or HR professional, business advisors and associations, or simply other business owners you know.
Knowing which type of support, you need, and asking for help early, can save a great deal of stress later.
6. Remember to look after yourself too
Leaders often spend so much time looking after everyone else that they forget to look after themselves. You can’t always remove the pressure that comes with leadership, but you can make sure you’re not carrying it alone.
Whether that’s talking to a mentor, connecting with other business owners, seeking workplace supervision or making time to recharge, looking after your own wellbeing isn’t selfish. It’s part of being an effective leader.
How workplace supervision can help
Workplace supervision isn’t about teaching you how to manage people.
It’s about giving you a confidential space to step back from the day to day pressures of leadership, reflect on difficult situations and think through your next steps with an experienced, impartial professional.
Sometimes the answers are already there. Having someone ask the right questions can help you find them.
Want to learn more?
This article is part of a series sharing insights from Mates4Life’s Workplace Supervision Pilot, delivered in partnership with Hastings District Council.
If you’d like to learn more about workplace supervision, or explore whether it could benefit your workplace, you can contact:
Andrew McGarrol
Nautical Counselling
www.nauticalcounselling.co.nz
Stacia Jensen
Jensen Counselling
www.jensencounselling.com
Next in the series: Everyone Is Feeling the Pressure Right Now. Four Simple Things That Can Help
