Today in the business world, change is ubiquitous. Managers will have to motivate and support four different generations (Baby Boomers nearing the end of their careers, Generation X, Y, and Z).
We must 'juggle' between management of the how much, the how, and the why. Managing emotions now plays an important role in the art of leading a team. In short, if there is one skill that becomes essential in management, it is adaptability.
- Emmanuel Deso
The 'Coach Manager' vs the 'Chef Manager'
Not so long ago, in the corporate world, we all had a 'Boss' and very hierarchical structures. The boss would dictate what to do, held the knowledge, and the power. Today, knowledge is just a click away, employees rarely consider spending their entire career in the same company, and they need meaning. The manager must be able to listen, explain, convince, support, and help their team grow. Their role is increasingly that of a 'coach' rather than just a 'boss'.
Knowing Yourself to Manage Better
How do you work on your management style in a constantly changing environment? It starts with knowing yourself better. Initially, it's about understanding your own behavior. This helps identify if you're more inclined towards reflection, action, or relationship. It also helps perceive how you convey messages and translate them into action.
Understanding behaviors also helps identify the 'style' of each team member, enabling effective communication in various situations. The manager then becomes aware of their 'natural' management style and their 'adapted' management style.
Activating Employees through Motivation
Adaptability isn't just about behavior. Knowing what motivates your employees helps understand what drives them into action. With this understanding, managers can nurture identified motivation by finding ways to fuel this 'motivational difference' in every task assigned. Identifying each employee's driving force also provides leverage beyond salary to motivate them.
Adaptability Equals Good Management
A manager with deep self-awareness can better perceive their environment, including employee types, challenges, etc. This equips them to anticipate and adapt to changes effectively. They maintain the ability to instill the desire to invest and thrive. For this, a manager must first learn about their team to transform and even transcend this desire.
And What About Productivity?
When our employees enjoy what they do, they take pleasure in doing it well, and results follow suit. They become productive because they are in harmony, in 'sync' with their mission. A manager doesn't control the results or the context, but they can influence the level of activity and the commitment their employees put into it. It's a process that may take time and require stepping out of the conventional paths.
Intelligence is above all the ability to reserve a maximum of freedom of action.
- Alexander Wissner-Gross
Crédit: TTI Succes Insights France.