As an office manager, you’ll be required to lead your team on, no matter what. It’s ok when things are going well, but what happens when they need a boost? Many managers struggle to know what to do. A true leader, though, can get the team back on course. Here’s how you can learn the art of leadership in office management.
Listen To Your Team
There’s many a team member who feels that their leaders offer orders, but not a listening ear. Remember that communication is a two-way street. You want to have a relationship where if things are going wrong, your team will tell you about it. Make sure your team knows that you’re willing to listen when needed, even if it’s news you don’t want to hear. If you pay attention to what they have to say, you’re showing a lot of respect that you’ll receive back.
Get Stuck In
Even today, there’s still the image of a manager sitting back and letting their team members do all of the work. In this day and age though, you can’t afford to be like that. You’re better most of the time working with people, helping manage projects. Sometimes though, you’re going to need to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in. Whether that’s writing copy or even sending out emails, it’s important for your team to see that you work as hard as they do.
Offer Flexibility
A good leader is someone who recognizes their team’s needs. These days, many workers need some kind of flexibility in their work schedule. If you can offer remote working or flexible hours, do so. The more you can do this, the more your team will thank you for it. After all, it’s your job to get the most out of them. If they’re happy in their role and are being offered the flexibility they need, you’ll see that reflected in the work that they do.
Always Be Learning
Any good leader knows that they don’t know it all. Be open to new training experiences, and keep up with what’s going on in your industry. Doing this means that you and your team can be the first to take up any exciting opportunities, or learn a new and useful skill. It can even be worth taking up a business school admin program to sharpen your skills. A leader who’s on top of their game is a leader worth knowing.
Be Decisive
What fills you with more confidence? Is it someone who hovers over an issue, not sure what to do, or someone who comes in and makes an assessment? You want to be the leader that can make a decision as soon as possible. If you come across a situation and don’t know what to do, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s much better to get an informed opinion before you act, than act without authority and make a mistake.
Set An Example
It’s up to you to set an example to your team. You’re the one modeling the behavior you wish to see from them. Come to work in plenty of time every morning, ensure you do everything that’s required of you on the clock, and generally put the effort in. On the flip side though, ensure you’re modeling a healthy work/life balance too.
Get Trained In Leadership
If you’re not sure if you could be a leader, that’s not a problem. Here at ITI Technical College, we’ve designed an office admin training program that will get you ready for the role. We’ll teach you the basics, as well as more leadership skills such as flexibility and organization. With these skills, you can take on any team and help them develop and grow.
As you can see, there’s more to leadership than meets the eye. With the right skills though, you’re the one to take on the role of leader.
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website: https://iticollege.edu/disclosures/
