The number one attribute to being a successful Manager is to have passion. You need to help shape and drive the culture of your organisation, as well hold yourself accountable for what you want to achieve. Without passion, this is an impossible task. You are in a leadership role and it is perfectly natural to feel like you aren’t fulfilling on your leadership responsibilities sometimes, particularly during difficult or pressurised times as we are experiencing now. Yet, these are the situations in which effective leadership is even more important.
Each day in the life of a Manager is different and you never know what is going come through your door from one day to the next.
To succeed as a Manager, you will need to have the following key competencies:
flexibility
adaptability
empathy
sympathy
energy
diplomacy
tact
approachability
Management v Leadership. They are completely different activities!
A manager will make sure everything needed to keep the practice running is available. They set objectives, direct, create processes and need to be goal-orientated without losing sight of the need to look after their team. Their focus is to:
Administer
Maintain
Rely on control
Have a short-range view
Ask how and when
React to change.
A leader will inspire and set the right example. They focus on the vision, keep the practice moving forward, and connect with the people and teams. A leader’s focus is to:
Innovate
Develop
Inspire trust
Take a long-range perspective
Ask what and why
Create change.
Support and Delegate
It is worthwhile delegating some regular tasks, staff appreciate your help and support in all areas of the practice and if you are visible throughout the day, this certainly goes a long way to helping the staff feel appreciated too.