Helpful managing strategies

In many industries including healthcare, managers are given tremendous responsibilities but all too often little direct authority. This type of atmosphere is extremely frustrating and discouraging for most managers.

Since managers often can’t make demands of the boss or even staff, they need to foster a workplace atmosphere of respect in which problems are solved as a team and the open exchange of ideas or debates is encouraged.

Here are some helpful hints from various authorities in the consulting field.

1. Don’t be a yes man (or woman). To earn respect, administrators must bring their own perspective and expertise to the table — even when their opinions run contrary to the direction the organization may wish to take.

2. Keep your boss out of trouble. Sometimes a manager’s most important task is to help the boss help themselves. If the top brass are all wet on a proposal, try to get them to slow down on the implementation. This is not the same as sabotaging a project.

3. Leave your door open. Stay abreast of both morale and sentiment among your staff. Good managers are always checking the pulse of the office.

4. Don’t interfere. Its one thing to be a team player, but stepping in to do another staff member’s job too often sends a message (inadvertent though it may be) that you don’t trust your staff to get it right. Pinch-hitting also confuses customers, patients, and employees, inviting repeat requests for similar “quick favors” down the road. One consultant said “Do it once, and it’s a favor, do it twice, and the job is yours.”

5. Be responsive. When the boss calls you with questions or concerns, respond to them quickly. Even if you don’t know the answer, it’s important to call the boss back and tell them you’re working on it. It’s always appreciated — and often, it relieves any pressure they may have felt.”

6. Invite input. In larger organizations, be sure to involve both everyone the strategic planning process.
Bosses often consider implementing new equipment or procedural changes that could affect other departments without input from some of the end users. If a company is going to grow, it needs everyone to be part of that growth. In any size company, everyone’s opinion matters; each staff member has unique insights into how the company might work better.

7. Don’t rush hiring decisions. When hiring for any position, it’s important to pay attention to any gut-level warning signs you may perceive, despite the pressure you may feel to quickly fill the vacancy. Don’t settle for mediocrity.”

8. Always question strategy. Before undertaking any new project, managers should always ask themselves, “Is the juice worth the squeeze?”