Essential Management Principles
You may already be familiar with Henri Fayol’s 14 principles of management, the “universally accepted guidelines for managers to do their job according to their responsibility.” (1) If you Google “management principles” this is, indeed, what you will find.
These principles do cover off all the major areas of responsibility for a manager.
When I reviewed these principles though, I felt something was missing. The reference to the workers was very top down and viewed as just another resource to be managed.
What if we changed the point of focus from the manager to their people?
What would happen then?
Let’s see what that does.
You are the manager. Your people are the most important resource you have.
Your people deserve the following from you:
To be paid for the value of their work.
Clarity around roles and how their work contributes to the mission and the larger vision.
The space, tools and systems required to perform their work effectively.
Health benefits and access to leaves and accommodations that support their health and wellbeing and enable them to work.
The right balance of structure provided through clear policies, procedures and expectations and autonomy to perform their work using their unique skills and expertise.
To be safe at work, both physically and psychologically.
To work with a team that functions well -- one that has each other’s back.
A manager who is aware of themselves and others, and knows when they are at their worst and when to take a break before taking action.
Your trust. You need to earn theirs.
Compassion and honesty -- facts, not myths, and how these facts impact each team member, their work and their team.
Recognition for meeting expectations and exceeding expectations, and recognition to be given in a manner that respects the wishes of each employee.
To be heard -- and be allowed to ask questions, raise concerns and make suggestions.
To know when things aren’t working, be given a chance to share their side of the story and be supported if this is a learning opportunity as opposed to a systemic problem that needs to be addressed by you.
Opportunities to learn and grow.
Support for their own management of their career development.
To be treated with dignity if this role or team is not the right fit for them, with acknowledgement of their skills and abilities.
What would you need to do differently if you put your people first?
Let me know If you would like some help to be the best manager you can be.
Resources:
iedunote.com. 14 Management Principles by Henri Fayol. Retrieved from https://www.iedunote.com/14-management-principles-henri-fayol on May 16, 2020. “Henri Fayol, a French industrialist, is now recognized as the Father of Modern Management. In the year 1916 Fayol wrote a book entitled “Industrial and General Administration”. In this book, he gave the 14 Principles of Management.”
Photo: Tammy Brimner/TLBVelo Photography
