“The best management advice I’ve been given” (part 2)

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Following on from part 1 of this piece, we hear more management nuggets that have helped members of the HR GO team... 

“Set and review goals regularly”

“When I asked my rugby coach John Moroney, who’s an ex-Irish Rugby International, what I needed to do to get in my county rugby team, he taught me about setting goals (short-, medium- and long-term), making an achievement plan, working the plan and revising it regularly.

The plan included improving fitness and speed, honing core skills and increasing overall stamina. And it worked!

I now set and review goals regularly both for career and personal development. I believe that if managers agree goals and help to formulate plans with their staff they ensure focus, motivation and retention.”

Tom Murray
Recruitment consultant HR GO

“You have two ears and one mouth for a good reason”

“Three months into my first sales job as a trainee estate agent over 20 years ago, I was still to get my first sale.

My manager pulled me to one said and told me: “You talk a good talk and I think you talk too much. This could come over as being desperate – overselling if you like. Remember this: You have two ears and one mouth for a good reason. Use them in proportion and you’ll begin to see the difference.”

It’s true: the more you listen to your customers, the less questions you have to ask. And just over a year after being given this advice, I’d achieved the best sales figures in Kent and went on to achieve promotion!

Now I’m managing your own team I still keep this in mind. Asking for their opinions on issues - and then really listening - not only makes them feel included and valued but is also a great way to get another perspective and solve problems.”

Tony Lock
Branch manager, Dartford

“Don’t ask anyone to do anything you haven’t done yourself”

“My mother’s given me lots of good advice over the years, including this piece of management advice when I became a  manager for the first time 20 years ago: Don’t ask anyone to do anything you haven’t done yourself, or aren’t prepared to do.

When Diana, Princess of Wales, died in 1997 I was working for an event hire company. My team had a last-minute booking to provide toilet and shower facilities in Hyde Park for the funeral. I remember working for four days with only a few hours a day rest preparing everything with my team.

It was important to lead by example and show solidarity, and I like to think they respected me more for that.”

Debby Clayton
Managing Director, HRGO Northampton Ltd

“Delegate!”

“Probably the wisest piece of advice I have been given is ‘DELEGATE!’ which my ex director, Jo Anne Smith, gave me.

I know it’s very simple, but it’s probably one of the most important things in my role. Not only does it allow me to get on with other tasks but it also helps those around me learn new skills.”

Lee-Ann Powell
Branch manager, Ramsgate

“Don’t come to me with a problem…”

“When I went to a previous boss saying ‘I have a problem’, his reply was ‘Don’t come to me with a problem, come to me with a solution’.

This has stuck with me ever since, so whenever I raise any problem with a manger or colleague I make sure I also have potential solutions up my sleeve.”

Emma Smith
Senior administrator, Canterbury