Over the years, many theories have been proposed around the subject of management methods, and many have been refuted by the events of time. However, the methods that seem to hold water, are closely knit around these three: teaching, caring and rewarding/reproving.

They Teach

Every great manager teaches. The skill of carefully transmitting knowledge in a manner that develops your team, is one of the easiest ways to win their hearts. Workers easily interpret the effort to teach them as an interest in their growth and career development; and this is more noticeable among young workers. As a manager, spend some time ensuring that your team understands what is expected of them, you can win their hearts by this.

They Care

For some weird reason, many managers never want to be seen as being caring. Some say it makes them appear soft. Others say it makes their workers perceive them as weak. Friend, you are human when you are kind and show care. Simply asking your workers how they are faring; or how their families are faring, can send a message to them that you care. They may even begin to trust you enough to share their struggles, and from there give you their heart at work. Care… and show it.

They Reward/Reprove

Reward remains the top in getting employees to stay motivated and committed. It sends the message of an acceptable behaviour. This human behaviour dates back to the Operant Behaviour theory developed by B.F. Skinner, where a behaviour is associated with a reward or punishment. Friend, reward your employees. Reward them often. Especially when they do what is expected or go beyond. Reprove them too. Letting bad behaviour slide is the mark of a terrible manager. Reprove too.

Managing people is often tougher than we imagined it to be. But managing engaged and committed people is the easiest thing there is. Therefore, do everything you can to win the hearts of your workers, they will win the gold for you. Try teaching, caring and rewarding/reproving. Cheers.

We work for many reasons, chief of which is earning our living. However, what is the biggest motivation for a good job? Why do you stay back and ensure the job is well done? Remuneration will be a simplistic answer. In my opinion, the first fruit of a good job is joy.

There is fulfillment in doing a good job. Not from the payment you get, not from the praises of your boss or employer, not even from the admiration of your colleagues. It comes from looking back at your result and being pleased.

Friend, this self-satisfying feeling is akin to when God, after creating the universe, looked back and said, “it was good”. Work daily for that juice of fulfillment. Close each day with that feeling that today, I did a good job. Cheers.