My first exposure to a management handbook happened during my first job as a client service associate at a large global advertising agency. The head of the account I was assigned to would start every quarterly meeting with a list of his expectations. While the tenured team members would chuckle under their breath upon hearing it again, there was no misunderstanding of what was expected whether you were brand new or a veteran. This stuck with me as a valuable lesson, so I used a similar approach during my twenty years of managing people and leading teams.
As an entrepreneur or small business owner your attention is squarely centered on running the day-to-day operations in order to make your business successful. There are constant issues to be addressed, decisions to be made, and fires to be put out.
You also have employees and team members who have signed on to aid in your success. They may be clear about their job or role within the company, but are they clear about your management approach? It’s easy to make the unwitting assumption that your team knows what you want and how you like to work. Unfortunately this can lead to frustration, misunderstandings and inefficiencies. Clearly communicating your management approach can go along way in keeping your business running smoothly.
The six benefits of having a management handbook:
1. It forces you to reflect and think about how you like to lead, manage, and interact with your team.
2. It eliminates the unknown and provides transparency for your team.
3. It will dramatically shorten the “getting to know you” phase with new employees.
4. It will demonstrate humanity by engaging with your team directly. This should be delivered in person and allow for discussion.
5. It will set the tone for the culture you want to create.
6. It will prevent communication missteps and miscues.
What should be included? Here are some suggested topics:
· Communication: Do you prefer in-person, text, email or phone? Does is vary by situation? For example, in-person during the day but if it’s an emergency, text. Do you expect an immediate response if you send an email during the weekend or is next business day appropriate?
· Involvement in a project once initiated: Do you like regular updates or only at key milestones?
· Mannerisms: Do prefer quick hallway chats or long sit down conversations?
· Process information: Are you more of a cut to the chase person or do you like background and history?
· Feedback: Do you provide on-the-spot comments or at scheduled intervals? Are you open to receive feedback?
· Flextime: What’s your point-of-view on working in the office vs. working remotely?
· Team interactions: Are you more comfortable one-on-one or with groups?
· Pet peeves: These can be the little things that just drive you crazy.
Preferably, your management handbook should be one page and reflect your personality. A way to start is by creating a Top 10 list.
This leadership tool is beneficial for you and your team. With some reflection, you’ll have a deeper sense of your management approach and what’s most important to you. Your team will spend less time second-guessing what you want and more time achieving goals and desirable results.