The author, Nick Wake (Head of Marketing Communications, Grass Roots), takes the reader through his experiences of developing as a people manager and that his key learning is that the most valuable function of being a manager is to enable talent within the team to flourish. 
His story covers his ideas, thoughts and experiences on good management which include:
– getting the right people in the right places and giving them the chance to do what they do best.
– get the right ‘doer’s’ in the right place, help them develop and get them working as an effective team.
– not confusing managing people with seniority or levels of reward.
– recognising that the most important business relationship for the people in your team is with you.
– understanding what motivates each individual and using that knowledge intelligently.
– understanding that professional aspirations will vary and is an important context for individual development plans.
– helping people to understand their part in the bigger picture.
– having the ability to adopt different styles for different people in different situations.
– making time for your team.
Key tips:
- Ask for feedback: Admit your mistakes. Learn from them. Say sorry. No one is perfect.
- It’s okay to be friends with your team, but that can’t influence your professional judgement. Treat everyone equally and against the same set of principles.
- Thieve the best you see in other managers. It’s perfectly legal.
- Admit to your managerial weaknesses. If your team know you know them, they will be more forgiving, especially if you work to address them.
- Be honest, and don’t make promises you can’t keep.
….manage all of the above and you may earn the badge!
