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The Most Important Lesson Every Manager Needs To Learn to Motivate Their People
Most people aren’t good managers.
Typically people become managers because they’re good at their day-job. Once they have direct reports, they realize that management requires a ton of skills they don’t have. Without training or self-education, many will find themselves entirely unequipped.
That’s one reason bad bosses are so prevalent.
But there’s hope — managing well is a learnable skill.
I’ve been lucky to observe some highly skilled managers, and even luckier to be directly managed by some. There is one key thing they all do differently. It leads to a variety of consequences for increasing motivation and productivity.
Here it is:
Great managers believe in their direct reports and they show it
It’s dead simple.
They believe in what their direct reports are capable of.
I don’t mean naive or misguided wishful thinking — “I believe you can complete this financial model” when the person doesn’t have the skills.
Instead, they establish a realistic belief in their reports’ true abilities. More importantly, they convey that belief over time. One…
