All businesses, whether they be a mom and pop general store or a multinational conglomerate, require judicious and agile management. The administration of your business is often akin to conducting a well tuned symphony. There isn’t a company on the planet which doesn’t have room for improved business management.

Management can be compared to the game of chess. The basic rules and tenets can be learned in a week, however mastery often takes a lifetime. Leadership is both an innate and learned talent. Some of us are born leaders. Others require much study and practice to assume the mantle of being a business executive.

Although the buzzwords have evolved from “winning friends and influencing people” of the early 1900’s to todays “social networking”, the core tenets of management have remained surprisingly similar and simple. Experts and pundits dress it up within catchy phrases and slick powerpoints. However, the most important elements of managing can be derived from simple common sense. The first obvious, but little followed, rule is to put yourself in the shoes of your employee.

Popular kids on the playground are able to relate to and empathize with others. They are able to assume the view and perspective of those around them. This trait is almost always present in leaders of great businesses. It is impossible to decipher the correct way to properly motivate a given individual if you are incapable of identifying their particular wants, needs and drivers. Those who remain self focused not taking into account the outlook of the other party are not destined for successful management careers.

It may be cliche, but the adage of “leading from in front” exists for good reason. Commerce can be analogous to battle, and in both scenarios the troops will fight hardest for the leader who has garnered the most respect and admiration. This most often results from the leader exhibiting the willingness to get into the trenches with his troops not viewing any task too menial. Many managers operate in an ivory tower. They are aloof and detached from the daily grind of their staff. Common sense portends the fate of such executives.

Communication is critical within any corporate setting. Most of you reading this have experienced working for a boss who was less than ideal in terms of communicating with employees. Significant time and resources can be squandered when your team proceeds in the wrong direction because you failed to effectively communicate the game plan.

The realm of management most dreaded by many executives relates to when employees don’t fulfill your expectations. Many managers are at one extreme end of the spectrum or the other when it comes to this arena. Some are extraordinarily harsh and unduly mean. This creates fear, which perversely many managers desire. However, I challenge you to identify a famous successful manager who was more feared than he or she was respected. Other managers are at the other extreme, unable to mete out any discipline whatsoever. Neither end of this spectrum is desirable. Striking the medium being able to properly motivate and reinforce correct behavior amongst staff is an art learned over a lifetime in business management.

One is never done studying management. There is always something else to learn. Today, the Internet provides for a wide palate of resources geared to both the new as well as experienced manager. Obviously, as always, one should exercise sound judgment when selecting which guidance to follow. A book or web site titled “U 2 Can Lern Businessmanagement” is probably best avoided. In addition to written material, often the best resource is a trusted mentor who can guide you through the various traps and riddles all managers face at one time or another during their tenure.

There are many available resources for managers seeking to expand their knowledge base. Today, many of these are online at no charge. There are also many books, ebooks, guides, and videos well worth their cost. A mentor who can guide you through difficult times can also prove to be a critical resource. The most important first step is recognition on your part that there always exists more to learn and to keep your mind open to new ideas and philosophies of business management.

Tags: Business

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