People Management is an Art

People management is an art. Before you start engaging your team professionally, it’s important to engage personally. If a person feels well connected with you as a leader on a personal level, they might become a self-driven engine, and you, as a leader, will need to put in only minimal effort to provide strategic guidance. Here are a few key pillars of effective people management:

1. Trust Your Team

As a leader, you must trust that your team is capable. I've seen that once you show empathy and confidence in your team, even non-performers will go the extra mile to deliver results. Trust empowers your team members, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

2. Judge by Action, Not Only by Outcome

Many managers make the common mistake of using a single standard to measure all team members, which doesn’t work. Focus on the actions taken rather than just the outcomes. Recognize whether a person is taking the right approach. Outcomes may improve over time, but actions often reveal the potential and growth mindset of your team members.

3. Paint the Full Picture Before Asking to Start Delivering

As leaders, we often keep the full picture in our minds and ask for specific deliverables from the team. However, if your team doesn’t understand the complete scenario, asking them to deliver a solution is unfair. Ensure that your team has a comprehensive understanding of the problem before assigning tasks. This clarity helps them align their efforts with the broader vision and contribute more effectively.

4. Real-Time Appreciation

Typically, we tend to appreciate people only for significant achievements or outcomes. However, as leaders, we should adopt a practice of real-time appreciation. Small acknowledgments can lead to real-time results because an appreciated person can do a much better job than usual. Regular, genuine appreciation boosts morale and encourages continuous improvement.

5. Focus on the Positives

Every team member has strengths and weaknesses. Focus on their positive attributes and leverage those strengths for your business deliverables rather than dwelling on their weaknesses. Encouraging and utilizing their strong points can lead to better performance and a more positive work environment.

In conclusion, mastering the art of people management requires personal engagement, trust, fair judgment, clear communication, timely appreciation, and a focus on strengths. By adopting these principles, you can create a motivated, self-driven team that requires minimal intervention, allowing you to focus on strategic leadership.