8 Hard Truths About People Management That No One Told You

Everyone knows that you have to be an excellent manager to lead a successful team, but what are some hard truths not talked about as much? This blog post will share eight hard truths about people management that you should be aware of if you want to be a successful leader. From letting things go to people moving on, these hard truths are the things that will help you manage your team successfully. So read on!

There is no such thing as a perfect employee

Managers are constantly striving to find the perfect employee to join their team. The fact is there is no such thing as an ideal employee. It is only what fits best with you and your other team members. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, which means that no one can be an expert in every field. Similarly, no matter how hard you try, one of the biggest hard truths is that you’re never going to have an employee 100% compliant in every situation. The right way to approach this puzzle is to look for different pieces that fit together. It is not about finding the perfect employee. It is actually about creating the ideal team that delivers on your objectives day in and day out.

You can’t please everyone

Managing everyone in your office can be challenging, especially when you constantly try to please everyone. But, actually, it is futile. Not all people in your office will appreciate your efforts, and that’s okay. It’s important to remember that not everyone will be happy with everything you do. Even if you try to do the right thing, that doesn’t mean everyone will be pleased with your decisions. Sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions to make the office run smoother overall. What you need to keep in mind is what are your team’s objectives and how you are achieving them with your team. The second most important factor is are you and your team having fun, growing, and learning while achieving those objectives or not.

You can’t hold on to what’s harming the business

If you’re still clinging to ideas, practices, or people harming your business, it’s time to let go. You may be attached or too invested in these ideas, techniques, or people, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid how these are harming your business. There’s no point in clinging to something that’s not working, and you’ll only end up with more frustration on your hands, or you’ll lose too much money, time, and energy for your organization. When it comes to people management, it’s crucial to be brutally honest with yourself and let go of anything not serving your company or team. If necessary, find a new solution that’s better aligned with your business goals and objectives.

It is entirely your responsibility to make it work

People management is one of the most challenging roles in any organization. It is your responsibility to ensure that the people under your command are productive and satisfied while meeting deadlines and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You are the one who has to make sure that everyone on the team is working towards a common goal and that they are all acting in line with company values and policies. It is entirely your responsibility to make it work, and there is no one else to take the weight off your shoulders. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to go about it, seek help. With a little effort and luck, people management can be successfully executed by anyone willing to put in the hard work.

People Management is not about giving orders and expecting people to follow them

It is always important to remember that managing people is not about giving orders and expecting people to follow them in management. People management is about working together with your team to achieve a common goal. This is where communication and coordination come into play. To effectively manage people, you must be able to listen to them and understand their concerns, and then work on a solution that satisfies both parties. Managing your team this way leads to a sense of trust and team cohesion, which are essential for success in any endeavor.

People always move on

No matter how hard you try, people will always move on. It is a harsh reality that you need to learn to cope gracefully. Inevitably, your team will eventually depart. Whether it’s because of a change in job, significant differences with you, or because they’ve got a better opportunity outside. You might think you can keep them around by giving them the best salary and benefits package in the company, but that’s not going to work for long. While it may be a tremendous discomfort to see them go, it’s important to remember that they are free to do what they want, and there’s nothing you can do to stop them. The best option you can choose is to honor their decision and work hard to create a positive environment that will attract new talent.

You can’t control everything

It is something that we, as humans, like to think that we can control everything around us. But the truth is, there are many things that we can’t control. We need to learn to live with that. Especially in the case of people managers, they eventually believe that everything, i.e., every person, idea, and practice of their team, should be under their control. They aim to have complete charge of everything but sometimes reality bites. You can try your hardest to control everything, but in the end, you’ll eventually fail due to various factors. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to delegate and let go. Delegating tasks and responsibilities allows you to focus on the crucial things. It leaves the rest up to the right people. By being proactive about delegation, you’ll be able to manage your time more effectively.

If you can’t communicate, you can’t manage

If you can’t communicate with your team, you can’t manage them. And if you can’t manage them, you can’t achieve your goals. Effective communication is key to effectively managing a team. Without it, you will find it difficult to set clear expectations and motivate your team members. Not only that, but effective communication also enables you to resolve conflicts and manage conflict effectively. Finally, effective communication also leads to better teamwork and a stronger relationship between leaders and their teams. So, you need to understand that if you are not good at communication, you can not be good with people management.

Conclusion

As a people manager, you will inevitably face challenges and problems with your employees. However, the most successful managers are the ones that can navigate these challenges and keep their employees happy. While it is impossible to please everyone, the key is to focus on the success of the entire team, not just one individual. By reading these eight brutal truths of people management, accepting them, and working on them, people managers out there can overcome the challenges they will face in their careers and become better leaders.