Five elements of successful management

Because management plays such a big role in how successful a business is, it is important to understand the elements that create successful managers. The following is a look at the five elements of successful management, and how you can better incorporate them into your daily management efforts:

1. Define the desired results. While employees often seek to achieve the results their boss, manager, etc. want from them, it is not easy if they are not clear. A successful manager never leaves any doubt in the mind of their team as to what they are looking to achieve, and what the desired results are. Goals are clearly laid out, and discussed as a group, and expectations, responsibilities, etc. are always very clear.

2. Set the guidelines. A successful manager lets their team know what they want, but also what the guidelines are for achieving those goals. The conditions that must be met, things that need avoiding, as well as how to go about it, what measurements are used, etc. What is wanted, and how it is to be achieved should not be left to chance, but should be clarified for employees.

3. Clarify available resources. Next, a good manager will recognize that in order to achieve objectives, employees will need resources such as time, money, man power, equipment, etc. They will clarify what resources will be available, how those are to be used, and make sure that each employee has the things they need in order to gain success. If resources are not provided, success is extremely difficult to come by.

4. Hold accountable. A successful manager holds employees accountable for their work. They are expected to reach certain goals in certain time frames. They are expected to measure up to a specific degree. They are expected to come to work ready to work, and put in a full days work. And, they are held accountable for all of these things. The goal is not to ride rough shot over your employees, but rather, give them responsibility and freedom, with measurements, metrics, and evaluations that are clear, and set.

5. Define consequences of both success and failure. Everyone should have consequences for their actions, and a successful manager makes sure that the consequences for success and the consequences for failure are clearly defines for their team members. If a person's job is at stake, for example, that needs to be abundantly clear. If they could get a promotion, they should know. Basically, help them understand that you are responsible for them, and there will be consequences attached to failure, and rewards attached to success.

Be demanding of yourself and of your employees, expect high performance, and set the stage to receive it, and that is exactly what you will get. You have to empower people, and provide them with the right tools, but if you do so, you will see your employees and your business succeed far more readily.