Common management problems and how to overcome them

Having a managerial position is both rewarding and challenging. Not everyone will be given a chance to have this position. This is why management roles are often viewed with high admiration. Some even consider the managerial role their dream career, which is understandable because being a manager comes with great advantages. But apart from the rewards, it also brings it’s fair share of difficulties.

They said – “with great power comes great responsibility.” And as a manager, this is one of the things you should firmly believe in. Your power to lead can significantly contribute to the success of the team. Seeing your team grow as people and witnessing their wins is one of the most rewarding feelings you could consider a personal achievement. However, leading your team to success is not plain sailing. You will most likely face several challenges related to productivity and communication. And you have to have the ability to recognise these problems and adequately deal with them.

So, to help you in your management role and improve your leadership skills, I have curated the most common challenges managers face along with the most effective ways to overcome them.

Lack of communication

One of the most common challenges managers face is lack of communication. Since every team member has a different personality, miscommunication can happen more often than you can imagine. Furthermore, the hierarchy of positions can make some employees shy away from talking to you. 

Establishing that you are there to help them with their concerns and are not there to invalidate them is one way you can solve miscommunication correctly within your team. They have to know that they are safe with you and are welcome to approach you whenever they face difficulties.

Moreover, increasing the frequency of communication will allow you to gauge what your members genuinely want. Through this, you can build a good rapport with your team, making it easier to tell them what you expect. You may also consider implementing a messaging platform for the workplace that will allow everyone to be contacted quickly and conveniently.

Performance issues

With today’s fierce competition within businesses, performance problems will surely be a very challenging issue to deal with. Competitors can quickly sweep in and steal your thunder if your team is underperforming. Therefore, you need to identify the root of the problem quickly. Is your team having a hard time dealing with their tasks? Are they experiencing personal issues that seem to affect their work performance?

Knowing the root causes of their underperformance can help you develop ideas on how you can help them overcome it. However, while you are in the process of dealing with performance issues, you have to find the balance between getting the results you need and not damaging your relationship with your team. Although the competition outside is tough, you must be patient and firm with your members.

In addition, you also have to monitor your member’s actual performance compared to your goals as a team. Doing this can help you spot any problems early on and provide constructive feedback to avoid any other issues that might arise. However, if their performance does not improve, following up with a clear and fair disciplinary action is necessary.

Firing employees

Managers have a lot of challenging roles to take, and firing an employee is one of those. There is no easy and comfortable way of letting go of an employee. And this will never be easy, no matter how much experience you have.

To overcome this, consider letting go of an employee as a last resort.  It’s important to salvage your team members through additional coaching, training or adapting your leadership style. For example, you could set up a one-on-one meeting with the involved employee and discuss how their behavior or work performance is not meeting your expectations and put in a performance improvement plan.

If all else fails and you have to let them go, it's important to be honest. Provide a clear explanation of why you have to let them go. Give them details on where they lack and commend them for what they have done well. This way, they can have a guide on how to improve themselves for their next role. On the other hand, if the employee is being laid off, as a manager, it is your responsibility to share any useful resources that can help them in their transition.

Motivating your team

A smooth sailing managerial experience only belongs in dreams. Going through failures is an inevitable part of the journey when you push through with your goal to succeed. Not every day will be an exciting one in your career – some days might be filled with problems, while on other days, tasks can become monotonous. And there are only two results of this – burnout or team members questioning the need for specific processes.

When this happens, a manager must reevaluate the goals of their team. You must check whether your presentations are encouraging a curious environment. Building curiosity among your team can help them think outside the box. Try to learn the individual goals of your members and help them achieve those. Guide them to see the value in their work and establish that their work contributes to the company’s overall success.

Resolving conflict

In a diverse team, conflicts can sometimes be unavoidable. And these rifts can cause tension throughout the whole team. Unresolved conflicts can quickly affect your team’s productivity and morale. This can even escalate to unimaginable results, such as top performers leaving the company. As a manager, it is your role to nip any conflicts in the bud even before it becomes a bigger concern.

While it is understandable that being a mediator in a conflict is difficult, it is a role you must take on. And when doing so, you must avoid any biases. You have to listen and understand the issue from all the parties involved before taking action. Some conflicts can lead to more innovative thinking and solutions. However, you must nurture it before it becomes destructive.If the conflict is personal, as a manager, you have to step in before it affects their relationship and the rest of the team. One way to navigate this is to remind your team of your company’s values. Evoke a culture of respect, trust, and positivity among them. Be the voice of reason among your team members

Improving your leadership skills

Every day, managers will be presented with different challenges and never-ending responsibilities. Therefore, you must remain steadfast and level-headed to take on these challenges. A great way to navigate these obstacles is by trusting your members as much as they trust you. Moreover, seeking guidance and leadership development courses for managers can help you improve your skillset as a leader.For more leadership tips, you can check Corporate Learning Solutions’ website at www.corplearn.com.au/blog.