Managing a Team of Direct Reports vs. Managing a Team of Managers

As a business grows, the owner faces the challenge of managing an increasing number of employees. When the company gets too large to manage everything directly, the owner must delegate responsibilities to managers. Managing managers, rather than direct reports, presents unique challenges.

Challenges of Managing a Team of Direct Reports

Managing a team of direct reports is challenging because it requires strong leadership skills. The manager must be able to motivate and inspire their team while also ensuring that everyone is working towards a common goal. Additionally, the manager must have a deep understanding of each individual plus the team's strengths and weaknesses to assign tasks effectively.

Skills Needed for Managing vs. Practitioner

Being a successful manager requires different skills than being a successful practitioner or "doer." Managers must be able to delegate tasks, provide feedback, and develop their team members' skills. On the other hand, doers must be able to execute tasks quickly and efficiently.

Challenges of Transitioning from Doer to Manager

Many people struggle when transitioning from being a doer to managing other doers. The skills required for success in each role are vastly different, and not everyone has the necessary skills to make the transition. There are two types of managers, those who were promoted and those who were hired. Both face their own set of challenges. Those who were promoted from within the company often struggle with the transition because they may not have the necessary leadership skills. They may also face challenges when managing their former peers. On the other hand, those who were hired from outside the company may struggle with the company's culture and may not be familiar with the company's products or services.

Identifying, Hiring, Training, and Developing Managers

Identifying, hiring, training, and developing managers is another challenge for business owners. It can be difficult to find candidates with the necessary skills and experience. Once hired, managers must be trained to be effective leaders and given opportunities to develop their skills.

Identifying Managers

Identifying managers is the first step in building a team of managers. Business owners need to identify employees who have the potential to become managers. The following are some traits to look for when identifying potential managers:

• Good communication skills

• Strong work ethic

• Ability to work well with others

• Leadership potential

• Willingness to learn

• Experience in the industry

Hiring Managers

Once potential managers have been identified, the next step is to hire them. The following are some tips for hiring managers:

• Look for candidates who have experience in the industry

• Look for candidates who have a track record of success

• Look for candidates who have good communication skills

• Look for candidates who are a good fit for the company's culture

Training Managers

Once managers have been hired, they need to be trained to be effective leaders. The following are some tips for training managers:

• Provide them with the necessary tools and resources

• Provide them with the necessary training and development opportunities

• Provide them with feedback and coaching

• Encourage them to learn from their mistakes

Developing Managers

Developing managers is an ongoing process. The following are some tips for developing managers:

• Provide them with challenging assignments and projects

• Encourage them to take on new responsibilities

• Provide them with opportunities to learn from other managers

• Encourage them to pursue continuing education and professional development opportunities

Why Letting Your Managers Do What They Think Is Best Is A Horrible Idea

While it may be tempting to let managers do what they think is best, this approach is a recipe for disaster. Without clear guidance and oversight, managers may make decisions that are not in the company's best interests. The following are some reasons why letting managers do what they think is best is a bad idea:

• Managers may not have all the information they need to make informed decisions

• Managers may not have a clear understanding of the company's goals and objectives

• Managers may not have the necessary skills and experience to make the right decisions

Best Ways to Manage Managers

To manage managers effectively, the owner must communicate expectations clearly, provide feedback regularly, and hold managers accountable for their team's performance. Additionally, the owner must ensure that managers have the resources and support they need to be successful. The following are some best practices for managing managers:

• Communicate expectations clearly

• Provide feedback regularly

• Hold managers accountable for their team's performance

• Provide managers with the necessary resources and support

• Encourage collaboration and communication between managers

• Encourage managers to develop their leadership skills

• Establish clear lines of communication between managers and the owner

Conclusion

Managing a team of managers presents unique challenges for business owners. To be successful, the owner must have strong leadership skills, be able to identify and develop talented managers and provide clear guidance and oversight. By following best practices for managing managers, the owner can ensure that their business continues to grow and thrive.