Managing People at Work: Being Approachable, Problem Solving & More

You’ve dreamed of becoming a manager ever since you started your job, but now that you’ve got the position, you’re not quite sure how to make the best impact on your employees. There’s no “one size fits all” model to follow when it comes to managing, which means you’re free to experiment with the strategies that work best for you. In this article, we’ll share must-know tips to help you find your style and create a productive, supportive work environment. Let’s jump in!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Yourself Approachable

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Leaders don’t require titles or promotions, they are people that inspire and motivate without regard to the setting or the team.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Interview. 5 June 2019.}
It makes you approachable and it helps you maintain perspective.^{[2]
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Research source} Don't take yourself too seriously. Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time.^{[3]
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Research source}

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They are not resources and they are not human capitol. They are people with families, feelings, and problems. It is not possible to separate work from home life. Be aware that people have personal lives and do the best you can to be sensitive to them. Treat everyone as your equal regardless of their title or position.^{[4]
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Research source} Remember to smile a lot and always maintain a pleasant demeanor.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Traits of Good Managers

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Know the strengths of your team as well as the weakness and allow for improvement.
“By failing to plan you plan to fail.” Set long and short term goals.^{[5]
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^{[6]
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Research source} When asked for your opinion, you should have it well thought out and present it persuasively. You should not waffle or stall. For big decisions, set a deadline, and have the decision by that time. If someone offers an argument that convinces you to change a decision, acknowledge it and embrace the new idea completely.^{[7]
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Your actions and reactions must be consistent. You don’t want to be the type of manager that everyone asks what kind of mood you are in before they approach you with an issue.
You must remain flexible to change directions, change rules, and change resources to remain competitive.
Put them in writing whenever possible. Solicit feedback from the people you are leading. Know what they expect from you. Address any discrepancies immediately and clearly.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Interview. 5 June 2019.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Problem Solving

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People gravitate toward solutions oriented individuals.^{[9]
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Simply accept the things you cannot change and do not apply any energy to them what-so-ever. Then, focus all of your efforts on the things you can change. Action oriented people are always sought after and successful.
It is your job to make sure that their incentives match your goals. For example, if you pay a bonus for people to produce a higher number of pieces, don’t be surprised if quality starts to suffer in favor of volume.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Interview. 5 June 2019.}
Managers frequently have access to more information than other employees. It is imperative that you never betray the confidence of the company, your manager, your peers, or your employees. Be sure that people can confide in you.
Take your time hiring good quality people. Have several people interview and do thorough background checking. But, when you have a disruptive personality or person who fails to perform you need to take all steps to get rid of them as quickly as possible.^{[11]
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Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

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How Can I Be a Good Manager?

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Question

What's the difference between a leader and a manager?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

A leader's main goal is to inspire people. A manager just wants to push people in a specific direction. It's just a different perspective. In most cases, you want to inspire others, but there are certainly times when you need to just actively manage.

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How can you inspire people to do better?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

Vocalize and demonstrate. So in terms of vocalization, you need to communicate effectively. Make your expectations clear, give out praise when people perform, and provide feedback when necessary. In terms of demonstration, make sure that you're carrying yourself the way you want your team to carry themselves.

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What should I be doing if I'm kind of hands-off as a manager?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

I think it's important to remember that feedback is really important. Even if you're kind of hands-off and you're happy with your team's performance, it's important for them to know that as well.

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Tips

Never tell someone that something is impossible. Anything is possible given enough time and resources. You should always answer, “These things would have to happen, and it will take this long and cost this much”.

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Address issues directly. Don’t become a policy manager. This happens when you have one person on your team who sends more personal emails than they do work emails so you create a department policy that you cannot use work computers for personal email. Everyone gets punished for one person’s abuse. Instead, address the issue directly with the person who is abusing the privilege. Let them know they are abusing the privilege and if it doesn’t stop immediately disciplinary action will be taken.

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When confronting someone, be sure to focus only on their actions. Typically when someone is confronted they will react as though it is a personal attack. By focusing on the inappropriate action it will help you keep the conversation more professional

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Warnings

Remember that you will never control people or events. In fact the only thing in your life that you control is your own actions. Use your actions to motivate and to inspire. Don’t waste your time trying to control people. It cannot be done.

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Being aware that people have personal lives does not mean you should ever get involved with their personal lives. Focus on your business relationship while keeping in mind that people have personal lives to attend to is your best bet. Avoid giving advice about personal and relationship issues.

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Don’t be afraid to admit you were wrong.^{[12]
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Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

Go to source} Everyone makes mistakes. You will eventually make them as well. When you do, admit it and learn from it. Making mistakes is always acceptable. Repeating them is not.

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