Managers: be predictable

We tend to think of being predictable as boring, but there are times it’s good.  

The best managers are predictable and here's why. Predictable means your team know what you want and need from them. They can stop guessing about what they should do and start focusing on the best way to do it, their own way. Good for you, good for the team and good for the business. 

How can you deliver these benefits to your team and business? Start by doing these three things:  

Explain your decisions - when you promote someone, hire from outside of the team or make a call about a way forward, don’t assume anything. Explain as clearly and as fully as you can why you’ve taken this path. As managers you are often privy to more information and attend meetings that the team don’t. Your experience may see something in the situation they don’t. By explaining your thinking, they be able to understand the ‘why’ and what they may need to take on board if they want to be promoted into a role like yours.  

This transparency will also build trust. 

Say what you want to achieve – don’t just tell someone what you want them to do, explain what you’d like to achieve. If they just do a task without knowing what the aim is you’re not engaging them in the work. Explain what the work is and what good looks like – they can then make up their own mind the best way to do this and importantly, they will get to know what issues to flag with you.  

Speak about pressures – tell the team about the situations and issues that cause you concern. For example, it maybe when you have a big meeting with the Board or have been asked to do some tricky work by the CEO; let the team know the things you really need their support with. Not only will they know what you need, what your red flags are but they will also see its normal to feel anxious about some situations; you are human too.   

Predictable still boring? 

Want to become the confident manager you can be? get in touch