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60 March | 2023 the involved parties to reach realistic resolutions, casting light on perspectives and ideas that can improve business performance. "Focus on solutions, not the problem," advises Tosh. "Concentrate on commonalities, the future and negotiation rather than on differences, the past and emotion. Emphasize process, not content." 10. Do you behave in a professional manner? Titles empower obedience; behavior earns respect. "A leader's actions are far more important than their words," says Tosh. "People listen to talk, then watch the walk." A manager's words and actions must be consistent in order for them to be believed. And they must also conform to the company policies and practices that have been championed by top leaders. Any deviation from them can create distrust. "When we lead by example, our actions need to be consistent with our words," Tosh emphasizes. "No matter what we say or how we ask others to behave, our actions will always serve as the truest indicator of our priorities." Mastering Skills How well have you mastered the 10 skills described in this article? Find out by taking the quiz (left). Your answers will help you draw a self-improvement road map. Bear in mind that effective management is a process rather than a destination. Managers must continually learn new approaches and techniques to create environments where employees perform at peak levels. "People often make the mistake of feeling they have it made as soon as they are promoted into supervisory positions," Goruk remarks. "ey stop learning and start coasting. And then they fail as effective managers." In contrast, managers who make a concerted effort to improve their leadership performance end up creating motivated employees and greater profits. "Some people are born with competencies that make it easier for them to be leaders," Tosh notes. "But most people need to get some experience and training under their belts. e good news is that leadership is learnable. All it takes is an individual who wants to succeed." How well do you manage people? Score yourself on each of these 10 skills. Obtain guidance from the corresponding sections of this article. Total your score, and check your rating at the bottom. 1. I listen well. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 2. I communicate company priorities clearly. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 3. I delegate effectively. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 4. I challenge employees to set reasonable performance goals. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 5. I inspire my employees. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 6. I encourage employees to contribute ideas. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 7. I take a personal interest in my employees. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 8. I coach employees to rebound from performance shortfalls. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 9. I resolve conflicts in a productive way. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 10. I behave in a professional manner. Never: 0 Seldom: 4 Often: 8 Regularly: 10 WHAT'S YOUR SCORE? • 80 or more: Congratulations! You have gone a long way toward mastering the essential skills of management. • Between 60 and 79: It's time to fine tune your managerial practices. • Less than 60: Your business is at risk. Act on the suggestions in this article. Te Your Management Skills Design

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