Reaching management takes a lot of hard work and focus, to earn the ability to oversee a department or company. However, managers are still team members, effectively the captain of the squad. If you want to be able to stand out in the role, you need to be able to adapt much like a captain would, solving problems effectively and efficiently. Here are some problem-solving tools that will help you keep your office running smoothly while addressing any issues that may happen behind the scenes.

Communication is key.

Without transparent communication, the whole operation doesn’t stand a chance. If you’re timid about tough conversations or worried about being overzealous in your management role, you may want to look into some coaching in the workplace. A good coach will tell you the importance of a long-term action plan that promotes communication regardless of time and distance. Coaching encourages an employee’s performance, as the more time you invest into your employees, the quicker they’ll develop.

Constructive feedback is a great way to provide workers with any ideas you may have to improve performance while complimenting their development in certain tasks and work processes. Being clear on performance makes for a better coach, but active listening also boosts your ability as a mentor to make sure you are understanding where your employees are happiest, and wherein the work environment they may be struggling.

Make your team a united front.

Business success is built on employee retention and making sure as a manager that you’re building a team of talented people who love what they do and feel valued in the workplace. As a manager, you may have to address a wide range of needs, and note-keeping is needed to monitor multiple tasks. A visual bookmarking manager can help your actual performance to stay on top of your team’s tasks, and point out strengths and weaknesses in comparison to an employee’s performance goals.

With specially-designed templates, a bookmarking manager allows for clarity in what you need to accomplish, and what your team needs to tackle. An effective coach will make sure that workflow and outcome align. That means showing empathy to a team member who may be overwhelmed with other tasks while showing a willingness to give a worker who is showing gumption a chance to take on a unique opportunity.

Keep an open mind.

Just because you are the manager doesn’t mean it’s your way or the highway. A standout manager isn’t quick to shut down ideas to help resolve issues. You are a mentor. Curate ideas from your crew, and explore the options being suggested. Do not hesitate to detail the pros and cons of each idea. This transparent discussion is constructive, showing employees you appreciate their efforts on the assignment while laying out a visual as to what may work best. This will help to garner a better understanding of what’s at hand, leading to better performance.

Focus on set principles.

As a manager, what you want more than anything is for your crew to reach their full potential. Affirmed workers are efficient workers, who are proud team members guided on a set ideology and methodology. Keep workers grounded in the present and future, pointing to keywords that will motivate and stress the importance of what’s being done within the office environment. This will set a standard of performance expectations.

When combined with transparent communication, this will allow a team member to feel as though they can be heard if they are reaching certain hurdles in their efforts, or feel like they may be ready for a larger assignment than previously given. At the end of the day, problem-solving is not a given skill, but one that is built up over time to make better managers who develop a personal connection with their co-workers, while striving within the workplace.