The internet is full of management and leadership advice; it’s as if every day there is a new article about how you’re doing things wrong or right. Whether you’re a manager or aiming to be one, we’ve just saved hours of your precious time by compiling the 11 best management advices into one article. Any listicle is sure to contain some of these gems.

Real, lasting improvement begins from the self. So we’ll start with that:

Manage Yourself

1. Communicate Better

Whether verbally or in writing, be concise and clear to get your message across. A handy rule is: if it’s important, make it personal. Communication skills get better with practice and feedback so communicate regularly and give meaningful feedback. Communicating expectations is also crucial to working efficiently. Not just to your team, also communicate with your bosses and peers, even other departments.

2. Time Management

This is truly your most limited and valuable asset. The better you manage your own time, the better you’ll be able to delegate others. Protect your schedule and your thinking time to achieve efficient work instead of rush work. A frazzled manager is no help to the team! Ensure there is follow-through and prioritization, have focus and be very selective so you won’t get drowned by trivial things. It takes insight to know what’s really important, and insight can be improved with time.

3. Be the Gold Standard

Manage ethically and responsibly. Your subordinates are always looking to you, so don’t be a hypocrite! Your exemplary behavior will set the bar for the rest of your team. Participate actively in professional associations to widen your circle of influence and authority. Be a role model of integrity and accountability to engender trust from your team. Instill confidence and inspire followers by having a clear vision and being a strong coach. Don’t just take responsibility, take the steps to make things right.

4. Delegate, Don’t DIY

Don't end up like this guy...

This is a tough task for new managers especially: resisting the urge to do or solve things yourself because it’s faster or easier. That may be true, but remember your job is to manage. If you have to invest the time in training or coaching others to complete tasks as efficiently as you do, then do that; the payoff will be better in the long-term. Delegate both responsibility and authority to truly discover your peoples’ capabilities.

5. Reflect to Improve

Take a pause to think about the efficacy of workplace processes: what would you have done differently? Or better? Often, opportunities are disguised as problems. Are you missing out by not giving deeper thought? Do you still love and obsess over what you do? Constantly push to be bigger, better, and greater. At the same time, know when to stay the course and when to abandon it. Remember that some things are better left alone.

Manage Others

6. Be a Good Listener

As a general rule: listen more than you talk. Listen actively, stay engaged and be attentive. When those you are speaking to feel heard and appreciated, they will be more engaged and loyal as well. Remember to be available, present, and accessible; make time for one-on-one meetings with direct reports.

7. Motivate

In essence, the way to motivate is simple: find out what they want, then figure out how you can give that to them for doing what you want them to do. Showing appreciation, especially recognizing their work in front of others, should also be a priority. It’s more important to stop de-motivating employees with bad policies and poor management strategies. So be optimistic, your positivity can keep the company going.

8. Empower

Advocate for your team and provide them the resources to succeed. This is especially important for ambitious employees: provide opportunities to enhance their skills, to challenge themselves, try new things or learn new skills, and to make decisions. Having star performers do the same tasks repeatedly, just because they’re good at what they do, could mean you’re losing out on the long-term benefits of their personal development.

9. Expect Excellence

Offer the best of yourself, and expect as much from others. With well-conceived and measurable objectives, you can set the bar high (but not unreachably high) for your team. Once people recognize your high standards, they will strive to achieve better. Do keep an open mind, however, and be flexible if necessary. Remember that expecting the best from others does not mean expecting them to be just like you: surrounding yourself with yes-men won't get you anywhere.

10. Resolve Quickly

Don’t let problems, conflict, and issues fester, even minor ones. Whether its office politics or interpersonal issues, don’t avoid it but act quickly to resolve it. This shows you are observant; employees will respect your prompt action. Identify the root causes of problems and help your employee work through it, don’t be tempted by quick fixes. 

11. Build Bridges

Lastly, build genuine rapport and connection with other teams and departments; be willing to help them out so that you can ask for their help in return later. Put the company’s best interests before individual or department goals. Especially for start-ups, you should be committed to investing, developing, and maintaining great relationships. Keep this up even with people who are exiting your team; you never know when you'll need them again in future.

Sources: David Sirota, Louis A. Mischkind, Michael Irwin Meltzer, Why Your Employees Are Losing Motivation, http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/5289.html

F. John Reh, 10 Things to Do Today to Be a Better Manager, https://www.thebalance.com/ten-things-to-do-today-to-be-a-better-manager-2275746

Victor Lipman, 6 Fundamentals That Can Make You a Better Manager in 2014, https://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2014/01/01/6-fundamentals-that-can-make-you-a-better-manager-in-2014/#57e295d324cc

Peter Economy, 55 Ways to Be a Better Leader, http://www.inc.com/peter-economy/55-ways-to-manage-better.html

Adam Bornstein, Jordan Bornstein, 22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/270486

Rob Cahill, 10 of the Biggest Mistakes New Managers Make & How to Avoid Them, https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/new-manager-mistakes/