What Great Managers Do? Part-2

24 Jun 2025

What Great Managers Do?

Part-2

Penulis: Muhammad Idham Sofyan, S.E., M.M.

A closer look at the three tactics:

  1. Activate Employees’ Strengths

The ultimate trigger for activating an employee’s strengths is recognition. But each employee plays to a different audience. So, tailor your praise accordingly.

If an employee values recognition from…
His peers
  • Publicly celebrating his achievement in front of coworkers
You
  • Telling him privately but vividly why he’s such a valuable team member
Others with similar expertise
  • Giving him a professional or technical award
Customers
  • Posting a photo of him and his best customer in the office

 

  1. Tailor Coaching to Learning Style

Adapt your coaching efforts to each employee’s unique learning style:

If an employee is… Coach him by…
An “analyzer” – he requires extensive information before taking on a task, and he hates making mistakes
  • Giving him ample classroom time
  • Role-playing with him
  • Giving him time to prepare for challenges
A “doer” – he uses trial and error to enhance his skills while grappling with tasks
  • Assigning him a simple task, explaining the desired outcomes, and getting out of his way
  • Gradually increasing a task’s complexity until he masters his role
A “watcher” – he hones his skills by watching other people in action
  • Having him “shadow” top performers

 

Folks, that’s all. Take pleasure in reading it. I’m hoping it helps.

Source: HBR’s ten must reads on managing people (2011)

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