WHAT TO DO WHEN ON TOP?Feljone G. Ragma, Ed.D.

TIPS:•1. Never ever think and say you will be on top

forever.▫Having this thinking will not help you become a good

manager. Saying this to your people will create animosity.

•2. Listen; but, be able to discern what is right for the majority.▫When members of the organization voice out

something, welcome them. Never get tired of them. Listen to whatever they will say; but, point out to them that everything will be studied first before any decision is made. When decision is reached, inform the members of the organization and explain to them why such proposal is taken or not considered.

•3. You can always delegate; but, be sure direction and follow-ups are given.▫People can be given tasks based on their abilities and

interests. But never overdo! Give guidelines and explain to them what must be seen as an output. When their task is done, never forget to say thank you and honor them for their accomplishment. Give credit to whom credit is due.

•4. Be tact, candid but truthful when giving feedback or evaluation.▫People in an organization always want to know how

they fair in the performance of their job. But, be very true to them. Never overdo praises and criticisms. Based evaluation on how they perform. You can compare their present evaluation to their past, especially when improvements are seen. But, when performance is declining, focus more on how you can help the employee do more.

•5. Keep things confidential.▫Performance evaluation, records of salaries and even

problems shared by employees should never be divulged nor be used as an example to clarify things. These things have to be kept confidential to protect the employees. If you are successful in keeping things confidential, trust and credibility to the employer is earned.

•6. Never impose trust; earn it!▫As a person in authority, it is expected that people

follow you. But the trust and loyalty are not to be expected. This has to be earned from your dealings with your people. Earning trust and loyalty is developmental in nature, so wait but do something!

•7. When people need to be reprimanded, do it right away; but, in private.▫Scolding an employee in front of his co-employees

result in embarrassment. Do the reprimanding in your office so he can also say his side. End up with a solution to help him.

•8. Be friendly; but, delineation has to be emphasized first.▫When you are just beginning as manager, establish first

your image as a manager- a person whom they can trust, emulate, follow and respect. After that, earn their band to ease up the barrier between you and your people. Do this in a manner that professional work relationship is not affected.

•9. Be knowledgeable and never fail to update.▫Always think that people cannot follow someone who

does not even know what to do. So plan, study and anticipate what will happen next. Be the direction and never become the person to be directed.

▫Attend trainings or attend advanced classes so that concepts on how to go about the organization will be enhanced.

•10. Be focused and lead everyone to be focused, too!▫Managers should always stick to what the company is

achieving. The manager, therefore has to concentrate on how the company goals can be achieved and how the plans can be realized. Meetings and follow-ups can be done to monitor or track down their status. Never assume that they know; always inform!

•11. At the end of the activities, always do evaluation. If budget is sufficient, you can celebrate.▫Evaluation is the key on how things can be done better.

Let everyone participate so they can have a share on the company’s dream. In this way, the employees will own the dream of the company they are working for. At the end of the work, you can celebrate a little bit and extend thanks to everyone.

•12. Take care of the employees as you take care of the company.▫Always remember that the employees are the

lifeblood of the company. Without them, the company ceases to exist. Look into their conditions, salaries and the like. Consider their needs based on the capabilities of the company. If their requests cannot be granted, explain to them the reasons. Be very honest. Explain also to them how the company can grant their request in the near future by presenting plans.

•13. Be a visionary leader.▫You should know what must be done today and what

can be done for the next years to come. Have plans and envision how the company can face struggles or go about changes and challenges.

In short,•To be a manager is never easy. You are the central

thinking unit of the organization. You are there to lead, guide, motivate and ensure that everything is in order so that company goals are attained. Once you are unclear to them, employees loose their trust in you. They might even underperform or leave the company. But, once you lead them to the right path, employees will support and give you their very best, without even asking them to do so!.