I want to know how difficult is a manager's job. If you are one or are working under one, can you tell me how you handle people or you get handled?

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I am in 4th year of engineering. We need to do one Major Project.

We have three members in our group. But I am the one leading, as both of them did not give the required attention whenever it was required.

So, what I do is, distribute work almost evenly. But they don't do the work with the finish. But they do it. So, I need to tell them quite diplomatically, and with patience to do it this way and that way.

Is this how managers need to behave in the professional world? Because, if they do, then, they must need so much energy for themselves. As, this task alone, is quite exhausting to me.

I lead two other projects in the previous semester. It was the same. Near constant contact maintenance with my group members.

Good thing, I did not do the work myself in the end. In frustration.

[NathanDavis]

been a manager and owner for a while...

and right away I should tell you... if University tasks are exhausting for you, a real work is going to be at least 25 times harder and way more challenging

and this is just one of tasks, I would mention that probably, the most frustrating thing is that, the mistakes of others are always going to be YOUR mistake, as the manager, bosses, if you have them, clients, customers... will always blame you and demand/expect for you to take care of it and that is something you cannot avoid because YOU are the manager, so...

so I think it would be worth for you to consider one thing... over time, has it become more frustrating? or less frustrating? because if you find yourself getting more used to it, and you seem to find more ways to handle things even if just a bit better, then that is a positive thing

but if you see it and feel it increasingly frustrating and difficult, that might not be a good thing at all

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I am more relaxed now than I was in the last semester. I am getting used to it. I noticed it now that you said it.

It is less frustrating now. I figured, I just need to have a clear picture in mind for the project, patience for others to complete their own work and mine. And if something is not up to expectations, then patiently tell them how and what to do.

I think patience, and speaking skills matter more here. Any tips other tips here?

[NathanDavis]

that, is a good great thing yes... and moreso if you're able to see a clear difference between the first and last projects, so a very good thing there already

another thing I've noticed to be vital is balance... balance of expectations on how you see those who work with you (by the way, I've always liked to see it this way, although I am their superior, I do see them as my coworkers and them, working with me and not just for me)

not only see them as workers that have to be up to a task and therefore having a certain set of skills and potential to develop (it should be on you that they develop that potential for better or more skills) but also see them as the people they are, individuals... and by this I mean their personalities and also their character, as well as some of their current personal circumstances (like family, health issues, social background, etcétera)

why is this balance very important? because one thing managers should do is to properly and efficiently delegate, those tasks at work should be going to the ones who will do it best, sure... but you also have to give others chances sometimes, so they can get better at certain things, and you also should consider that sometimes they will not perform at their capabilities for whatever reasons

a classic example of this is... those people who you do not get along with personally, or you just "hate them" or "they hate you" but... you're both able to keep those things aside and be professional and you still get the job done... or many times there is no confrontation, no tension, but there is an indifference lmao

as a manager, it is best to find the ways to juggle around with all these traits, and that, so you can lead the team and all efforts towards completion of tasks, and work... a work well done

and maybe you have noticed these things already, as in University... you do not always pick your team, but they are assigned to you

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

This was amazing! Yes, I have been in groups where complete indifference was seen. That group was ice cold. But hey, gave me what needed, the grades!

Expect only till the known capacity of people. Maintain a balance by knowing your coworkers both professionally and somewhat personally. And also try to improve their skill sets by assigning them new tasks. The rest is up to them. Also, do not expect top performance sometimes.

What you said will really help me out. And anywhere, I mean. I guess everybody gets managerial roles, personally/professionally at least one time in their life. What you said was helpful, insightful and amazing.

[Andres77]

Leadership skills.

Make sure a task is understood, supervised and completed to standard.

Authority is supported by legitimacy (you have the right to task others) and the ability to enforce you're decision (governments have courts, tax enforcers, police and the military). Managers have the right to fire those that don't comply with policy.

Making sure (subtle is preferred, so they don't feel like ur a bully) the workers understand the task and the timeline and the consequences for substandard performance upfront is absolutely essential.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I need to be absolutely diplomatic while talking with my group members (not only this present one but all the groups in the past 3 years), as many of them were my friends. I always told them and even got guided by some amazing group leaders throughout.

I also learnt from them, these amazing leaders. Three people as my leaders, one guy and two girls. The guy was ice cold but got the grades.
Of the girls, one was super awesome, and she got placed at Morgan Stanley India as a Data Analyst. She will be handling confidential documents now. They made her sign something, she told us.
The one was in the exact between these two leaders.

I learnt at least something from all three of them.

[Andres77]

Awesome, we can learn something from everyone... even if it's "how not to do something".

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Deinitely!😅

In fact, I tend to focus on that side of coin which is actively ignored by most people. 'What not to do'.

But I try to balance both.

[Googlemyahoo]

If someone under me isn’t doing their job I tell them. Then if it continues they get warned. Then written up. Then disciplined.

If they want to fuck around I give them a repetitive menial task below their skill level & their isolated from coworkers. Usually they’ll quit problem solved

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

And what if they don't quit?

[Googlemyahoo]

None have

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

You must be a really good manager. The way you know what to do. Although it may just be a specific set of steps, but still.

[Googlemyahoo]

Many people overestimate their abilities these days primarily because the education system just pushes everyone through & tells them they’re doing great ! Instead of telling them like it is. Which is what I do if they fuck up. Usually if I just blast them once they smarten up.

Put them in a situation that requires moderate problem solving they fold, start crying, blame me for not helping etc.

See what we do lets say you’re new. The person your with has an evaluation sheet. At the end of the week they check off what you can & cannot do or struggle with. Next week you’re with a different person who fills the sheet out. After 3 weeks you get an approximation if they’re fucking useless.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I am at a loss for words. This is amazing! Quite good. The evaluation may also be showing you the learning curve of a particular candidate, I suppose?

[Surely]

Sounds to me like you are being taught to micro manage. Which depending on the personality of the individuals. Is a good or bad thing. Some people, like myself, like to be given a work assignment and left alone. Others want to be told what to do every step of the way.
As for me personally. Give me the assignment, leave me alone. But be available if I have a question. Hopefully you will know the answers!

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I 100% agree with you.
I don't like to micromanage. I myself prefer to be given a task once, explained what is to be expected clearly, and then left alone.
But the thing is, I need to do what you called micromanaging only for those people who do not work actively. And that too with the finish. I need to point out small-medium mistakes they do. Not taking the calls, being offline when the projects are just on deadline. Different varieties are there as many students are there.

I work actively. I do not like being micromanaged.

[Surely]

Then take the lead. If one of the team members seem to pick up on what is going on. Let them take that part and run with it! Then you stand back and watch.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

We did that for all the projects from the start. But I was not a group leader at that time. So I did not notice it at that time. But I am now recalling what the group leaders did at that time. So I am not without help, you can say.

Happened exactly what you said.

[Surely]

You need to spread the workload around or you will drive yourself insane.
I worked for a lot of supervisors in four decades. Some good and some very bad!
Good luck!

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Thank you, sir! I will definitely be sure to remember it.

[Jamie05rhs]

I've been a trainer, but I haven't been a manager. I suppose it's just general leadership and organization skills.

I have been a club leader before, and it was kind of a hassle. I feel like being a manager would be easier, because you can actually MAKE people do things as opposed to just giving suggestions.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Making people do things is surely a very good thing or right as opposed to just being able to gove suggestions. The latter gives the other people a choice to do work or not.

[Jamie05rhs]

@The_Shadow_Dweller Exactly!

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

And when a group is created out of misfits, the one who cares need to do all the work lol.😅

[Jamie05rhs]

Well, try your best to get the others to buy in and invest in the project.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Mine is sorted. It is even completed.😁👍 I was referring to other groups.😂 They are just amazing.

[Jamie05rhs]

Okay; nice! 👍

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I am leading just a group of 3 people. How does it feel to be a trainer? Do you feel any pressure in that role?

[Jamie05rhs]

Oh, no. No pressure at all! I find it both invigorating and inspiring. I love teaching.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I think I do too! But I have far less experience, so I can only guess at this point.

[Jamie05rhs]

@The_Shadow_Dweller Cool. 😎

[OlderAndWiser]

The difference in your situation is that you did not have the ability to fire your team members.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

That is true. But honestly, college just makes us do so many projects in so little time. Everyone is just wanting to complete it. Nothing else.
But you are right.