Manager Effectiveness: How to Develop the Mindset of a Successful Manager

Successful managers know that being effective is more important than being right. To be successful in their role, they are continually looking for ways that most efficiently get them the results they want. This “effectiveness” mindset is what sets them apart from their peers.

What is a Manager Effectiveness mindset?

A manager effectiveness mindset is essentially applying a growth mindset to your role as a manager. At its root, a growth mindset is about being open to learning and growing, no matter what your experience may be. A manager effectiveness mindset, at its root, is about continually evaluating the results you’re getting from your efforts and assessing if there’s a better way to get them. Managers who adopt an effectiveness mindset are always looking for ways to improve their performance and grow as managers.

Why should I adopt it?

When it comes to management practices, there are countless theories, philosophies, policies, and procedures to instruct you on what to do.  However, effectively using those management practices can’t be learned by just reading books, going through courses, or simply applying HR policies/procedures. It’s up to you as the manager to work out how to best apply those practices to your unique work and team situation. This is for three reasons: 1) you know your team and work best, 2) teams and situations change continually, and, most importantly, 3) as a manager, you’re accountable for the work being done.

By getting into the habit of self-assessing how well your management practices – goal setting, performance conversations, 1:1 meetings, etc. – get the results you’re looking for, you set yourself up for success.  A mindset that focuses on effectiveness – “Am I getting the results I want? What could I do differently to get better results?” rather than “Am I doing it right” – helps you as a manager to adapt to the continually changing work environment.

How to develop a Manager Effectiveness mindset

Developing a Manager Effectiveness mindset doesn’t have to be hard or require a lot of effort. There are several ways to go about it. The one I use in my workshops is founded on the methodology created by BJ Fogg, Ph.D., a behavior scientist at Stanford University, called Tiny Habits.

Step 1: Start Small. As Michael Franti sings, “Start small, think big …” Start off really small. I suggest starting by simply thinking two questions to yourself: “Am I getting the results I want from my team?” and “What could I do differently?” You don’t need to answer the questions … you can if you want to ……, but for now, I just want you to think about those two questions.

Step 2: Find a Good Spot. Think about your daily routine – is there a spot in your routine where it would be easy to create that mental space to just pause and think about those two questions? Maybe when you’re getting your tea/coffee in the morning? Or riding the bus? Or walking to the train? Choose a specific event in your existing routine where it’s easy for you to give yourself the mental space to think. This event will become the “anchor” to which you’ll attach by creating space in your daily routine.

Step 3: Write It Down. Next, write down steps 1 & 2 on a notecard or post-it note, using the following structure:

After I (insert spot from your routine), I will ask myself, “Am I getting the results I want from my team? What could I do differently?”. So yours might look like this:

After I take my first sip of coffee/tea, I will ask myself, “Am I getting the results I want from my team? What could I do differently?“ or

After I take my sit down on the bus, I will ask myself, “Am I getting the results I want from my team? What could I do differently?” or

After I take my first step outside toward the train, I will ask myself, “Am I getting the results I want from my team? What could I do differently?”

Step 4: Perform … and Stretch. Do the action that you wrote down when you said you would and, immediately after asking yourself the question, do a little stretch. It doesn’t have to be a huge stretch (although it can), just enough to feel gooooooood. As strange as it sounds, this stretch is an important part of rewiring your brain to make this habit stick.  After you do the stretch, if you feel like it, spend time answering the questions. If you don’t feel like answering the questions, don’t worry about it.

By following these steps, after a short period of time, you will be in the habit of continuous assessment of your managerial practices, which is the foundation of manager effectiveness. If you struggle, Inter-Actions Development Group is here to help. Learn more about our Manager Effective Training, or contact us for one-on-one management coaching. To learn how Mark and his team can help you personally, reach out to us on our contact page.