Managing People is Hard Work, but It is REWARDING

I always believed that Management was the path for my career.  For some, management may not be of interest, but for aspiring leaders like me, management was the goal, and that desire never waned.   Management meant taking on more responsibility for the business and, above all, for the people whom you lead.  How they perform will directly impact the success of the business.   Being a salesperson and managing salespeople are very different.  An individual salesperson is responsible for his production, while managing salespeople means responsibility for all, requiring time, patience, sacrifices, and perseverance, but ever so rewarding.    It requires building the team, creating an environment to foster teamwork, establishing trust and confidence in everyone, and ensuring that all are successful.   So, what are the rewards?

Aside from the obvious climb up the corporate ladder, I found many rewards along the way worthy of my extra effort.   Here are some meaningful ones.

1.     Developing Talent.  

I always looked at management as a chance to develop people and their talents.   If there is existing talent in the staff, the manager works to enhance that talent, to strengthen that talent, and maximize that talent so that the staff is consistently more productive to help his career blossom.  If talent is not apparent, the manager helps to draw out the talent and provide training to enhance the talent.   Everyone possesses talent, and sometimes it needs a little push to discover it.   Helping people is one of the most meaningful rewards in management.

2.     Working through issues.  

There are always issues at work, and that is inevitable.   Helping to identify the issues and the problems these create is a key role in management.   Being able to help the staff resolve the problems and guide them forward with suggestions and solutions is something I look forward to every day.   If I can go home every day and say that I helped a staff member overcome an issue or difficulty, that is a reward worthy of my time and effort.

3.     Succession Planning.  

Successful managers are constantly seeking ways to prepare their staff for a promotion.   Throughout my career, one of my management goals was to prepare my staff to be ready to take over my role, to have someone ready at any time if the opportunity arises.    If I have a candidate ready to move up, it will mean that I could move up myself.    If I don’t have someone ready to take over, I may never have a chance to be promoted.  To witness the growth of an employee and guide his advancement is a meaningful experience.  Knowing that I have played a part in helping staff and contributing to their career advancement is what management is all about.

4.     As we manage, we gain trust and confidence in ourselves and those whom we manage. 

This is a reward that money cannot buy.   It is self-fulfilling and can identify ourselves as true leaders.

5.     I have said this to my salespeople many times: “I don’t have to like you, but I must get the best and most out of you.” 

There is a tremendous sense of pride for ourselves in this achievement, and it is another true reward of management to be able to accomplish this. 

Think about your career.   Are you getting similar rewards in your role as a manager and leader?