People Management: Definition, Importance & Tips to Succeed

People management is all about leading and supporting the people you work with. It’s a key aspect of Human Resource Management (HRM), which focuses on helping and guiding employees to make the most of their performance and well-being.

But why is people management so important, and how can you become the best manager you can be? Read our article for tips on succeeding as a people manager and more!

 

What is People Management?

As briefly mentioned before, people management refers to the process of supporting and overseeing a team in the workplace.

But what is meant by people management, and what does a people manager do? You may be wondering, ‘What’s the difference between a manager and people management, isn’t it the same thing?’. No, they aren’t the same; they are similar but different.

A manager is a job role and refers to someone responsible for overseeing tasks or teams, whereas people management is a skill set. It’s how a manager or leader supports their team. People management responsibilities include:

• Helping team members produce their best work
• Solving problems
• Providing feedback
• Motivating team members
• Managing performance

So, what do people managers do? Simply put, they are responsible for all things related to people. Whether that’s onboarding or developing team members, people managers are responsible for all aspects of this.

 

Why is People Management Important?

There are many reasons why people management is important; after all, people are at the heart of any successful business:

• Improves employee performance: Good managers work with other members of their team to help them grow and perform to the best of their abilities.
• Reduces conflict: It is a people manager’s responsibility to identify issues early on to avoid bigger issues further on.
• Improves employee retention: When employees feel seen, supported and valued, they are more likely to stay at a business.

These are just some of the many reasons why people management is important… the list goes on! However, if a business didn’t have people management in place, it’s more likely to face issues, such as:

• Low productivity
• Decreased motivation
• Higher chances of conflict
• Reduced performance
• Negative employee retention

This is why it’s so important to have good people management in place at all times. In fact, a study shows that 69% of employees would work harder if they felt their efforts were better appreciated.

 

How Can You Become a Good People Manager?

If you want to become the best manager you can be, you need to be prioritising the well-being and happiness of your employees. Here are some key tips to help you succeed as a people manager:

 

1- Lead by Example

A good people manager sets the standard through their actions, which is why it’s important to always set a good example.

Say, for example, there was a rule of no phones during work hours, and if an employee sees you on your phone, they will think this is okay and start to do it themselves.

You wouldn’t be in a position to tell them to put their phone down because the rule should apply to everyone, not just employees.

 

2- Understand Your Team Members

As a people manager, you must be able to understand your team members. This is important as it allows you to connect with them on a personal level and understand their strengths, weaknesses and what motivates them.

Doing this allows you to personalise your approach to each team member, ensuring that they perform to their fullest potential.

 

3- Communication is Key

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful business. As a manager, you need to be able to clearly share goals, ideas, feedback and suggestions with the rest of your team. You can do this through 1- 1s, regular meetings or check-ins.

Communicating regularly with other team members allows you to stay up to date with their progress, identify any issues and come up with solutions to the problems.

 

Key Management Skills

Now that you have a better understanding of what makes a good people manager, let’s explore the skills associated with them:

• Communication: The ability to communicate effectively with other employees.
• Leadership: Being able to lead by example to the rest of the team.
• Empathy: Understanding and supporting other members of the team on a more personal level.
• Decision making: The ability to make decisions that will benefit the company and other team members.
• Adaptability: Being open to any changes.
• Motivation: Being able to remain motivated even in tough situations and provide other employees with motivational support.
• Feedback: Providing employees with constructive feedback to help them grow.
• Conflict resolution: The ability to handle conflicts in a calm and effective manner.
• Delegation: Knowing when and how to assign tasks to other team members effectively.

All of these skills are what make a good manager. So, what are people management skills, and how can you improve them? Keep reading to learn more!

How Can You Improve These Skills?

People management skills focus on building strong relationships with other members of your team to help you create a positive working environment.

If you’re aware of the skills that make a good manager but feel you could benefit from some extra support, you’re in the right place. Here are some ways that you can improve your people management skills:

 

1- Attend Coaching Sessions

Business coaching is a great way to help you grow and progress as a business and individual. It can help you identify areas of improvement, what you are doing well and give you an insight into your management style.

Coaching sessions can help business owners and leaders to become better, more confident and successful in what they do, such as improving their people management skills.

 

2- Ask for Feedback

You may think that as a manager, people ask you for feedback, so why would you ask others for feedback regarding your performance?

The truth is that successful leaders are open to learning and growth, and what better way to grow and improve on your skills than asking others for feedback and taking it on board. There are many ways you can do this, such as:

• 1-1s
• Surveys (these can be anonymous)
• Check ins
• Simply asking questions

Doing this allows you to get a better understanding of your team’s outlook on your performance, what you’re doing well and what you can improve on.

 

3- Listen to Podcasts

Many people learn in different ways; however, if you find you’re more of an auditory learner, you may find listening to podcasts helps!

For example, ‘Coaching for Leaders’ by Dave Stachowiak is a great podcast which is ideal for managers looking to improve their management skills. Some other good podcasts include:

• The Manager Tools Podcast
• HBR IdeaCast
• The Look and Sound of Leadership

All of these episodes can be found on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Improve Your People Management Skills With MOVE

At MOVE, we offer a wide range of services to help managers grow both personally and professionally.

One of the services we offer is business coaching. Our coaching sessions can help you become a better leader while ensuring you and your business are on the right track.

Business coaching can help you improve your communication skills, achieve long-term success and gain a new perspective. We can help you identify what you are doing well and any areas you could improve on.

So, if you want to become a better team leader, consider our business coaching sessions. For more information on the services we offer or to speak to a member of our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

We look forward to helping you grow as a people manager!

 

Key Takeaways

• Understanding your team is important if you want to improve performance and build relationships
• Communication is key if you want to stay connected with your team members
• Good managers prioritise well-being and lead by example
• People managers are responsible for all things related to people