The distinction between working for a leader and working for a manager

The fact exists that sometimes when employees leave organizations, they are not quitting on the company, but rather their bosses. This fact is often hidden under the piles of other reasons during the exit interview process, or during a new job interview process. People know not to talk bad about their previous employers as it might hurt the chances of landing their new dream role.

The following are the main distinctions between a manager and a leader.

The difference between controlling and influencing

Leaders influence, motivate and empower towards the effectiveness and success of the organization, whereas managers direct and control employees towards accomplishing that goal. Leaders see problems as opportunities and think of solutions, together with their team. They excite their people and focus them to solve problems and excel. On the other hand, managers formulate strategies, policies and methods and get their people to execute to reduce unnecessary risk to get the tasks done.

The difference in the personality styles

Leaders usually come with great charisma, and are not risk-adverse. They encourage risks and usually will go against “status quo”. Managers take on the more rational, realistic approach and are control problem solvers. Their main focus would be on how to accomplish the goals and coming up with a structure to attain the goals based on the available resources. Their personalities are more geared towards persistence, strong will, analysis and intelligence.

The people they are managing

The people the leaders are managing are followers. This is because leaders are very people-orientated and they have the emphasis on leading people. Managers, on the other hand are leading subordinates because they are mainly tasks and results orientated.

There is no right or wrong in choosing a leadership style over the other. It really depends on your current situation such as the people you are managing, and their preferred working styles. The best bet is to engage your current employees, and understand the urgency of situation before deciding that one leadership style is more superior compared to the other. 

How to Reduce Workplace Drama?

I’m sure you have witness someone climb up the corporate ladder in some point of your career. You thought to yourself that this person does not put in extra hours, has zero knowledge so how did the progression come about? You start discussing about this with your close colleagues, and discussions slowly become gossips.

We know gossips are fun, but this hurts productivity at workplace so how do we minimize workplace politics?

Be Transparent and encourage two-way communication

Management has to be transparent and encourage open communication between employees and the management. Rather than let your employees discuss about was the person should get the promotion, management should provide a strong justification of why the person was selected.  
 
Through having a two-way communication would also allow management to have first-hand knowledge about what employees are discussing and can stop it when discussions become gossips.

Communicate and Evaluate employees on goals established for them

Communicating the goals is more important than evaluating employees on the goals established for them. This will result in fairness, where goals are communicated so employees are aware of how their performance are being accessed in a way whereby they are able to earn the promotion. This would then help management provide a stronger justification of the recent promotion.  
 
Communicating and evaluating goals would allow employees to feel that their contribution matters. With a stronger direction, this would actively increase engagement and morale between employees. To facilitate all these, you should also have a robust system to track your employees.

Focus on your recruitment

You would want to ensure you are bringing in the right talents to the company to achieve aligned goals between the individual and the employer. No matter how much you try to prevent office politics through changing your company’s culture -  a fishmonger would always be a fishmonger... 

and at CVista HR, we can help to filter fishmongers out from your pool of suitable candidates for your consideration!

4 Ways to Manage Stress

Yes, that’s right! This article was intentionally published on the Monday for you to read when you are on the way to work.  We usually associate stress with work – but it might necessarily be true.  

Stress often occurs when people face demands from their everyday life, and there’s always a negative association with it. Stress does help to motivate people to get through difficult situations such as deadlines. One thing to note is that prolonged stress is detrimental to your health.

Here are 4 ways to manage them:

Time Management

Plan your time well. One should always plan your day at the start of the day and note down your daily events and tasks. Giving yourself ample time in between your schedules allow you to have minor hiccups here and there – such as traffic jams and vehicle breakdown (Not that it wish it happens to you on Monday mornings!)

Change your perspective

Have you ever experienced tension when things do not go your way? Instead of perceiving it in a stressful way, think of it in the more positive light. If you can’t find any positivity from it, how about thinking it as an opportunity to challenge yourself? Remind yourself that what you are experiencing, others are experiencing it as well. Talk to your friends and manage expectations.

Travel plans always work. Yes, you might not be able to travel now but you can always plan one so there is something you can look forward to!

I guess, it’s the right time to say that “Tough times don’t last, tough men do!”

Exercise Regularly

If you are like me, you would find that exercising is stressful in its own right. However, give yourself some time to relax your body – whether is it exercise or Meditation. Personally for me, it’s the latter.  Do what help you to destress, and improve your mood. If you are an outdoor junkie, go for outdoor activities and perspire it out!  
 
You can even do crazy things such as brisk walking, or using the stairs to get back home. That’s crazy in my definition.  

Get Sufficient Sleep

This personally, is the easiest way to manage stress! Giving yourself adequate sleep of 7 – 8 hours would allow you to have more focus at work. This makes you more productive, and thus allows you to cope better with stress as well.  

Leave Work at Work

No matter how hard you work, the truth is… you will never get a chance to leave work with all items on the checklist cleared. There will be work left undone. Ticking all your items on the checklist also does not necessarily make you a good employee. 

An overworked employee is more likely to make mistakes in her deliverables. You should remind yourself to leave work behind, keep your mind clear. You still got another day to settle the remaining work. Your quality of work would less likely be compromised when you are afresh and energetic to tackle what is ahead.

This is how you separate work from your rest time. Yes, at CVista HR, we are teaching you how to rest.

Keep the music on when commuting back home

Keep the music playing and do something that makes you really relaxed. Sing softly if you have a really nice voice or keep the melody going in your head if you don’t sound nice. Keep the journey back home enjoyable for both you and other commuters.

Try not to rush home

This is a little bit more challenging with everyone rushing to get home. Give yourself time, and let others squeeze as much as they want into the already packed train. You don’t have to – because you have the time. Do not have to be influenced and be one of the many sardines. This helps you relax, then feel frustrated when people are cutting your queue. If you have not been gracious the whole day, this is a good time to start!

“Work Hard, Play Hard”

Overused phrase – but it is true. If you have already left work, please do not think about work and think of the areas where you have not performed today. You will not be paid Overtime
anyways.

Draw a line between work and play distinctively. This helps you in getting recharged for the work tomorrow. Think about the drama 9pm show you’ll be watching later!  

You should connect with yourself and your friends and families. Not with work because it affects your emotions negatively. You don’t want to be a snapping alligator when you are back home, and neither do you want to be judged when you yell at aggressive commuters (or get STOMPED!)

Just simply, enjoy life and be thankful for all that you have. That’s your responsibility until you begin your next day at work again.

5 Ways to Never Burn Bridges

You have finally submitted your resignation letter and heave a sigh of relief. Your next concern should be how to leave on a good note – positively and professionally; regardless of your reasons for leaving the company.

Inform your Superior in Advance

Arrange a meeting with your superior to inform your resignation. Do it discreetly and never share with anyone else before your superior. (You do not want words to spread even before she knows it from you.)  It is a good gesture that superiors will appreciate if they have sufficient time to source for replacement, most of the time. Be tactful when you are informing your superiors. You’ll want to leave on a good note. Remind yourself who will be the one writing your testimonials to secure your next employment.

Fulfill your Responsibilities Till the Last Lap

With limited time, do your best to fulfil your exiting responsibilities and proper handover. Stay accountable for the work that you have on hand even before you even hand over to the next colleague taking charge. You want the transition to be orderly and positive. Check with your superior on how you should tie up the loose ends. Stay a little later at work if you need to, just to assist the team in clearing the loose ends. Remember the one who is hit the hardest is your replacement.

Give Guidance to your Replacement

Help your superior by guiding your replacement well. No else knows your work processes and job responsibilities better than you do. Your superiors and replacement will be thankful to you because training employees are time-consuming and costly. If you do not have sufficient time to guide your replacement, spend some time to script your daily tasks and processes as a handover and remain contactable even after you’ve left. Keep the lasting impression going even when you have left. 

Participate in the Exit Interview

Some organisations will conduct exit interviews to seek opinions on a few components. The components can include the intensity of your role, your overall view of the organisation and to even evaluate your superior. Be sure that you are ready to be tactful during the exit interview process. Never go in with the mentality to speak negatively.

Keep Good Connections

Always offer to assist in any ways. Keep good connections with your ex-colleagues. Ultimately, you would also have forged friendships over the course of your employment. These connections might be useful for you in future. Make this easier by using a free platform commonly known as LinkedIn.