LINE MANAGERS PUT THE HUMAN INTO HR

Experience has taught us that extensive people strategies, HR policies and engagement and comms plans will never take away the pressure from Line Managers. They are ultimately responsible for knowing their teams inside and out; managing their wellbeing, maximising their performance and developing their careers. They are the people who put the human into HR.

Unfortunately, all too often, these responsibilities fall by the wayside when the Line Managers in question also have a day job to do. As HR and People Teams, it’s important not to overwhelm your them with paperwork and procedures, but to simply help them take a human approach to working with humans. Simple hey?

LISTEN

Help your Line Managers understand the need for listening skills. Sometimes people just want to offload and be heard. For any employee, their manager is their first port of call. Remember, if people aren’t venting upwards, they will spread their negativity sidewards and downwards, which will have a far worse impact on the business.

LEAD

We are big believers in promoting the visibility of strong senior leaderships teams, but we also see the value in helping line managers lead and not just manage. An effective Line Manager is inspiring, motivating and engaging, and not just a great organiser.

INFORM

Your line managers are responsible for cascading messaging down. Yes they need the tools to do it well, but your comms team must be able to rely on them to make it happen. A good manager informs, but a great one also sees the value in doing so.

HOLD GREAT 121s

For an employee, a 121 is hugely important – it’s their chance to have a voice and be heard. All kind of things can emerge in a 121, from mental health issues to career plans and flight risks. Upskill your managers to hold great 121s with our Line Manager’s Playbook – scripted guidance for effective, unbiased, human conversations.

MAKE TIME

Above all, the most effective thing your Line Managers can do to promote wellbeing and productivity in their teams is to offer their time. Make people feel valued and cared for and reap the rewards. In the simplest terms, we are all humans who crave interaction and attention and this costs nothing other than time.

Share this blog post:

[sp_comments_block]