5 management tips to help productivity flourish

By Shamil Shamilov, Managing Partner at dNOVO Group.

Productivity in the workplace can be tough, but it's important to remember that a few key aspects can make all the difference.

Employees who feel valued and respected are more likely to be productive. Traditional business leaders may attribute this to good old "employee morale", but there's actually more to it than just morale.

Here are five aspects of management to consider:

1. Have a sense of "extreme ownership" and don't get too emotional.

As a leader, your number one priority is to get things done. To do this, you must have a sense of "extreme ownership", which means taking full responsibility for everything that happens on your watch.

It can be tempting to blame others when things go wrong, but this not only gives you a bad image, it also undermines your authority and erodes your respect within your team.

Let's say you have a problem with unfinished work and low productivity in your team. It's up to you to talk to your team to understand the barriers that prevent them from doing their job.

2. Be more flexible on working arrangements; focus on the results instead.

Nowadays, there is no reason for employees to be chained to their desks. With the advent of technology, more and more people are choosing to work remotely. And for businesses, this has several benefits, including increased productivity.

The pandemic has taught us that we can be productive even when we're not in the office. I saw it with my own eyes. Going forward, leaders need to focus on results rather than time spent. The key is to find a balance that works for you and your employees.

Some people thrive in an office environment, while others work best from home. Ultimately, it's important to be flexible and allow your employees to work in a way that works best for them, but adds value to the business.

3. Recognize employees' individuality and leverage their strengths.

Each person brings their unique skills and abilities to the table, and each has a different personality. As a leader, it is important to recognize the individuality of each team member and leverage their strengths.

Some people work better under pressure, while others need more time to complete a task. Some people are better at coming up with ideas, while others are better at putting those ideas into action.

It is also important that each member of the team takes ownership of their work. In my experience, when people feel invested in a project, they're more likely to do their best. So let each team member take the lead on one or two tasks. This can give them a sense of ownership and responsibility and help you achieve better results.

Although constructive criticism is necessary at work, keep in mind that it is best done individually, not in front of others. Consider that while some often fail to see how much of an impact a mistake or oversight can have, others may be overly critical of themselves, especially if they've done something wrong. Each team member should be treated differently.

You can generalize about how "we" as a team make mistakes and can improve, while highlighting what has been done well. For some, that may be enough. For those who need more perspective, you can convey a sense of disappointment rather than anger or irritation. You can also express it by saying, "I was hoping this would be over in time since we were counting on it. However, we can work together to find a solution."

This way you show that you trust the abilities of your team members while setting expectations.

4. Provide motivation and opportunities for growth.

LinkedIn reveals that up to 94% of employees would stay longer with a company that provides them with opportunities for learning, skills development, and professional growth.

There are several ways to do this:

• Provide training and development opportunities. Let...