As an office manager, you are responsible for the efficient operation of your workplace. Your role requires you to balance multiple tasks, manage diverse teams, and keep things organized. To become a highly effective office manager, you can take inspiration from Stephen Covey’s timeless book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Here are some tips based on Covey’s teachings to help you excel in your role:
- Be Proactive—Being proactive means taking charge of your actions and outcomes. As an office manager, you have the power to influence how your workplace functions. You can start by identifying the key challenges and opportunities in your workplace and taking proactive steps to address them. For instance, if you notice that communication is a problem, you can set up regular team meetings, implement a communication software, or initiate training sessions to improve collaboration.
- Begin with the End in Mind—Begin with the end in mind refers to visualizing your goals and aligning your actions with them. As an office manager, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and communicate it to your team. You can create a mission statement or a set of core values that guide your workplace culture and decision-making. This will help your team stay focused and motivated, knowing that their efforts are contributing to a larger purpose.
- Put First Things—First Putting first things first means prioritizing your tasks based on their importance and urgency. As an office manager, you may have to deal with competing demands on your time and attention. To manage these demands, you can use tools like a to-do list or a planner to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. You can also delegate tasks to your team members based on their strengths and expertise, freeing up your time to focus on more critical tasks.
- Think Win-Win—Think Win-Win means finding mutually beneficial solutions in every situation. As an office manager, you need to balance the needs of your organization, your team, and your clients. To achieve this, you can adopt a collaborative mindset, seeking input from your team and stakeholders to find win-win solutions. You can also build trust with your team by being transparent, empathetic, and respectful in your communication.
- Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood—Seek first to understand, then to be understood means listening empathetically and communicating clearly. As an office manager, you need to be an effective communicator, conveying your ideas and expectations clearly to your team. However, before you can do this, you need to listen actively to your team members, understand their perspectives and concerns, and validate their feelings. This will help you build trust and rapport with your team, making it easier to communicate and collaborate effectively.
- Synergize—Synergize means leveraging the strengths and diversity of your team to achieve greater results. As an office manager, you need to build a cohesive team that works together towards a common goal. To achieve this, you can encourage collaboration, diversity, and creativity in your team. You can also promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement, providing your team with opportunities to develop their skills and expertise.
- Sharpen the Saw—Sharpen the saw means investing in your personal and professional growth. As an office manager, you need to stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in your field. You can do this by attending conferences, networking with peers, reading books and articles, and taking online courses. You can also take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and practicing mindfulness.
In conclusion, as an office manager, you can apply Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to improve your leadership skills, build a high-performing team, and achieve success.
