Being an efficient manager and a charismatic boss at the same time can seem like an impossible task. It often feels like you need to pick one or the other – either focus on getting results and risk being disliked, or prioritize being liked and respected and sacrifice efficiency. However, the reality is that you can, in fact, deliver the desired results for your business while remaining liked and respected by your staff. It simply requires sticking to a few proven ways that allow you to maintain a positive karma score while remaining efficient.

In this article, we will guide you through 11 smart management tips on how to lead a team and become something more than a boss – a leader.

1. Find a Management Strategy and Stick to It
There’s nothing worse than a boss that keeps changing his or her opinions and assignments depending on their mood or a book they read that week. Chaotic decisions increase the insecurity and frustration of your team, so it is important to find your management strategy and stick to it. If you do find new methods that you want your staff to follow, make sure they don’t contradict the general direction you are taking. Otherwise, you risk making your team take one step forward and two steps back.

2. Set Goals and Track Progress in Reaching Them
Set individual and collective goals for your team and track the progress in reaching them. This might sound obvious at first, but too often we find ourselves stuck between daily customer requests and monthly reports, and the bigger goal or vision seems to fade away. According to Elon Musk and many other successful CEOs around the globe, it’s crucial to have a clear and motivating aim to where the company is heading. Even if your goals are not as grand, setting and reaching milestones will give you a clear insight into the team’s overall efficiency and daily progress. With time, you will be able to see the weak spots and improve your results.

3. Demand Learning from Your Team
Empower your employees’ self-development by creating a culture of learning. Provide all the tools necessary to help them grow in their positions as the company scales. Encourage educational courses, invite informal lecturers and implement peer-to-peer learning by asking employees to teach their particular experience or skill to co-workers.

4. Invest in a Pleasant Work Environment
A well-designed office environment can increase your team’s overall performance by as much as 20%. Even small interior tweaks that do not require major investments can improve your workers’ performance. Incorporate modern furniture, ergonomic chairs, standing desks, individually arranged workspaces, an in-house library, jazzy office music, entertainment or break rooms, uplifting office decor or live plants for a fresh and welcoming feel.

5. Be Kind and Sincere to Your Team
50% of employees quit because they dislike working with their manager. Being friendly and sincere may not be enough to be a successful manager, but it’s a big part of it. Celebrate the progress and achievements of your employees. Talk to your employees regularly and really listen to what they have to say. Address their concerns, help them reach their goals, and improve their work and daily life. Do not pour out your stress and anger on the staff – instead, recharge by appreciating the achievements of your team and setting the next goals. Do not overload your team with work, show interest in their goals and well-being.

6. Offer Flexible Work Hours
Adapt to changing habits and remain competitive in the labor market by offering the chance to choose their own work hours, work from home or even from another city or country. Offering flexible hours is a powerful way to inspire your existing staff and give them intrinsic motivation.

7. Track Your Team’s Productive Time
Monitoring your employees’ progress and efficiency can result in better performance and less slacking. You should consider installing time-tracking software on your employees’ computers and see who’s doing great and who might need a productivity boost. However, do not use the time-tracker as a spying tool, instead choose software that allows employees to mark private time that won’t be tracked.

8. Use Only Constructive Criticism
Constructive criticism means offering valid and rational opinions about the work of the employee. Avoid attacking their personality, intelligence or intent. Instead, focus on helping them to improve and grow professionally.

9. Recognize Achievements and Reward Them
Recognizing and rewarding achievements is an important part of team motivation. It will make your team feel valued and appreciated for their hard work. Small rewards, such as vouchers or team lunch, will improve team dynamics, productivity and employee retention.

10. Care for Your Team’s Health and Well-being
Taking care of your team’s health and well-being means a happier, healthier and more productive team. Encouraging exercise and healthy eating, providing healthy snacks and hosting well-being events like yoga, meditation or stress management workshops can go a long way.

11. Lead by Example
As a leader, you set the tone for the team’s culture and work ethic. It is essential that you lead by example and model the behavior you seek to encourage in your team. This includes everything from punctuality and professionalism to work ethic and teamwork.

In conclusion, being an efficient manager and a charismatic boss is not an impossible task. By implementing the above-mentioned tips, you can lead your team and become a successful leader that inspires employees, drives productivity and achieves results.