Be proactive in making the most of your opportunity to earn the support and loyalty of your employees. Here are a few tips and reminders of how you can show your best managerial and leadership qualities, and positively influence those around you:

Take a personal interest in your employees

• Never view employees as only a means to an end
• Treat each employee as a valued person

Be firm but fair

• Employees have no respect for weakness
• Fairness is often viewed more in terms of impartiality and consistency than in terms of right and wrong
• Be sincere and honest
• See both sides of an issue

Do not be defensive

• When you become defensive you become offensive to your employees
• Ask for suggestions
• Admit your mistakes
• Give credit where it is due
• Be considerate

Provide a service

• Think of what you give as well as what you get
• Give needed information
• Back up an employee when she is in the right
• Know your job well
• Be enthusiastic and pleasant