Managing a Team – Same or Different?

Managing a Team – Should You Treat Everyone The Same?

A common question of management is whether or not you should treat everyone in the team in the same way.

At first, it sounds like there is a simple solution – of course you should treat everyone in the same way!

People tend to assume that not treating everyone in the same way indicates unfairness or favouritism.

Here’s why you’re wrong!

Treating Your Employees The Same

When we treat all employees the same, we are assuming that they are all very similar.

Logic states that we are all individual – with individual wants, ambitions and methods of working so it suddenly doesn’t make much sense to treat people the same anymore does it?

When you treat employees the same, only a small proportion of them will respond well to the techniques.

It’s much more valuable to recognise their differences.

The Differences Between Employees

Good managers identify their employees’ differences and motivations quickly to help them develop how they want to, understanding that success and value looks and feels different to different people.

Autocratic management and setting one tone for everyone only draws on ‘self-strength’.

When you treat employees differently, you focus on their strengths and their motivations, identify them, let employees know you value them and use that to project the business forward.

What Effective Management Looks Like

Effective management begins with building interpersonal relationships and a good work environment so that all employees, regardless of their differences are comfortable.

Effective management is using clear communication and team-building to create a more collaborative, productive company.

Effective management is giving positive morale and recognition, setting the right expectations and helping employees grow and develop their skills and capabilities.

Management success starts with better understanding so if you’re looking to develop your ability to match the right strategy to the right employee, you’ll find answers in our online courses here.