The dialogue in this episode of the podcast “Thamaniya” shows that the relationship between management and employees reflects a complex reality that affects the work environment. The guest, Medhat Amer, who has over 30 years of experience in management, describes how effective management is one of the main factors determining an employee’s retention in the organization. He points out that about 80% of employees leave their jobs because of poor management, not because of better job offers or changes in their career paths.
The discussion addresses the importance of human management and how managers must fight for their employees’ financial and non-financial rights. Amer emphasizes the need to view the manager as a “star maker,” where a manager’s success lies not only in achieving goals but in how they influence the career and development of the employees under their management. He also shares his personal experience of transforming from a poor manager to one of the best managers through continuous learning and improvement.
The discussion also tackles how to manage family and upbringing in this digital age, and how to deal with children in light of the prevalence of social media, reflecting additional challenges that parents face in managing their time and resources.
These themes are embodied in a deep conversation that highlights the importance of genuine care for employees, effective communication, and the ability to motivate them in non-financial ways. Through sharing experiences and advice, Amer discusses how managerial decisions can affect individuals’ lives and their professional futures, making this discussion beneficial for anyone seeking to improve their managerial skills or understand the optimal way for interaction between managers and employees.
The Importance of Good Management and Its Impact on Employees
Recent studies indicate that about 80% of employees leave their jobs due to poor management. These figures highlight the critical role managers play in retaining employees. It is not only essential for employees to receive their due salaries, but they must also feel valued and motivated in non-material ways. A good manager knows how to create a work environment that encourages productivity and motivates employees to stay. For example, the experience of Saud Al-Barrak, founder of Zain Telecommunications, shows how granting shares to employees can transform them into loyal investors in the company, enhancing their sense of belonging and motivating them to work harder.
A manager with unconventional thinking, as Medhat Amer describes himself, can see beyond the numbers and sales. He focuses on shaping the individuals he works with and leading them towards success. He believes that the ultimate goal of any manager is to “make stars,” meaning contributing to the development of the people under their management to become future leaders. This type of management requires a proactive vision and the ability to understand the needs of employees and provide them with the necessary support.
The Difference Between Management and Leadership
Distinguishing between a manager and a leader is a vital topic. The manager focuses on achieving goals through direct means, while the leader considers the positive impact on their employees. Medhat Amer believes that a manager can be tough at times to achieve goals, but the leader works in a way that fosters cooperation and respect among team members. For example, if an employee feels valued by their manager, they are more willing to put in extra effort to achieve the set goals.
The traditional manager is often only concerned with results, while the leader looks beyond the goals. How does the employee feel during their journey to achieve these goals? Have they been rewarded for their efforts? This kind of thinking contributes to building a positive corporate culture, where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns, enhancing creativity and innovation in the work environment. The manager must have the ability to listen and engage with diverse opinions, reflecting a high level of social intelligence.
Motivation
Employees: Financial and Non-Financial
Motivation is an essential part of employee management. While some seek to increase salaries and bonuses as a means of motivation, many overlook the importance of non-financial motivation. Non-financial motivation, such as words of thanks and appreciation, can have a lasting impact on employee satisfaction. Madhat Amer points to a study that showed 84% of employees did not receive any recognition or thanks during Ramadan, despite the significant effort they put in. These indicators highlight the importance of offering thanks and gratitude to employees. If they are ignored, they will feel unappreciated, which affects their productivity.
An employee who feels appreciated will put in more effort and may go above and beyond in achieving goals. Therefore, offering non-financial motivation can have a positive impact on the overall performance of the company. This clearly demonstrates that financial motivation has a short-term effect, while the positive impact of words of thanks and praise can last long, enhancing the employee’s commitment to the company.
Learning and Development as Part of Effective Management
Learning and development are considered a vital part of any successful management strategy. Madhat Amer mentions that during his 30 years of experience, he learned that reading and continuous learning can make a significant difference. In a rapidly changing world, managers must stay aware of the latest trends and knowledge in their field. Books like “Good to Great” and “1001 Ways to Reward Your Employees” provide valuable insights on how to build successful teams and promote a positive corporate culture.
A manager who seeks to improve himself should look for role models, whether through reading or learning from others. Learning from past successes and failures is an essential part of the personal growth journey. This type of learning is an investment in the future, enhancing the manager’s ability to adapt to rapid changes in the work environment.
Managing Individuals: Challenges and Solutions
Managing individuals is considered one of the biggest challenges in any organization. It requires high skills in communication and understanding. A good coach must be able to read his employees’ feelings and understand their needs. Madhat Amer indicates that he learned a lot by listening to his employees and interacting with them positively. A manager should be aware of the details of his employees’ lives, whether personal or family-related, in order to provide appropriate support.
When employees feel that their manager cares about their personal interests, they are more willing to cooperate and achieve common goals. Managers must develop their communication skills and be available to their employees, not just during working hours but at all times. This kind of management fosters trust between both parties and helps build a positive work environment.
Evaluation: The Foundation of Continuous Improvement
Continuous performance evaluation is a critical element in any management strategy. Managers should provide feedback regularly, rather than waiting until the end of the year. “Management by ambush” is a bad idea, as it can lead to employee frustration. It is essential for the employee to know their performance level and have opportunities to improve it. Direct and immediate feedback helps avoid negative surprises at the end of the year.
When providing feedback, it should be done in a kind and constructive manner, where the manager can start with positive words before addressing areas needing improvement. This type of feedback shows the employee that the manager cares about their success and wants them to improve. Ultimately, success in management depends on the ability to integrate evaluation and feedback elements in a way that ensures performance improvement and enhances job satisfaction.
Importance
Availability in the Workplace
The issue of availability in the workplace is one of the important factors that affect employees’ advancement within the organization. Managers prefer employees who are easily accessible, which can negatively impact those who choose not to be present after working hours. For example, if a manager sends a request at 5:00 PM, responding at that moment, even if it is after working hours, reflects commitment and willingness to help. In the work environment, especially in large companies, failing to respond in a timely manner can be seen as a lack of seriousness, which may harm the employee’s chances for promotion or receiving a positive evaluation.
It is important to emphasize that working after official hours does not mean ignoring personal life, but it is clear that balancing personal life and work requires some flexibility. An employee who strives for excellence and is committed to giving their best is more likely to achieve positive results in their career, although this may seem unfair to some. However, the intense competition in the labor market sometimes requires employees to put in additional effort.
Not engaging in work after official working hours may isolate the employee from available opportunities. Often, performance is evaluated based on the individual’s commitment and willingness to go the “extra mile.” Therefore, it is important for the employee to be present and available for communication even outside traditional working hours. This includes checking emails and important messages that may come from the manager.
Ultimately, the chances of success in today’s workplace largely depend on how the employee interacts with the organization’s requirements and their readiness to put in extra effort to achieve common goals.
Stress and Work-Life Balance
Organizations today face a significant challenge in achieving a balance between work and personal life for their employees. While many companies announce their desire to achieve this balance, the reality is often different. Success at work today requires a shift from merely committing to traditional working hours to investing additional efforts to achieve goals. This can create a sense of pressure on employees, who find themselves forced to work during weekends or after normal working hours.
The concept of work-life balance is an increasingly important topic in discussions about human resource management. However, it should be acknowledged that some sectors, such as healthcare or services, require the presence of employees at all times, making it difficult to achieve this balance. Companies must adopt a human-centered approach that allows employees to manage their personal needs alongside work demands.
In some cases, failing to find this balance can lead to increased levels of stress and burnout among employees. Therefore, managers should be aware of signs that indicate an employee may be overwhelmed with work. These signs can include unexpected improvements in performance or a decline in quality. It is essential for managers to recognize these indicators and communicate with employees to help them navigate such situations before they escalate.
In environments where working hours are considered flexible, there should be effective implementation of strategies that support the mental health and overall well-being of employees. By establishing clear policies regarding work, organizations can help employees manage their time better, allowing them to focus on their personal lives without feeling guilty.
Development
Personal and Professional Development in the Age of the Internet
Today, it has become easy for individuals to invest their time in developing their personal and professional skills thanks to the resources available online. These resources range from training courses, educational applications, articles, and instructional videos. However, benefiting from these resources requires a strong internal motivation from individuals, as the chaos created by social media can consume their time instead of directing it towards learning.
For example, people can invest the fifteen minutes they spend on social media in learning a new language or acquiring programming skills or any other relevant field. Self-directed learning is not only a source of knowledge but can also be an additional motivator for employees in the workplace. Many companies are looking for employees who can demonstrate what they have recently learned and how it can contribute to improving the overall performance of the organization.
It is essential for an employee to have a proactive spirit and seek to expand their skills beyond their current job scope. For instance, an employee in the finance department may find it beneficial to learn marketing principles, which helps them better understand how the company operates as a whole. This type of learning helps create a more integrated and effective work environment.
Clearly, investing in oneself is one of the essential tools for professional success in the current era, as resources are more available than ever, and individuals should take advantage of this opportunity to build a brighter professional future. Committing to continuous learning is the key factor that distinguishes successful individuals from others in competitive work environments.
Dealing with Workplace Burnout
Workplace burnout is considered one of the significant issues many organizations face today. It is a condition that leads to decreased performance and increased psychological stress, adversely affecting individuals and the workflow in general. Managers must take proactive steps to monitor the mental and physical health of their employees by providing a supportive work environment and addressing problems before they escalate.
Managers need to be aware of the signs indicating burnout, such as declining performance or decreased motivation. These indicators can serve as early warning signals for authorities to provide support. This may include adjusting workload, providing additional resources, or even considering redistributing roles within the team.
Addressing workplace burnout requires a high level of social awareness and the ability to listen to employees’ needs. Often, individuals need to feel heard and that someone cares about their interests. Improving the support culture in the workplace can significantly contribute to reducing burnout and increasing employee satisfaction.
In addition, creating an environment that encourages comfort and work-life balance is a key element in mitigating burnout. This can include offering flexible work options, such as remote work or flexible hours, allowing employees to manage their time more effectively. At the same time, organizations need to recognize that good performance also requires adequate breaks to recharge.
Managing Children in the Age of Social Media
Social media poses significant challenges for parents today, especially concerning managing their children’s use of these platforms. Setting time limits and using parental control software are part of effective strategies that can help protect children from potential risks. Parents should also engage with their children and explain the reasons behind the imposed restrictions.
Parents need to…
Parents must be role models for their children. If they themselves are always busy with social media, it is difficult to convince children not to use it. Engaging with children in beneficial activities, such as reading or exercising, is an effective way to reduce the time children spend online. It is essential for parents to realize that their responsibilities extend beyond merely providing devices and internet access.
There is increasing evidence of the negative effects of social media on children’s mental health, such as heightened levels of anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is vital for parents to closely monitor the activities their children engage in online. There should be an open dialogue about the risks and content that may be harmful. Parents need to be present in their children’s digital lives and ensure they have the necessary guidance to navigate the internet safely.
Ultimately, it takes effort from parents to create a safe environment for young internet users. There should be a fundamental rule stating that the internet is not a safe place for children without supervision. By providing protection, guidance, and support, parents can help their children achieve a healthy balance between technology use and other life activities.
The episode was summarized using artificial intelligence ezycontent
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