Get in the Habit...of Being Successful.

• Position: BUSINESS & FINANCE

Bad managers cost businesses billions each year, and account for at least 70% of variances in employee engagement scores, maintains a Gallup survey. Having a highly successful business manager is crucial to the overall success of a company. The problem, however, is that not everyone knows what type of habits effective managers have. By being able to identify what those habits are, businesses can take action to find the right people to fill the position, and managers can boost their productivity and increase their efficiency.

"There is always room for improvement, no matter how great of a manager you are," explains Leon Goren, president and chief executive officer of PEO [Professional Employer Organization] Leadership. 'The good news is that making those improvements can often be simple. It's just a matter of taking the steps to make it happen, to incorporate new habits that will lead to better outcomes."

* Delegation skills. "Highly successful leaders know how to delegate, rather than trying to do everything on their own. It is imperative to learn to trust the people on your team. If this is an issue for you, start by delegating small tasks and building on them. It also is important that you have the right people in the right jobs."

* Building a strong team. "When hiring, do not just look at the candidate's past experience and qualifications. Make sure that he or she is a good fit for your team and your overall corporate culture. Does this person share the same values? Will this individual fit into your team's unique dynamics? Does the candidate understand what the expectations are? When you have the most-qualified people--from both a fit and skills perspective--you not only will feel comfortable delegating tasks to them, you will know they are working toward reaching your company goals. The right employees know how to work efficiently, are engaged, and...