How to be a better boss.

• Author: Weberg, Brian
• Position: TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Legislative staff managers are vital for staff success. Here are some things great managers have mastered.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

More than 34,000 bill drafters, researchers, budget analysts, evaluators, information technology specialists, policy advisers, parliamentarians and personal aides help to keep our state legislatures running effectively and efficiently. Yet the role that is sometimes overlooked, but crucial to all staff success, is that of manager.

With ever-tight budgets, high demand for services, an aging workforce, fewer talented folks interested in public service, and a dizzying pace of change that increasingly forces staff to reassess what they do and how they do it, managers face daunting challenges.

Effective ones know how to support staff in ways that motivate and challenge without discouraging them. Here are some tried and true management practices and behaviors that separate great managers from the rest.

1 Manage

Most legislative staff managers got where they are by being really good at a particular skill like bill drafting, budget analysis, political campaigning or some other functional specialty. Most likely they did not get much training on how to be a boss. Great managers acknowledge that they put their management role first, and seek the training and information they need to learn and improve. Too often, poor managers don't let go of the familiar and comfortable specialist role that got them to where they are. But managers should manage, and that often requires learning a whole new set of skills, as well changing behaviors and making a choice to take on new challenges.

2 Communicate

Everyone has heard the old real estate adage that there are three key factors in assessing the value of land--location, location, location. In management there is a similar mantra: communication, communication, communication. Great managers make it their top priority to promote robust, open, multidirectional communication in their organizations. The tools are basic, but they work. Here are a few:

* Hold staff meetings that matter.

* Give regular feedback on employees' work.

* Open your door and wander out of your office often.

* Be a good listener.

* Avoid surprises and secrets by telling everyone (almost) everything.

* Walk the talk by modeling the values and behavior you want to see in your staff.

* Respect differences in work styles and personalities.

3 Let Go

Effective managers try their best to make everyone on the team the best...