What are the most pressing issues facing the public sector these days? PART 2 OF 2 

​PART 2 OF 2
(FROM YESTERDAY’S POST: GOVERNMENT)

3. How to improve poor communication between managers and subordinates? The sad reality is that many managers are not equipped with the necessary skills to manage people because they were promoted to the position based on their technical skills.

It is the responsibility of the head of the agency to ensure that whoever is appointed to lead, manage or supervise people has the necessary skills to do it.
 
The skills that I am referring to are not job-related or technical skills.
 
I am referring to people's skills, which includes skills to connect with others, having empathy, compassion, being considerate to understand that not all people are created equal, and that not all humans have the same interest or motivation. They also have personal problems that often times affect their performance.  It’s not about sitting behind the desk and spending the day sending or giving orders by email.  A manager who does not make an effort to connect with his/her people and see them as humans is bound to fail.

4. How to improve mediocre performance of "permanent" employees.

As a manager I was responsible for getting the job done and meet my organizational goals, but in the process and not listed on my job description, I took it upon myself to also be responsible for providing guidance, mentoring, training, counseling, and I was always available to hear their concerns.
 
Your responsibility as a manager is to provide your team with the necessary tools to do the job. However, after all your efforts have been exhausted, if there is no improvement, then it would be your responsibility to decide whether termination is necessary.