Getting the best out of people 

Getting the best out of people is no mystery.  Most of us naturally give of our best when we feel safe, respected, understood and clear what’s expected from us.  Few of us can remain in a rational state of mind when we feel threatened, looked down on, misunderstood or uncertain what’s expected from us.  We become defensive, afraid, unwilling, unreceptive, resistant to new ideas and change, less energetic, more pre-occupied, and generally unable to give of our best.

What this means is that any bad feelings you perceive in your people are a sign that there’s a problem needing your attention.  If you remain alert and tuned in to their emotions you’ll be able to pick up and deal with problems and difficulties that are preventing them from giving of their best.

As a manager with responsibility for getting the best out of people you could target yourself to achieve and maintain the four specific conditions mentioned in the first paragraph above, that is, to make sure your people feel, and continue to feel, safe, respected, understood and clear what’s expected of them.   The London based "Skills with People" course teaches the skills you need precisely to achieve these results.  For a summary of these skills see Skills with People course contents.