The one simple habit every new manager should know that transformed my career

When I first started management roughly 13 years ago, my first manager taught me something insanely simple that I didn't realize would have such a big impact. 

Over the years, I've had a lot of employees tell me I was a great manager, but I never really connected the dots as to why.

It finally hit me a few years into my career after I switched to a new location.

I had an employee from my old location reach out to me to catch up a few months after I left, he told me something that damn near made me cry hearing the impact I had on him. 

He said “Man, I miss working for you. Nothing against the new guy, but I just don't feel like I’m doing a good job anymore. As lame as it sounds I miss getting a fist bump and good job from you at the end of my day” 

That's when it finally hit me. People really just want to be recognized for their efforts.

My old manager always taught me to make sure that at the end of the day you check out with people and tell them “good job”. Even if someone didn't do the best job today, still say it. 

So I’d make sure at the end of the day to make my rounds, give them a fist bump, and then make sure to give them some sort of praise. 

When someone does something great during the workday, I always shout them out to everyone else in our text or email chats to give them public recognition. 

Obviously, there’s so much more to being a good manager than this, but in my opinion I think this is a simple habit that takes little effort but can make all the difference for new and experienced managers. 

The problem I've seen is that some managers don't do this because they don’t get praise from their boss. I've been there, and I have had periods where I don't give praise because I had a bad boss. But I think breaking that cycle is important though, don’t let someone else’s poor leadership affect yours. 

For the managers already giving praise, great job! We need more of you in the workforce!