10 Playbooks Every Manager Should Master

Managers have the hardest job in the business, they sit between executives and the front line, they need to make sure everyone is on track and hitting goals. 

Here are 10 playbooks that each manager should master:

1. 1. Recruiting: Arguably the most important job any manager has is that they recruit well. A smart leader once tole me, ‘if you fill the building with A-players then most every other problem works itself out.'
   2. Onboarding: The first 90-days of any new employee’s experience is the most crucial, it makes or breaks the relationship. If at the end of the first 90 days, your new teammate knows all the things they need to do, has all the resources to do them, and has already put a few key wins on the board, you’re well on your way to a strong relationship.
   3. Accountability: If everyone on your team actually does what they say they’re going to do, then they’ll be unstoppable. Challenge is, that doesn’t always happen. You need a system for how you’re going to hold your team accountable to doing the things they commit to.
   4. Managing high performers: Some managers choose to spend their time with low-performers, and let their best performers handle themselves. However the best managers have a unique playbook for managing their best performers that continues to push them to the next level. 
   5. Running Meetings: A well-run meeting is a breath of fresh air, because they’re so rare! Learn how to run a great meeting with a tight agenda, the right attendees, and the right actions. 
   6. Bouncing back: Every team runs into challenges, some handle them well, others don’t. You should build a playbook for how you help your team bounce back from a tough loss. Ideally you help them to learn what went wrong, coach them how to fix it, and iron out the next key steps. 
   7. Managing Across: In leadership, sometimes it’s your direct team that helps you get things done, other times you need help from peers in other teams. The best managers are able to build alliances of people from other departments and get them bought into a shared vision. 
   8. Managing Up: Everyone has a boss, even the CEO (board, investors, customers, etc). Great managers have a plan for how they’re going to communicate with their superiors and how they get support for their team.
   9. Managing Out: The most uncomfortable job of any manager can be when they need to fire someone. While it hopefully only happens rarely, it typically goes far more smoothly if you have a plan in advance that allows both you and the employee to get through it as painlessly as possible.
   10. Managing careers: Employees expect their managers to help them grow their careers. You need a plan for how you’re going to help each person on your team, not only, take care of their day job responsibilities, but also grow their careers to the next stage.  

I’ve included 10 here, what others have I missed?