Management » New Media Development by Greg Demetrick

Believing in People

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

I have worked in dynamic and creative teams most of my life. I firmly believe they are the best way to get new ideas, challenge your skills, and just have fun at work. I have played the part of worker, programmer, manager, developer, designer, and many more. The one thing I have discovered over the years is a very simple concept to keep people motivated.

Believe in your employees.

When I was the Technology Manager at Digital City - Hampton Roads I was lucky enough to be hired by a man who always believed in the people he worked with. His open door policy was very open and concerns were listened to and addressed. But beyond that, he believed in the people he worked with and let you know that. That support was something that I appreciate to this day twelve years later. The problems we were faced with on a day to day basis could be incredibly difficult and complex but he always made me feel like i could achieve anything with a little perseverance and an honest attempt to solve the problem. As a result, we all felt as a team we could reach new personal and professional heights because at least one person felt that we could attain it.

Managing in this new tech era is difficult especially when you work with diverse groups of people sometimes spread across the globe. But having a basic belief that someone you manage can achieve a task is more valuable than any motivating speech you can give. You may not personally believe that the employee is up to the task being handed to them but that doesn’t matter. As long as you let them know they can do it and support them, you will be amazed at what can be accomplished while helping someone discover something about themselves.