5 Tips and Tricks: Ryan Smith

Written by Abby Power

March 16th, 2023

Continuing Flashback’s ‘5 Tips and Tricks’ series, Ryan Smith, the operations manager for TakeOver Artist Management has provided his five tips and tricks.

“1) Learning to strike a balance between Firm, Fair, and Friendly is important in managing a team. You want to be approachable and easy to talk to while also being able to be firm and put your foot down about things when needed in a fair and reasonable manner. It's about maintaining a rapport with your team that is both friendly and professional. You can speak with them as if they are your friends but have their respect enough for them to still respect your authority.

2) Allow your team to view you as a valuable resource for information and advice. This is a big part of mentoring. You can't help to guide your team and help them with their needs if you don't know how to do their jobs too.

3) Know when to own up to and admit your mistakes. Pretty simple, you're not always right. Sometimes you slip up. Showing your team that you can own up and admit to your own mistakes shows them that it is okay for them to do the same with you.

4) Lead by example. Also pretty simple. There are two different types of managers: leaders and bosses. A boss will sit behind their team, let them do all the work, take the blame, and be safe on their high horse. A leader is right up at the front with the member lowest on the ladder, in the trenches with them, leading the team to success.

5) Time management. Being able to stay on top of your own responsibilities and keep track of your team is a lot of work. Having good time management will help make this possible.”