5 Sustainable Economic Practices

The recent pandemic and the economic downturn it created forced governments, businesses and
consumers to reconsider how they approached economic sustainability. Thankfully, there are
easy ways to encourage sustainable economic practices. The hardest part is getting all parties
involved to change their mindsets when it comes to how to manage resources, how to operate
businesses and what to prioritize at the government levels. The following are five sustainable
economic practices worth considering.

1. Microfarming

As America became more industrialized, more people began to work outside of the home to
make a living. This has left little time for sustainability efforts, such as growing food and
harvesting water. Consequently, people outsourced these activities to supermarkets and
municipalities. Microfarming brings people back to their roots by encouraging small-scale
farming at home. Forbes believes that when cities produce their own foods via microfarming, it
reduces the demand for and the environmental impact of bringing food in from rural areas.

2. Tiny Home Living

One movement that is often roped in with microfarming is tiny home living. Whether people
build a tiny home by hand or commission local contractors to build one, tiny homes allow people
to have a much smaller footprint. One high-sustainability note is that tiny home dwellers often
live completely off the grid by sourcing energy from the sun and harvesting rainfall for water.
Tiny homes also provide a lower economic burden than a full-size home and often even offer the
perk of mobility.

3. Upcycling

Another movement tiny home dwellers become associated with is upcycling. This involves
sourcing materials headed for landfills and repurposing them to make them useful again.
Upcycling efforts can range from turning old shoes into garden pots to reclaiming old cabinetry
for fitting out a brand new kitchen. Many companies have built an entire business model on
sustainability by upcycling former waste products.

4. Human Capital Investment

The economic landscape is constantly changing, and the skill sets necessary for employability
change with it. When governments and businesses invest in human capital, they help reduce the
likelihood of skill gaps in the future. Human capital investment can range from companies
training lower-level workers for higher-paying jobs to governments subsidizing tertiary
education to make it more affordable. Inc. magazine identifies the following benefits at the
company level:

 Improves retention rates

  Makes it easier to promote from within
 Keeps employees engaged
 Encourages a forward-thinking mindset
5. Monetary Incentives

Unfortunately, many people and organizations remain resistant to change and sustainability
efforts. Even when people want to change, change can be expensive. For instance, the initial
investment for solar power or purchasing an electric vehicle can be cost-prohibitive for many
individuals. Economic incentives at the private and government levels help to reduce the burden.
Here are some examples of this:

 Up to $7,000 in rebates for purchasing qualifying hybrid and electric vehicles in

California
 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar power systems in operation by the end of 2020
 Trading in recyclable waste for cash in eligible municipalities
The Bottom Line

There are many simple steps we can all take toward economic sustainability. All it takes is a little
creativity and the willingness to change what we have begun to accept as normal socioeconomic,
agricultural and political standards.

Sources:

1. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/living-tiny-home-benefits-drawbacks/story?
id=17742823
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottbeyer/2019/11/25/modular-micro-farms-a-new-
approach-to-urban-food-production/#3a9f58da2e9e
3. https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/how-
to-make-money-recycling
4. https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/01/f70/Guide%20to%20Federal%20Tax
%20Credit%20for%20Residential%20Solar%20PV.pdf
5. https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/lct/cvrp.htm
6. https://www.inc.com/chad-halvorson/5-reasons-you-should-be-investing-in-employee-
development.html
Tagged environmental impacthuman capital investmentmicrofarmingmonetary
incentivessustainable economicstiny homesupcycling
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Land: 10 Main Characteristics of

Land | Economics
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Read this article to learn about the land: meaning and

characteristics of land!
The term ‘Land’ in economics is often used in a wider
sense. It does not mean only the surface of the soil, but
it also includes all those natural resources which are
the free gifts of nature.
 Image Courtesy : 4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeKTrEUdrco/T0bGOmy5deI/AAAAAAAAAFE/hAQm888UfU4/s1600/

siliconvalley772108_10701469.jpg

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It, therefore, means all the free gifts of nature. These natural gifts
include: (i) rivers, forests, mountains and oceans; (ii) heat of sun,
light, climate, weather, rainfall, etc. which are above the surface of
land; (iii) minerals under the surface of the earth such as iron, coal,
copper, water, etc. According to Marshall, “By land is meant…
materials and forces which nature gives freely for man’s aid in land,
water, air, light and heat.” Therefore, land is a stock of free gifts of
nature.

Characteristics of Land:
Land possesses the following characteristics:

1. Free Gift of Nature:

Man has to make efforts in order to acquire other factors of
production. But to acquire land no human efforts are needed. Land is
not the outcome of human labour. Rather, it existed even long before
the evolution of man.

2. Fixed Quantity:
The total quantity of land does not undergo any change. It is limited
and cannot be increased or decreased with human efforts. No
alteration can be made in the surface area of land.

3. Land is Permanent:
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All man-made things are perishable and these may even go out of
existence. But land is indestructible. Thus it cannot go out of
existence. It is not destructible.

4. Land is a Primary Factor of Production:

In any kind of production process, we have to start with land. For
example, in industries, it helps to provide raw materials, and in
agriculture, crops are produced on land.

5. Land is a Passive Factor of Production:

This is because it cannot produce anything by itself. For example,
wheat cannot grow on a piece of land automatically. To grow wheat,
man has to cultivate land. Labour is an active factor but land is a
passive factor of production.

6. Land is Immovable:
It cannot be transported from one place to another. For instance, no
portion of India’s surface can be transported to some other country.

7. Land has some Original Indestructible Powers:

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There are some original and indestructible powers of land, which a

man cannot destroy. Its fertility may be varied but it cannot be
destroyed completely.

8. Land Differs in Fertility:

Fertility of land differs on different pieces of land. One piece of land
may produce more and the other less.

9. Supply of Land is Inelastic:

The demand for a particular commodity makes way for the supply of
that commodity, but the supply of land cannot be increased or
decreased according to its demand.

10. Land has Many Uses:

We can make use of land in many ways. On land, cultivation can be
done, factories can be set up, roads can be constructed, buildings can
be raised and shipping is possible in the sea and big rivers.

Related Articles:
1. The Concepts of Rent for the Use of Land
2. Labour: Meaning and Characteristics | Economics

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Land in Economics: Notes,
Characteristics, Functions,
Importance and Productivity
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In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Meaning and Definition of

Land 2. Characteristics of Land 3. Functions 4. Importance
5. Productivity.
Notes on Land:
The term ‘land’ generally refers to the surface of the earth. But in
economics, it includes all that, which is available free of cost from
‘nature’ as a gift to human beings. Land stands for all nature, living
and non-living which are used by man in production.
Even though land is passive factor and it does not possess any ability
to produce on its own, it is an important agent of production. Modern
economists consider land as a specific factor of production, which can
be put, not only to a specific purpose but to several other uses.
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Land has been defined by various scholars, as:

“By land is meant not merely land in the strict sense of the word, but
whole of the materials and forces which nature gives freely for man’s
aid in land, water, in air and light and heat.”
—PROF. MARSHALL
“Land is a specific factor or that it is the specific element in a factor or
again that it is the specific aspect of a thing.” —PROF. f. K. MEHTA
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Thus, we can say, land includes:

i. Surface of the earth like plains, plateaus, mountains, etc.
ii. Sea, rivers, ponds, etc.
iii. Air, light, etc.
ADVERTISEMENTS:

iv. Oil, coal, natural gas, etc.

v. Silver, gold and other metals and minerals.
Characteristics of Land:
‘Land’ has specific characteristics, which distinguish it from other
factors of production.

The main characteristics of land are:

1. Free Gift of Nature:
Basically, land is available free of cost from the nature. In the initial
stages, man paid no price for the land acquired by him. However, to
improve the usefulness or fertility of land or to make some
improvements over land, some expenditure is to be incurred, but as
such, it is available at no cost from nature. Man has to make efforts in
order to acquire other factors of production.

But to acquire land no human efforts are needed. Land is not the
outcome of human labor. Rather, it existed even long before the
evolution of man.

2. Supply of Land is Fixed:

Supply of land is fixed in quantity. It means supply of land cannot be
increased or decreased like other factors of production. Although for
an individual, supply of land may be flexible, but at macro level, the
overall supply of land is fixed. However, only effective supply of land
can be increased by making an intensive use of land.

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3. Difference in Fertility:
All lands are not equally fertile. Different patches of land have
different degrees of fertility. Some locations are very fertile and have
very good agricultural productivity, whereas some patches are totally
barren and nothing can be grown there. Similarly, the degree of
richness of mineral wealth varies from place to place, making the land
more useful or less useful from economic point of view.
4. Indestructibility of Land:
Land is an indestructible factor of production. Man can change only
the shape of a particular location and composition of its elements, but
as such land cannot be destroyed. It can either be converted into a
garden or to a forest or to an artificial lake. However, some parts of
land get eroded due to natural factors, but that is immaterial because
overall availability of land does not change.

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5. Immobility:
Unlike other factors, land is not physically mobile. It is an immobile
factor of production, as it cannot be shifted from one place to another.
It lacks geographical mobility. Some economists, however, describe
land as a mobile factor on the argument that it can be put to several
uses.

6. Land is a Primary Factor of Production:

In any kind of production process, we have to start with land. For
example, in industries it helps to provide raw materials, and in
agriculture, crops are produced on land.

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7. Passive Factor of Production:

Land is a passive factor of production, because it cannot produce
anything on its own. Human element and capital inputs are required
to be combined in an appropriate manner with land in order to obtain
yields from it.

8. Effect of Laws of Returns:

Since land is a fixed factor of production, the laws of returns are more
effectively applicable on it. Increased use of capital and labor on a
particular plot of land leads to an increase in crop production at a
diminishing rate.

9. Alternative Uses of Land:

Land is used for alternative purposes like cultivation, dairy or poultry
farms, sheep rearing, building, etc. The use of land for any particular
purpose depends not only on the return from that particular use, but
also the returns from alternative uses.

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10. Land is Heterogeneous:

Land like other factors of production differs from another in respect of
location, fertility, nature and productivity. Two pieces of land are not
exactly the same.

Functions of Land:
The primary occupations are agriculture, dairying, animal husbandry
and poultry farming. These essential activities are not possible without
land. Manufacturing industries depend totally on land for raw
materials. Land provides minerals, metals and many raw materials
like cotton, jute and sugarcane which are used to create other essential
products.
1. Primary Occupation:
All primary occupations like agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry
farming, fisheries, dairying, forestry, etc. are land oriented and are
also known as primary activities.
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2. Basis of Industries:
Manufacturing industries get diverse type of raw materials from land,
namely, raw cotton, sugarcane, raw jute, coal, minerals and metals,
etc.
3. Basis of Power:
All sources of power, i.e. hydro-electricity, thermal power, diesel, coal,
oil, etc., emanate from land.
4. Basis of Employment:
In underdeveloped countries nearly two-third of population is engaged
in agriculture and other primary activities. Agriculture, forests, mines,
etc., provide lot of employment opportunities to rising population.
ADVERTISEMENTS:

5. Basis of Transport:
All the important modes of transport, i.e., road, railways, waterways
and air-ways are mainly based on surface of the land, rivers, oceans
and air, which are all constituents of land.
6. Basis of Trade:
Products of land are traded within the country and also form part of
foreign trade. Products like food grains, minerals, metals, timber,
leather, hides and skins, wool, tea, jute, petroleum, milk, butter, etc.,
are tradable products of land.
7. Basis of Economic Growth:
A natural resource, that is land, play an important role in the
economic development of a country. Prosperity of gulf countries lies in
the oil-wells found there. Economic development of South Africa is
mainly due to its fertile land, irrigation and power facilities. All these
are different facets of land.
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8. Basis of Life:
We depend on land for our subsistence, residence and other
necessities of life. Land provides food, raw materials and shelter.
Importance of Land:
Land is considered the primary factor of production. Land is rich in
coal, water and petroleum, which are used for generating power. Land
is required to construct factories and industries to carry out the
production process. Land is of great importance to mankind. A
nation’s economic wealth is directly related to the richness of its
natural resources.
In spite of rich natural resources, a country may remain economically
backward due to some unfavorable factors on account of which the
natural sources are either underutilized or not utilized. On the other
hand, if a country does not have rich natural resources, it is
comparatively much more difficult to make it prosperous.
The quality and the quantity of agricultural wealth of a country depend
on the type of soil, climate, rainfall and water resources. The industrial
progress and prosperity of a nation depends on mineral resources. The
presence of rich coal mines, waterfalls or petroleum wells directly help
in the generation of electric power, which is a key factor for industrial
development.
The localization of industries invariably depends on proximity of
power and raw materials. All these basic elements are provided by
nature.
An example can emphasize the importance of land. In recent past, in
spite of having enough capital, labor and efficient organization, TATA
Motors were unable to start their Nano car project at Singur, West
Bengal, due to the dispute over land possession.
In short, the importance of land is evident from the
following points:
1. Land determines agricultural production.
2. The industrial progress and prosperity of a country depends on
availability of mineral resources, i.e., land.
3. Land determines total production of a country.
4. Land influences the economic growth of a country.
5. Land maintains ecological balance.
6. Land directly or indirectly fulfills the basic needs of the people.
7. Trade is influenced by land.
Therefore, all economic aspects, i.e., agriculture, industry and trade
are influenced by natural resources, referred by economists as ‘Land’.
Productivity of Land:
Productivity of land refers to extent of efficiency. The
productivity of land can be expressed by following
measures:
1. Average Productivity of Land:
Average productivity of land is defined as the output obtained from
land divided by area of that piece of land.

2. Marginal Productivity of Land:

Marginal productivity means the increase in output obtained from
land due to increase in one unit of land, but the other inputs are kept
constant.
Factors Affecting Productivity of Land:
The factors affecting the productivity of land are discussed
below:
1. Fertility of Land:
The productivity of land is determined by its natural qualities and its
fertility. A flat and leveled land is comparatively more productive than
an undulating one. The rich soil is more fertile and productive.
However, the agricultural productivity can be improved by proper and
extensive use of manure and fertilizers along with adoption of
mechanized methods.
2. Proper Use of Land:
The productivity of ‘land’ is directly related to its proper utilization.
For example, a piece of land situated in the heart of city is more
suitable for construction of a house or a market place. If this piece of
land is put for farming or agricultural use, its productivity will almost
be negligible.
3. Location of Land:
The location of ‘land’ affects its productivity to a great extent. For
example, the location of land near the market or bus station will result
in economy of transportation charges and overall productivity from
this point of view will naturally be higher. Similarly, for better
agricultural productivity, its location near water resources is desirable.
4. Improvements done on Land by Increasing Irrigation
Potential:
Permanent improvements done on land by generating artificial means
of irrigation, i.e., wells, tube wells, canals, tank, etc., help to keep the
water supply regular and have a positive effect on the productivity of
land.
5. Ability of Organizer:
Land is a passive factor of production and so it is essential to combine
it with other active factors, in correct proportion, to achieve the
optimum productivity. In order to accomplish it, an able organizer is a
must, who can successfully handle and combine the passive and the
active factors in right proportion so as to achieve greater productivity.
The competence and ability of an organizer directly affect the
productivity of land.
6. Land Ownership Laws:
The ‘land ownership laws’ prevailing in a country have a significant
influence on the productivity of land’. When a full ownership is
conferred, the owner takes more interest in its development. For
example, a cultivator possessing full ownership rights on land does
more hard work and the productivity automatically improves.
But, poor farmers work as tenants on the lands of large farmers.
Insecurity of tenancy rights may cause eviction of poor tenancy
farmers which make them uninterested to improve land productivity.
7. Availability of Efficient Labor:
The productivity of land depends on the availability of efficient labor
as land alone cannot produce anything without the efficient labor. If
the labor is efficient, trained and capable to adopt modern techniques;
only then he can make the proper use of land.
8. Improved Techniques of Production:
New inventions, modern and scientific methods of production like
using high yielding varieties of seeds, manure, etc., have increased the
productivity of land. Uses of modern machines in mining have also
increased the production of various minerals in India.
9. Availability of Capital:
Capital is the fundamental factor that affects the productivity of land.
The productivity of land can be maximized with the help of improved
seeds, chemical fertilizers and machines. To fulfill all these
requirements, sufficient capital should be available.
10. Government Policy:
The productivity of land is affected by the government policy
regarding agriculture. Agricultural productivity starts increasing when
the government adopts a proper agricultural policy and provides
required assistance to farmers. On the other hand, the state’s
negligence towards agriculture is regarded as one of the main causes
of agricultural backwardness. This results in low agricultural
productivity.

Economic Impacts of Climate

Change Mitigation and Adaptation
 Examples of Analyses of the Economic Impacts of Climate Change

 Economic and Environmental Costs of Climate Change (PDF) (2 pp, 99K) EXIT

 Florida and Climate Change: The Costs of Inaction (PDF) (104 pp, 2.34M) EXIT
 Focus on Impacts of Climate Change in Washington State (PDF) (2 pp, 147K) EXIT
 The Economic Impacts of Climate Change and the Costs of Inaction  EXIT

On this page

 Economic Impacts Associated with Climate Change Adaptation

 Economic Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation
 Understanding Economic Analyses and Models
 Tools and Resources

Economic Impacts Associated with Climate

Change Adaptation
Climate change impacts will affect the economy as the nation adapts/responds to
stresses on water resources in the form of droughts and floods, changes in agricultural
and livestock production, sea–level rise and storm surge, wildfires, and ecosystem
changes, as well as health impacts related to heat stress, diseases, extreme weather
events and poor air quality. While there will be costs to the economy associated with
these climate change events, there will also likely be benefits as some sectors
experience economic gains. More information is available in the Fifth Assessment
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) EXIT.
It is very difficult to predict the full economic impact of climate change; however,
studies have explored the costs of adapting to climate. According to the Fourth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the
total funding needed for adaptation by 2030 would be between $49 – 171 billion per
year across the globe. For more information about potential climate change impacts
globally and in the U.S., visit EPA’s Climate Change Impacts page.
Economic Impacts of Climate Change
Mitigation
More is understood about estimating the economic impacts of climate change
mitigation measures than estimating the cost of inaction or adaptation. While many
studies focus primarily on evaluating the costs and cost-effectiveness of mitigation
measures, states can also include in their analyses the potential energy,
environmental, and human health benefits of climate change mitigation policies.
These analyses can result in net benefits to key macroeconomic indicators, including:

 Employment
 Gross state product
 Economic output
 Economic growth
 Personal income/earnings

With analyses of the economic impacts of policies, states can:

 Demonstrate how mitigation measures can advance or impede economic

development goals
 Build support for mitigation measures among state and local decision–makers
 Identify opportunities where meeting today's climate change challenges can
also serve as an economic development strategy

Top of Page

Understanding Economic Analyses and Models

Many tools and resources are available to help states assess the net effect of the
potential costs and benefits of mitigation options. Economic analyses can be done
using screening–level approaches or using sophisticated modeling tools depending
upon the level of rigor desired or resources available.
Ultimately, modeling results are determined by the quality of the model and the
assumptions used to generate the results. While models can provide useful insights
into how one or more policies are likely to affect a state's economy, models can be
applied very differently to analyses of the same policy and can create conflicting or
confusing results at first glance. It is important for states to understand the limitations
of the available tools and the assumptions used to generate each scenario, so they can
objectively manage or review the analyses.
For example:

 Models try to be representative of the real world but do not fully capture all of
the details and dynamics that exist in the complex economic system.
 Different types of economic models or approaches – each designed for different
inputs and with different strengths and weaknesses – can be useful for
answering different types of questions.
 Uncertainties are inherent in model formulations, model data, and many of the
assumptions and inputs made in modeling that will affect the results.
Recognizing their limitations, economic models are useful in enabling policy–makers
to explore how the complex economic system is likely to respond to climate change
mitigation options and to ensure that the potential impacts are consistent with the
overall state goals and priorities. More details are available on assessing the economic
benefits of clean energy initiatives in Chapter 5 of Assessing the Multiple Benefits of
Clean Energy: A Resource for States.
Sample questions for states to consider when planning an economic
analysis of mitigation options:

 What method of analysis is appropriate? For example:

o Is it sufficient to conduct basic screening analyses or does it require more
sophisticated dynamic modeling, perhaps for regulatory purposes? Or
both?
o Within the methods, which types of models are appropriate?
 Is the purpose of the study retrospective (an historical assessment) or
prospective (forward–looking)? Is it long-term or short-term?
 What financial and staff resources are available to conduct the model? To
analyze the model results?
 What are the specific assumptions about the baseline scenario and what data
exists and/or is needed to model the scenario?
 Who needs to contribute to and/or review the analysis and/or assumptions?

Sample questions for states to consider when reviewing an economic

analysis of mitigation options:

 Does the analysis include both the costs and benefits of taking a particular
course of action?
 What type of model or approach was used? For example:
o Was it a rule-of-thumb estimate or a sophisticated modeling exercise?
o Was the model dynamic or static?
o How rich is the energy or other sector representation (i.e. how many fuel
options or technologies does it include)?
o Is the data in the model state-specific?
o Does the model treat policies as a one-time shock to the economy or
does it allows agents in the model to anticipate future policies and
change behavior accordingly?
 Were the assumptions reasonable and objective? For example:
o How were the costs and benefits determined?
o How or do prices change over time?
 o Does the analysis include the opportunity cost of the investment?
o How was autonomous technological change represented in the model?

Top of Page

Tools and Resources

Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy
Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy: A Resource for States provides an
overview of the multiple benefits of clean energy and their importance. It includes
information on:

 The importance of and approaches to calculating or estimating energy savings

as the foundation for deriving multiple benefits
 A range of tools and approaches to estimating energy systems, environmental,
and economic benefits across varying levels of rigor
 How states have supported the use of clean energy through the estimation of
multiple benefits

EPA's Climate Economics Page

EPA's Climate Economics page provides an overview of the analyses EPA has
conducted on the effect of various national policy options on the U.S. economy, as
well as a summary of the modeling tools and methods used. In addition, it includes
information on long term scenarios of climate-related economic impacts and non-
CO2 greenhouse gases.
Examples of Benefits Analyses
This table provides a summary of benefits analyses and findings in 22 clean energy
studies. The studies analyze benefits related to energy, emissions, air quality, health,
and economics. Information on methods and links to the studies are also included.
Quantifying Economic Benefits
EPA provides information for states on Quantifying Economic Benefits. This page
includes an explanation of the economic benefits of clean energy and climate change
policies, as well as key steps in quantifying those benefits. The page also features
examples of state analyses of economic benefits and applicable tools and resources.

12 Management Challenges and How To

Overcome Them
Jamie Birt
Updated June 2, 2022
Published May 21, 2020

Jamie Birt is a career coach with 5+ years of experience helping job seekers navigate
the job search through one-to-one coaching, webinars and events. She’s motivated by
the mission to help people find fulfillment and belonging in their careers.

This article has been approved by an Indeed Career Coach

&nbsp;

Managers who oversee teams commonly face several challenges related to

productivity and communication. Knowing how to recognize these challenges and
address them helps increase a manager's confidence and ability to lead a team. In
this article, we discuss the most common challenges of managing employees and
ways to overcome these challenges.

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12 common management challenges

Here are some of the most common challenges managers face and how to
overcome them:

1. Decreased performance levels

2. Being understaffed
3. Lack of communication
4. Poor teamwork
5. Pressure to perform
6. Absence of structure
7. Time management
8. Inadequate support
9. Skepticism
10.Difficult employees
11.Transition from coworker to manager
 12.Weak workplace culture

1. Decreased performance levels

Employees may experience periods of time where they are not as productive as
usual. A decrease in productivity can sometimes affect other team members and
overall goals, making it important to help employees feel motivated.

Managers who consistently review processes and procedures within the company
can increase efficiency. Perform a workflow analysis to review your current
systems and restructure weak areas. Another way to address this challenge is by
asking questions and offering solutions to their problems. One-on-one meetings
provide a great opportunity for managers to reestablish work hours and
expectations regarding work productivity.

Related: 7 Challenges of Working Remotely and How to Overcome Them

2. Being understaffed

Managers must recognize when it's time to hire another team member to help
fulfill responsibilities within their department. Because the hiring process is time-
consuming, it's helpful to get assistance from other managers and human
resources professionals when pursuing a new candidate.

If needed, ask for help when creating a job description, interviewing applicants
and selecting the right person for the desired role. Consider having applicants
complete a sample work test to help you determine the best fit for your team.

3. Lack of communication

Another challenge managers face when overseeing teams is ensuring effective

communication. Because every team member has a different personality, there is
a chance for miscommunication from time to time.

Increase the frequency of communication to ensure employees know exactly what

you expect of them and when you need them to complete it. Redefine standards
that reinforce your team's goals and purposes. Consider implementing a
messaging platform for the workplace that allows everyone to communicate
quickly. Let them know if you prefer one form of contact over another.
4. Poor teamwork

Sometimes, employees may lose focus on collaboration when they spend a lot of
time completing individual tasks. To re-establish teamwork, managers should
revisit the purpose of a project. Managers who take the time to acknowledge their
team's efforts and clarify the purpose of their work commonly see increased levels
of motivation.

Consider dividing your team members into partners so they have a chance to work
with someone for a specific project. Team-building exercises are another great way
to help everyone learn how to work better together. Base the content of your
exercises around the challenges your team faces. For example, if they need to get
to know each other better, focus on relationship building.

5. Pressure to perform

Some managers, especially new managers, to feel like they are under pressure to
achieve greatness from the very start of their role. If you frequently feel stressed
about your leadership position, take time to revisit the reasons why you were hired
for the job. Recognize that leaders learn from experience and mistakes. While
planning helps, you will likely face unexpected situations. The way that you choose
to resolve conflicts and react to challenges reflects your ability to lead.

6. Absence of structure

A common challenge that managers face in the workplace is the absence of

structure, especially when overseeing a new team. Depending on the work
environment, some teams may need to be supervised more closely than others in
order to maintain productivity levels.

Take time to develop an organizational structure that helps employees know what
you expect of them. In addition, show your team respect to encourage loyalty.

7. Time management

Because managers are responsible for overseeing the members of their team and
communicating with other department heads, they typically struggle with
balancing their own tasks. One way to prioritize your own work responsibilities is
by scheduling time throughout the day to do specific work. Let your team know
the times you'll be available to them and the times you plan to focus on your work.
Regularly update your calendar, and share it with team members so they know
when they can reach you.

Related: 10 Ways to Improve Your Time-Management Skills

8. Inadequate support

Managers sometimes need approval from the executive team of a company or the
business owner before moving ahead with a project. When the decision-making
process takes longer than expected, it may slow down their team's progress
overall. The most important thing to do in this situation is to be honest with your
team members. Let them know that you are waiting for information from the
executive team, and if possible, allow them to work on other projects. Try to
arrange for a one-on-one with the decision-maker to expedite progress.

9. Skepticism

Teams often question the transparency of management when they feel distanced
from their supervisors, especially if certain employees feel like they are doing more
work than others. When people feel they are not part of the plan, their level of
trust becomes compromised. Clear communication and honest interactions help
resolve skepticism in most instances because it builds trust between an employee
and manager. When you delegate tasks, explain why you assigned it and how it
contributes to the overall goal.

10. Difficult employees

Sometimes, managers oversee employees who cause tension in the workplace.

Knowing how to properly address any issues before they become major problems
is one common challenge managers face. To address specific concerns, request
feedback from your team members to learn about any issues they may have with
completing work or communicating with team members.

Implement any feasible suggestions to show you're listening to your team. Take
time to listen to their concerns and find out what you can about the situation. If
you're unsure of what to do next, consider enlisting the support of an HR
professional in your company. Their training supports conflict resolution and other
aspects of employee relations.

Related: How to Communicate Effectively with a Difficult Team

11. Transition from coworker to manager

People who get promoted at work often find themselves managing old coworkers.
This situation may feel awkward at first, but with time and the right leadership, it
may become less of an issue. Ensure team members that you're there to support
their efforts and ensure they have everything they need to accomplish their goals.
It may help to have a meeting shortly after the transition where you address the
change in roles and allow your team members to ask any questions.

12. Weak workplace culture

When teams feel like they're not connected with the rest of the workplace, they
could experience a decrease in motivation. Teams that feel they are part of a
larger group, experience more confidence and trust. One way to promote a strong
work culture is by planning lunch outings and rewarding employees who exceed
expectations.

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