My mom was an excellent cook. Her recipes were simple but delicious. She used to tell me that her secret was using fresh ingredients, enjoying the cooking, being consistent, and not cutting corners. But what does this have to do with management? To a large extent, good management also relies on a few steps that, if performed well, will result in good business performance. Cut corners or engage in sloppy execution and the outcome will be poor.

Here are five steps I would like to share with you. They may not be new, but over my long career in management, I learned that these are the keys to being a successful manager and executive.

1. Set Realistic Objectives

Make sure that you set realistic objectives with the people that have to achieve them based on valid, up-to-date research (including real market dynamics, productivity levels, and quality standards). It’s important that objectives be both measurable and doable.

2. Make Resources Available

Make available the necessary resources – the tools needed to get the job done – to achieve the set objectives. Examples include equipment, computers, software, processes, travel, cooperation, staff, and training. Resources require investments of time for implementation. A lumberjack can choose to cut a tree with a hatchet or a chain saw, though the productivity will differ enormously. Properly equipping your people is key!

3. Support Flawless Execution

Once the objectives are set and the resources provided, managing, coaching, encouraging, and supporting with strong leadership is required to keep the troops focused and working as a team. This is where some managers will shine while others stumble. It’s important to monitor your team’s progress, evaluating what needs to be done on an ongoing basis. If results are on or ahead of target, your focus is to keep up that momentum. If results are behind, you want to take actions to bring performance back in line with the objectives. Your actions should also be made jointly with your team to ensure their full commitment and engagement.

4. Celebrate and Reward Progress

Some managers wait until year-end to celebrate and reward staff. I beg to disagree. You need to celebrate your progress. You may not have achieved all the objectives, but you have made considerable progress. Why not celebrate that? Celebration is a key motivator to maintain a positive attitude and stay focused. Find the positive and celebrate even the small wins. Rewards do not necessarily have to be monetary. Rewards can be in the form of giving recognition when credit is due. It's a great motivator. I am not saying you reward effort alone, but what you can do is offer gratitude and appreciation for the progress made.

5. Sustain Your Performance

In business, you cannot rest on your past achievements because your competitors will not roll over and go away. They will re-group and come back on the offensive, using new approaches and tactics to lure your customers. Be prepared for new threats, new prices, new ads, and more. Stay on top by keeping a vigilant eye on what competitors do and alert to what customers want, responding effectively to both the moves of competitors and the changing needs of customers.

These five steps may seem basic and simple – and they are. The key for them to work is in their execution. For more practical advice for entrepreneurs, general managers, and CEOs on how to manage people and get above average results from average people, check out my new book Maverick Leadership. click here for a short video, a list of content, and a complimentary review of one chapter.