As a business owner you may know that finding, keeping, and developing great employees isn’t an easy task, but finding, keeping, and developing a great manager may be even harder.
In the recent years, employees and employers have changed their expectations of managers, especially with the rise of remote work and the need for stronger soft skills, and better staff support. As new styles of management emerge we need to do our best to find the best possible choice of management for our employees.
In this blog, we explore what effective management is and uncover the 11 essential traits of a good manager, so you know what to look for and develop in your management team.
The 11 traits of a good manager
Whether you are looking to hire a new manager or develop your current managers we’ve put together a list of qualities to look for:
- Caring
Caring managers take time to get to know the individuals on their team. They’re genuinely interested in a team member’s success and personal wellbeing, They regularly check in with people about their lives, both at work and outside it.
- Coaching
Good coaches focus on developing the people they work with as well as getting the job done. They ensure they have regular 1-on-1 meetings with team members and encourage them to present solutions to problems, rather than solving problems for them.
- Communicating
Managers become great communicators by being good listeners. They allow time for others to speak. They have a clear understanding of the organization’s vision and share it with the people in their team in a way that motivates them. They ensure to keep their team up-to-date on what’s happening in the organization.
- Development
Managers who show a genuine interest in employees’ career development acknowledge improvement and not just deliverables. They take time to discuss their direct report’s long-term career aspirations and help them understand potential career paths within (and potentially outside) the organization.
- Emotional resilience
How a manager responds to challenging circumstances can have a significant impact on their team. Managers who are emotionally resilient are aware of how their mood affects others. They remain calm and productive under pressure and cope well with change.
- Fair treatment
Managers who value fair treatment will allocate tasks and set schedules keeping in mind people’s capacity and development goals. They acknowledge good work. They build a diverse and inclusive team and encourage diversity of thought.
- Fosters innovation
Fostering innovation and empowering their teams to make decisions is how managers can inspire – and learn from failures and achievements. They don’t micromanage people. They encourage innovative ideas and approaches and help people to implement them.
- Empowering and motivating
Effective managers help people stay motivated to do their best work. They make the people they manage feel valued, supported, and empowered. They feel they’re successful when the employees they manage are successful.
- Results-oriented
Results-oriented managers ensure performance standards are maintained. They work with team members to help remove blockades and get the team workable outcomes from team meetings.
- Technical capability
Technically proficient managers add value to their teams. They can roll up their sleeves and work alongside the team when necessary. They empathize with the challenges the team faces and have the necessary skills to help devise solutions.
- Vision and goal setting
A manager ensures the organization’s vision and strategy are translated into an actionable vision and strategy for the team. They help their reports understand how their role contributes to the organization’s success.
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