There are literally thousands of books out there that layout the fundamentals of what makes the perfect manager. While the basic principles below are common in all those books, its always important to note that everyone is different and what may work for one may not work for another. On the same note, the people you will be managing are all individuals as well so being flexible in the way you treat your direct reports will need to be tailored to each individual. That is not to say you should treat individuals differently, but it is important to note that different people respond differently to authority and understanding the subtlety of that is critical to your success in getting the best out of your team.
They are approachable
As a manager, all team members should feel that they can come to you for anything regarding their work. While a manager may not have a 24/7 open-door policy, they should never have employees who are afraid to let them know about a problem they are having or to ask a question about a current project.
They communicate efficiently
A manager’s main responsibility is to delegate tasks and inform the team about new projects, developments and changes. If they are unable to communicate efficiently with a team, those projects will never be completed correctly. Beyond the initial delegation, managers should also be able to let employees know what is expected of them and ensure that those expectations are being met. This can sometimes lead to difficult conversations and a good manager will be prepared to do it effectively.
They provide results
Just because a manager is nice and friendly to his team, doesn’t make him a great boss. A good manager provides results consistently, meets goals and deadlines and shows progress and growth not just for himself, but for his entire team. A manager who works hard to make a difference and lead his company into a prosperous future will be successful.
They value their team
At the end of the day, the team is what helps upper management succeed and for a manager to be skilled at their job, they need to recognize this. It’s important for a manger to understand the value that each individual team member brings to a project or the company as a whole—and to recognize it. A good manager lets their employees know when they are doing a good job and will reward them with things like raises, promotions or even a day off or opportunity to work from home. Even if these rewards are not available, simply letting your employees know they are appreciated goes a long way and makes for more efficient and better work.
They think big
A manager is not just thinking of their own tasks, they must also think of all the projects, jobs and tasks going on around them. For a manager to be skilled at their job, they need to understand how all of the current projects can help the company in the future. Looking at things too narrowly can hurt progress and cause mistakes down the line.
They trust others
Micromanaging is a term we never want to hear when speaking with our clients about their management experience. It’s important for managers to trust the employees they hire to do their job correctly. If there is no trust, and a manager insists on being involved with every meeting and every project, it can hurt the ego of the team members and lead to less-than-ideal work.
If you are looking for a management position or to join a company with a great manager, contact The Goodkind Group to learn more about how we can help you. Give us a call at 212-378-0700 or visit our website for more information.
