How to Determine What Makes a Good Manager

A manager is an individual who is in charge of a given subset of a company or a defined group of tasks. Though the roles and responsibilities of a manager vary from one company or firm to another, good managers have unique qualities that set them apart from other employees. This article explores many of the common traits that make a good manager.

What are the qualities of a good manager?

Here is a closer look at the traits that make a good manager:

Calm and productive mediation

A good manager can handle any situation and compromise issues between people. They spend time in mediation and conflict resolution. They also understand that there can never be quality work output if employees have a standing conflict. A good manager is mindful of each employee’s emotional state and is always capable of staying calm and resolving the conflict. They are always confident enough to question, listen and provide suggestions that would help an employee to overcome a conflict.

Encouragement of cross-level collaboration

Many companies have different employees working on the same project but at various points. Given the difference in their work points, they may not have a full understanding of what is happening with their projects in totality. Good managers coordinate such teams and ensure proper communication between them so that each member of the team is updated about the progress of the project they are working on. This way, the overall development of the team spirit is unified, resulting in increased efficiency.

Teamwork embracement

A good manager understands the value of teamwork and does their best to promote it. They know that it is one of the building blocks of the efficiency of any company. The higher the team spirit among employees, the more effective and efficient a company is likely to be. Managers can cultivate team spirit in their workplace by providing employees with team-building activities. They may choose to organize some inter-office celebrations or social activities to help involve more members of the staff.

Accountability

A well-rounded manager not only takes charge of their own goal but also takes responsibility when things don’t go as anticipated. An effective manager can lead by example and try to foster a culture of accountability. As a result, their employees understand and embrace the importance of being responsible for their actions too. Managers can further succeed in promoting a culture of accountability by involving employees in productive conversations.

Level-headed leadership

A good manager is always empathetic towards employees. Employees, like everyone else, go through personal and professional struggles that can negatively impact their productivity. A good manager is emotionally intelligent and capable of leading their employees and guiding them with understanding. A good manager also understands that compassion does not equate to subpar performance. They always do their best to help the employees settle emotional issues before taking up work, and sometimes, they end up carrying some of the burdens.

Company culture appreciation

A good manager is also a great leader and a high achiever. They are also followers of their company’s unique mission. They are not only invested in the company’s brand but also its culture. This can be reflected in the time and energy that they spend improving the company’s products and services and their teams. They take the culture of the company to heart and are always thinking of the best they can do to make their company better.

Innovation

A good manager fosters innovation and empowers their team to make informed decisions. They also give them room to learn from their achievements and failures. A great manager allows members of their team to share new ideas and allows them room to explore their creativity. They encourage an open-minded approach to issues and innovative ideas, and they help their team to implement them.

Honesty

A good manager tells their team the information they need to know without hiding anything. Being honest and discussing issues may occasionally challenge some team members, but that is something a manager must do to help their team grow. Managers can also stay honest by encouraging transparency in the workplace for everything from employee evaluations to customer feedback.

Strong communication

As a manager, it’s important to have strong communication skills in order to properly send messages to your team and foster understanding. Not only should managers communicate job expectations and duties, but they should also work alongside their employees and actively listen to their concerns.

Organization

In order to stay on top of responsibilities and maintain goals, it’s important for managers to be organized. Software applications such as a calendar or planner can help with scheduling and daily activities. These tools can remind a manager of project tasks and meetings to avoid department conflicts and manage their own time effectively. In addition, being an effective organizer can inspire employees to be organized as well.

Confidence

Managers should be confident in their ability to help others become successful and take intelligent risks. Self-confidence is the foundation for leadership and decision-making. This involves a manager fully committing to their decisions and also admitting their shortcomings. Even during uncertain times, a good manager should display a healthy amount of self-esteem and a positive outlook that will inspire their team.

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