What Makes A Good Manager?

Essential Qualities of a Top-Notch Manager

EQ

Emotional Intelligence

Enhance your communication and leadership by mastering empathy and assertiveness for effective management.

Skill Development

Boost your skills and confidence in real-world applications with continuous learning and practice in management.

Team Empowerment

Learn how to foster innovation and motivation by setting clear goals and offering supportive coaching.

Refine your communication skills by learning to harness your emotional intelligence with one of the UK's most acclaimed management training courses.

Why Choose This Training?

More Than Just A Course Of Lectures

What gets in the way of developing and holding on to new communication skills are old habits of thinking and speaking. Even if the advice is very good the reason why it rarely sticks are the mental habits people inevitably revert to, especially under pressure.

Unlearning those old habits and internalising a more effective and lasting approach to communication needs more than a short course of lectures on how to do it.

What Makes This Training Stand Out?

What makes this training stand out is the exceptional support through one-to-one coaching sessions and continuous feedback. Changing behaviour is not an easy task as old habits are hard to break.

With a 40-year track record we can help you cultivate practical skills, and build your confidence to so you can successfully navigate real-world challenges, ensuring lasting behavioural improvements.

Testimonials

Join thousands of participants getting results

"What I love about this course is that I didn't just learn about the topic, this course is about ME.  I'm confident I can reliably use my new skills, even when under pressure".

5 stars

A Project Manager At A Tech Company

"A lesson for life! The power of effective communication is incredible when one masters the skills "listening with empathy" and "speaking assertively"

5 stars

A Project Quality Engineer

Clients We Have Worked With

Well-known companies who have used this course again and again, over many years

  • Amgen 3
  • BBC
  • aunt bessies
  • Cargill 2
  • Heinz Logo 3
  • Civil service
  • NHS 2
  • Kelloggs Logo 2
  • IGT
  • JM 4 copy
  • Schweppes 3 logo
  • Castrol 3
  • Dewhirst 2
  • avon logo png
  • Nestle Logo
  • RSPB Logo 2022
  • Shell
  • UNHCR 3
  • unilever 2
  • BP 2
  • FBN 2

Course Summary

Training Objectives

This course is designed to help you become more confident and successful manager. Good management skills are an integral part of creating successful teams. You'll be better at leading, motivating, and guiding people to reach a common goal. Managing is not always easy though, as it requires different techniques than those used with friends or family.

Good managers require some key qualities that make them stand out in the workplace including communication skillstechnical capabilitysetting clear goals and expectations, and fostering innovation. On this training course we'll explore all about what makes a good manager so you can create an energised team. Learn how to identify top-performing managers by their traits along with actionable tips for superior team success. We'll include 5 common mistakes you should avoid when managing your staff for optimal performance. Good managers have key qualities including communication skillstechnical capability, setting clear goals and expectations, fostering innovation and emotional intelligence. Positive managerial traits such as caring for their employees, coaching to develop individual abilities and providing feedback are essential. Effective communication with the team through regular contact via emails or meetings is important in creating respect and understanding among colleagues. Continuous development is an essential part of good management; they must equip themselves with leadership abilities for facing stress or emergencies. Empathy and assertiveness are required to create an inclusive work environment while maintaining workplace wellbeingand productivity levels.

Develop Your Emotional Intelligence

You will learn a set of powerful emotional intelligence communication techniques so that you can manage difficult conversations, handle challenging situations, build relationships and set firm boundaries.

Transferable Skills

The goal of this training is to equip you with the tools they need to build strong, lasting relationships in your professional life, although because these skills are so transferable many clients report vast improvements in their personal relationships as well.

Develop Skills

This is a skills development rather than just a theoretical programme, so the emphasis throughout will be on you taking turn after turn, practising your skills, while receiving feedback and coaching about your effect on others.

Repeated Practice and Feedback

In your coaching sessions you will be helped to practise dealing with the kinds of situation you find challenging, again and again, until you are confident you can do it successfully.

Video Analysis

We'll combine practical, hands-on experience with video replay and analysis and discussion of the principles involved to help you gain both skills and understanding. Special attention is paid to your individual training needs, so you can practise your skills in real-life situations that you have to handle at work.

Sustained Change

That's why as well as your place in a small group, this training includes a generous amount of private and confidential one-to-one coaching sessions online, spread over several months, ensuring an exceptional level of support. This will ensure the changes you make are sustained over a longer period of time and any obstacles are overcome. Choose between online training available worldwide, or in-person face-to-face courses in the UK.

Course Dates and Price

For a list of upcoming course dates (for online coaching and face-to-face training), the locations of the next 3-day public courses in the UK and pricing Click here.

Free Initial Session

This initial coaching session serves as an introduction to the "Skills with People" course, allowing you to understand the course's relevance and effectiveness for your specific needs before committing to it.

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EQ training

Key Qualities of a Good and Successful Manager

Good managers must be able to multi-task -- from inspiring and motivating their team, to having the ability to assess circumstances in a positive manner. They should possess qualities like emotional intelligence and technical capability that allow them to lead successfully.

Caring

A good manager is someone who not only sets goals and tasks but one that also cares deeply for their team members. This caring aspect of management should not be underestimated as it can have a significant effect on team morale, well-being and productivity.

Not to mention, research has found that teams with emotionally aware managers experience greater job satisfaction and improved cohesion than those without this important trait.

Rather than just treating employees like robots or resources to accomplish certain tasks, a caring manager will create an environment which caters to the emotional needs of the team members by providing recognition for great work and learning opportunities for personal growth.

They place emphasis on understanding individual goals before setting challenging yet achievable targets in order to motivate their team towards success. Caring managers are also willing to listen intently when faced with difficult issues from employees as they strive not just professionally but personally develop each individual member – showing genuine care for them as human beings beyond all else.

Coaching

Good managers use coaching as a way to help employees reach their goals, both professionally and personally. Coaching involves actively listening to people, understanding their challenges and drivers, helping them develop strategies for resolving issues, guiding reflection on progress made and lessons learned along the way.

This requires the ability to be empathetic towards employee needs while also asserting oneself when necessary – or in other words; having emotional intelligence (EQ or EI).

Good managers understand that one of their key roles is developing individual skills so everyone on the team can contribute effectively. To do this they must foster trust with team members by demonstrating respect at all times, allowing independent decision-making within mutually agreed boundaries whilst providing clarity on expectationsaround objectives/outputs/performance metrics.

It is also important for good manager’s facilitate lateral thinking amongst collective teams through initiatives such as brainstorming sessions and thought provoking workshops focused on problem solving integrity issues or enhancing existing processes.

Communicating

Effective communication is one of the key components in setting separators between a good and poor manager. Good managers are those who can professionally express their thoughts and calmly explain important tasks to members of their team.

They build better relationships with employees by being open to dialoguelistening attentively, building respect among colleagues instead of competing against them, understanding employee's personal lives and challenges they encounter within the workplace.

Through regular contact via emails or team meetings – it’s a good idea for remote teams to have one-on-one conversations too - an effective manager should provide helpful feedback not only on tasks but also inspire further career development in each individual; as well as providing meaningful morale boosts through ‘team bonding sessions’ or constructive critiques after failure on project goals.

Leaders need engaging messaging, transparent communication across functional linesactive listening skillsespecially during problem solving scenarios – essentially all soft skills that come from expressing empathy towards team members rather than demanding work without recognition or rewards simply due to your title as boss.

Development

Continuous development is an essential part of being a good manager. With ongoing commitment to personal growth, managers can improve their key skills and learn new techniques for success.

Not only does it equip them with the leadership abilities needed to navigate stressful situations or emergencies, but developing them into well-rounded leaders allows them to bring forth increased results within their team and organisation.

For example, active listening is a core attribute that all good managers require in order to effectively lead; however, with further development they can acquire practical tools for successful feedback and direction which will help strengthen relationships as well as providing invaluable guidance when decisions need to be made quickly under pressure.

Similarly, continuing education on emotional intelligence enables better understanding of how emotions affect behaviour and decision making - this leads to more informed decisions that motivate employees but also do what's best for the team in the longterm.

Emotional resilience

Resilient managers have the capacity to recognise, understand and work with their emotions, enabling them to better comprehend and relate to those of others. This ability is considered one of the critical components in building effective leaders, as it equips them with the tools needed for dealing with challenges and maintaining emotional wellbeing.

Resilience gives a person an edge when it comes to leading by example; greater resilience leads not only to better care but also sets a good manager apart from other poor managers.

Having emotional skills such as self-awareness and being able to identify weaknesses are key traits here which can help create inner balance needed for long term success. Such abilities allow professionals in managerial roles to be active listeners who spend time listening energetically, and assigning tasks thoughtfully while understanding how entire team feel about the work they do - all essential components in driving positive performance results that cascade through individual teams up towards higher organisational levels.

Emotional Intelligence (Empathy and Assertiveness)

Emotional intelligence is an invaluable asset for successful managers. In particular, both empathy and assertiveness are key qualities a good manager needs to possess in order to create an inclusive work environmentencourage collaboration, build positive relationships with employees, maintain workplace wellbeing and productivity levels.

Empathy allows the leader to understand what others may be feeling without expressing it directly while assertiveness enables one to convey information without aggressive behaviour that discourages constructive dialogue, or in other words self-empathy.

Having emotional intelligence makes it easier for leaders to provide clear guidance by setting expectations and determining head counts or resources necessary for success whilst understanding each employee’s individual needs related to their job roles or development opportunities as well as nurturing them for steady progress within the team.

Being able to connect well with individuals engenders trust which consequently leads to mutual respect and loyalty over time — all playing a part in driving up performance at the organisational level.

Fair treatment

Fair treatment is essential for effective management and a healthy team culture. As a manager, it’s important that all of your team members feel equally valued and seen, regardless of their role within the organisation.

Fair treatment fosters loyalty in the workplace and allows employees to trust you as an effective leader. It also sets clear standards about how work should be carried out, which may help boost team morale and productivity.

This means treating each individual employee Equitably during performance reviews, whilst setting expectations at an appropriate level for everybody depending on experience or skillset.

In addition to this, fair treatment ensures everyone feels well supported by their teammates – creating a sense of safety that encourages collaboration rather than competition amongst colleagues.

By establishing consistent benchmarks for reviewing performance within the company, managers can ensure that those who do good work are rewarded properly while driving further growth with every challenge or obstacle encountered along the way.

Fosters innovation

A great manager is one who can foster a sense of innovation within their team. They are able to create an environment of learning and experimentation by inspiring the team to think out-of-the-box when faced with a challenge or problem.

The key qualities that a good manager should possess when fostering innovation include trust, communication, active listening skillsflexibility in decision making and creating game changing goals.

Trust is essential for unlocking creativity within the team and encouraging them to take necessary risks - which is vital for any real innovative breakthroughs. To cultivate this trust, managers you can adopt approaches such as “One on One” meetings that allows members of your team to express themselves freely without fear of judgement or repercussions.

Good Managers also demonstrate an ability to actively listen rather than provide solutions and be open minded towards ideas expressed by their colleagues so they feel heard and taken seriously; this carefully cultivated feeling of being appreciated shows their commitment towards teamwork and performance excellence instead of individual gains over collective success.

Communication plays an integral part too; providing clear direction combined with adequate guidance helps pivot initiatives in the right direction whilst exhibiting awareness around areas where teams need help rarely makes people feel abandoned but instead brings about more respect from their peers given everyone has made mistakes occasionally – however good communicators pick up those errors quickly then move on through finding resolutions rapidly! Finally allowing time for creative plays encourages personal growth while yielding better results from all members involved.

Empowering and motivating

Good managers understand that a motivated and engaged team is critical to the success of their organisation. To this end, they focus on empowering and motivating their teams through communication, collaboration, instruction and enthusiasm.

Developing strong leadership skills not only builds trust among team members but also creates an environment ripe for innovation and creative thinking.

Communication plays an essential role in fostering productive working relationships between manager and employees. Listening attentively to employee feedback helps build meaningful connections while also offering insight into different perspectives or approaches to problem solving.

Managers who create open dialogue environments encourage employees to think freely, taking risks without fear of reprisal from superiors — ultimately leading to increased motivation amongst workers due better understanding of managerial aims or desired outcomes.

Regular one-on-one meetings with each team member encourages them to felt heard while engendering feelings of loyalty as well as increasing overall satisfaction with their work conditions.

Results-oriented

Being a results-oriented manager is considered an essential quality for driving success and achieving positive outcomes at both the team and organisational level. It means putting goals first, staying focused on regularly achieving desired outcomes by setting clear priorities, timelines and expectations.

Results-oriented managers are committed to delivering high-quality work within deadlines set out in advance by understanding their own capabilities as well as balancing resources with workload.

This type of approach motivates teams to stay consistently productive, while also enabling employees to reach individual targets while feeling challenged but supported. Regular meetings about progress can act as a performance meters or growth indicators that will provide invaluable feedback which may improve the overall management style even further over time.

Technical capability

Having the right technical skills and knowledge is a vital part of being an effective manager in any industry. It's important for managers to have a grasp of the fundamentals, such as understanding key processes, systems, technologies and how they relate to different areas within their business or organisation.

Technical capability is essential for a manager in order to foster understanding between teams, help problem solve quickly and efficiently and provide insight into potential opportunities or risks that may arise.

A good manager should be able to effectively evaluate possible solutions to problems with strong analytical thinking skills whilst also having enough experience in their field of expertise so that decisions are made confidently.

This doesn’t just apply on the job either; it’s just as important when it comes to hiring new team members too. Keeping up with trends relating to technology can help managers identify suitable candidates and make sure that expectations are real-life achievable instead of bloated or overly challenging tasks based upon outdated tech platforms.

Vision and goal setting

Setting goals is an integral part of vision and good management. When done effectively, it can create a powerful boost to team performance. Clear direction brings teams together in pursuit of something tangible while aligning individual contributions with the bigger organisational picture.

Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and relevant - they should contribute to helping employees feel that their work matters and has direction. Good managers also provide motivating feedback on progress which encourages motivation within the team to reach set objectives and move forward passing milestones along the way.

It's important for effective goal setting that targets are not only clear but realistic too; placing undue pressure or goals beyond expectations demotivates employees resulting in lower morale across teams divisions .In conclusion, effective goal setting through vision and leadership provides stability for organisations as well as providing purposeful meaning into daily routine for employees leading towards organisation success!

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How aware are you of your effect on others?

Actionable Tips for Team Success

To help get the most out of a team and their collective efforts, managers should consider effective delegation of tasks, using team collaboration tools to stay connected and building morale with engaging activities.

Align team goals with organisational purpose

Team alignment is key to an organisation’s success – setting common goals which balance individual and collective objectives is the first step. Aligning team goals with organisational purpose can help to foster a productive workplace, enable teams to make sense of their day-to-day tasks, and ultimately lead them towards the desired outcomes.

Effective communication of organisational purpose at every level of the company leads to clear understanding amongst managers and team members alike of what needs to be achieved for success.

Managers must ensure that they convey expectations clearly so everyone knows where they fit within a larger strategy - this includes assigning work each week that incorporates broader company objectives.

Leaders should provide feedback on progress throughout projects, celebrate successes and resolve areas where further improvement or action is needed together with their teams. As well as regular one-on-one meetings between managers and employees, it pays off having specific times or places devoted solely for discussion regarding ambitions (or any other relevant points).

Delegate tasks effectively

The key to delegating tasks effectively is understanding the team's strengths and assigning work according to those strengths. A good manager should have a thorough knowledge of individual employees in their care, so that they can match tasks with skills sets for optimum productivity.

This helps to build the confidence of each employee as they feel challenged while still feeling supported due to being given an appropriate task for their level. A great manager will then go above and beyond by coaching individuals on their assigned tasks - providing resources, advice and building relationships within the team as well as taking time out during one-on-one meetings when necessary.

Delegation not only ensures that important jobs are taken care of efficiently but it also encourages team collaboration, foster supportive working environments and lead towards better workplace communication overall - making delegation is a critical part of any successful management strategy.

Set clear goals and expectations

An effective team is driven by clear goals and expectations. It is essential for managers to define measurable, attainable targets for their employees to keep them engaged and motivated.

By setting aims that are precisely aligned with the organisation's key strategic objectives, teams can better focus on delivering excellent results in a timely manner. This will also help build trust between leader and employee, with everyone working towards the same goal together.

Clearly defined objectives and key results serve as reliable indicators of performance while allowing both leader and team member to make adjustments in order to improve efficiency or refine strategies when needed.

With well-defined objectives in place, it becomes easier for all involved parties to measure progress over time – be it individual deliverables or armed forces tasks – leading to greater overall success at an organisational level.

Utilise collaboration tools

Collaboration tools are absolutely essential for businesses in the modern age. These tools extend beyond basic communication, providing teams with a vital platform to store data, share ideas and collaborate on projects.

A McKinsey report has stated that online collaboration can boost productivity by 20-25 percent - a huge saving for any organisation looking to achieve high performance.

Tools such as Zoom, Skype and Slack have become commonplace in today’s corporate landscape - through these platforms people are able to quickly exchange information without having to be physically present; allowing remote coworkers one unified tool to work alongside each other more efficiently than ever before.

Of course, collaboration is an important part of business whether it’s working together on projects or coordinating tasks but with the right technology if done correctly teamwork can create incredible opportunities for organisations to meet their goals faster and stay ahead of competition.

Engage in team building exercises

Team-building exercises can have a positive effect on team dynamics by helping to break down barriers, improve communication and trust between coworkers, and create an improved working environment.

They can also help to foster collaboration within teams, increase productivity, variation of ideas, creativity and innovation. Problem solving and decision making activities are particularly useful as they challenge team members to think in different ways and develop new solutions to problems while improving their collaborative skills.

By taking part in shared experiences together makes employees feel more connected with each other; increasing morale and job satisfaction over time. Team building exercises not only provide an opportunity for fun but also allow leaders the chance to assess how their groups interact with one another.

One of the most useful teams building exercises we regularly facilitate is not just a fun outward bound “wet weekend in Wales”, but instead teaching people how to safely discuss controversial topics once they return to the office and inevitably need to negotiate about their competing priorities.  Giving everyone a set of tools they can use when feelings run high, they are worried about work, and need to be skilled at winning people’s cooperation when to begin with they are resistant or reluctant can be extremely valuable. If this sounds interesting to you, please get in touch.

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She now feels more confident

The Impact of Good Managers

Good managers are valuable assets to organisations, helping improve employees' morale and quality of work whilst improving productivity and efficiency overall. Their positive influence is acknowledged in the workplace, leading to a beneficial environment with long-term rewards for all involved.

Benefits for employees

Good management and leadership have a direct impact on the success of an organisation, as well as employee engagement and morale. A great manager will be able to foster a culture of open communication, collaboration, trust, innovation and mutual respect within their team.

They can help drive up productivity by providing targeted support and feedback for employees. Good managers should also demonstrate empathy towards their colleagues while holding them accountable to high standards.

This helps create an environment where employees feel safe to take risks without fear of consequences or judgement. Additionally, good managers are adept at developing the skillset of each individual employee so they’re set up for long-term career growth — this acts as a great motivator in itself! With strong leaders that care about their people comes higher levels of job satisfaction coupled with increased commitment from workers who don't only want to meet expectations but also exceed them - all going hand in hand to better businesses overall.

Benefits for the organisation

Good managers can bring a range of distinct and valuable benefits to an organisation. They lead to higher employee engagement, commitment, and productivity within the company which in turn directly impacts its overall success.

Managers can create a healthy work environment by actively engaging with their team members and listening to their needs. Such managers are also able to foster career development amongst employees through providing positive feedback or establishing learning opportunities that bridge skill gaps.

By conducting one on ones they check in on each individual's well-being while creating a sense of community among team members as well as firm trust between them and the leader. A key benefit for organisations is how invested employees become when there is strong leadership – with morale high, everyone contributes at optimal levels allowing for teams or even entire businesses to achieve great things.

Good managers show respect towards individuals which encourages innovation consensus orientation resulting in better outcomes across the board for all stakeholders including wide ranging business goals.

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Are you helping them think for themselves?

How to Find and Develop Great Managers

Recruiting great managers in the organisation requires an approach that includes careful consideration of their individual talents, traits, and abilities. Great managers enable team success by fostering collaboration through an environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas while staying focused on achievable goals.

Theresa May’s (British Prime Minister 2016 - 2019) thoughts on what makes a good manager

  • Not being blown by the wind
  • Having a set of values
  • Know what your aims are
  • More confident at saying no - this is what I want to do
  • The notion that we are a team

Google's tips

Google's People Operations team developed Project Oxygen to identify the behaviours of successful managers. The project involved interviewing hundreds of Google employees and concluded that 8 key traits can help define a great manager: Caring, Coaching, Communicating, Development, Emotional Resilience, Emotional Intelligence (Empathy & Assertiveness), Fair Treatment and Fostering Innovation.

In addition to these core qualities for management success, Google also identified key tips which all managers should strive to achieve. For example making sure goals are aligned with organisational purpose as well as delegating tasks effectively and engaging in team building exercises.

These activities work towards improving the overall team morale while creating an efficient workflow process leading up to better results from teams. Utilising collaboration tools such as video conferencing or virtual offices Visio calls further demonstrates their commitment towards productivity within each workplace environment and providing support when necessary via one-on-one meetings helps build confidence among staff members like no other leadership style can attempt.

Example interview questions

  1. How have you handled challenging situations as a manager?
  2. Describe how you would delegate tasks to your team members.
  3. What methods do you use for goal setting and ensuring that those goals are met?
  4. Can you illustrate how each member of the team contributes to meeting an organisational objective or target in their own way?
  5. What mundane but necessary tasks need to be done, and who should handle them within the team?
  6. Have any of your initiatives been successful at improving workplace performance or morale before, whilst working with other teams progressing towards common objectives faster and more effectively than they did before?
  7. When do you decide it's best to give individual employees autonomy instead of micromanaging them directly yourself?
  8. In what ways can managers create opportunities for learning within the organisation, which ultimately leads employees to professionally evolve in their role and responsibilities efficiently over time?

Development strategies

  1. Establish a learning culture: Encourage and support employees pursuing additional qualifications or courses such as HND, NVQs etc., to build their skillset for better professional and personal growth.
  2. Invest in talent management systems: Use software applications that help manage the goals of the team holistically and individual employee objectives efficiently i.e Personal kanban boards (to do lists), OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) etc.
  3. Develop an efficient training strategy: Create a system which focuses on regular feedback and criticism process between managers-employees to enhance performance and capabilities rapidly including scheduled one to ones with every member of your team this helps manager stay aware of any changes required within teams processes or methods development. It is also important to provide access to self-learning resources like books, podcasts or videos so that employees can further develop themselves through self-directed learning opportunities too with appropriate guidance from managers where needed.
  4. Prioritise communication & collaboration tools: Modernise develops remote productivity through effective use of technology like video conferencing platforms (Zoom) project planning apps (Trello), group chat app (Slack), cloud storage shared directories (Google Drive). Having strong processes for managing projects where each member has clarity around their deliverables will increase output efficiency making sure it’s easy for them to share documents in real time helping keep colleagues connected no matter how far they are from each other physically works also strongly here!
  5. Get comfortable with mentorship: Ensure understanding writing definitive expectations introduced by the organisation defines those between management mentorships tones trust necessary so individuals may progress without feeling restricted by standards hinder cooperation hence must be maintained carefully along with ability tap right insights potential business improvements, problem-solving together journey towards aspiring career goals.

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Learn how to be both firm and fair

The Importance of Caring Leadership

Caring leadership can lead to a successful team environment that encourages employees to stay motivated, productive and take ownership for their work.

How employees respond to caring leaders

When a leader is seen as caring, respectful and open to listening to feedback from their team, employees are more likely to take ownership of the tasks given and give their best efforts.

Employees feel confident in knowing that if they have any questions or issues with work assigned, they can easily approach their manager for help without feeling judged. Because of this trust, employees show increased motivation to perform well and demonstrate loyalty toward the leader.

This creates an environment where everyone works together collaboratively at higher levels than previously envisioned.

A well as employee morale boosting, research has also shown that good leaders create long-term positive impacts on organisations’ performance metrics such as profits and customer satisfaction ratings - all because of how well cared for staff feel when taken care by the leader’s compassionate behaviour.

Building better businesses with caring leaders

Having a leader or manager who is caring and genuinely looks out for their team can have a hugely positive impact on businesses. Servant leadership is strongly based in ethical and caring behaviour, with good leaders engaging in open communication to encourage professional as well as personal development for employees.

This leads to increased employee happiness, productivity and connections within the organisation - aspects that are critical for achieving successful outcomes.

Timely feedback sessions with managers that focus on solutions rather than the issue itself foster trust between team members and confidence in decision making, leading to higher levels of employee engagement, visibility into other departments' progress and goal setting alignment among teams when properly implemented.

Business models such as Gangplank which provide bottom-up decisions made by all members regardless of their hierarchical position lead to more meaningful work environments where everyone’s contributions are equally appreciated instead of just rewarding highly placed authority figures.

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Learn how to be soft on the person yet tough on the issue

5 Mistakes Good Managers Should Avoid

Being mindful of common pitfalls and understanding how to avoid them is essential for effective management.

Micromanagement

Micromanagement is a management style where managers closely monitor or directly control the work of their employees. This often involves micromanagers frequently asking questions or dictating how tasks should be completed, rather than allowing employees to take charge and autonomously deliver results themselves.

Micromanaging can cause many adverse effects, such as stifling creativity and innovation, reducing productivity levels, draining morale among workers who feel disgruntled about being monitored constantly, creating an uncomfortable working environment with no room for autonomy or personal growth.

As well as this it signals a lack of trust in employees to do their job which leads to decreased engagement due to fear-driven motivation instead of goal-oriented drive. To avoid becoming a micromanager, managers must strive for clarity when assigning tasks while giving adequate time frames in which they should be accomplished and continuously providing feedback along the way.

Spoon-feeding solutions

It is important for managers to avoid the temptation to spoon-feed solutions as it may have a detrimental effect on employees. Spoon-feeding can lead staff members to become overly dependent and compliant instead of encouraging their self-sufficiency.

With too much handholding, team members risk not developing important problem solving abilities or learning key skills that other colleagues in the organisation might possess. This way, even with spoon feeding from those above them they will fail when taking up new leadership roles due to lack of experience in decision making and facing challenges independently.

This approach could also be unproductive for managers who may find themselves spending too much time dealing with simple problems rather than thinking about innovative strategies or tackling more complicated projects.

It is beneficial for both employees and employers if leaders cultivate an environment where workers are motivated to take ownership of their tasks while having faith in each member of their teams’ strengths and capabilities by building trust and keeping a safe space across departments at work.

A good manager needs to remember that providing excessive support could erode accountability dropping the overall performance level within the organisation leading towards negative consequences such as poor customer service causing loss in profits for companies or losses due lack indelible errors costing salaries paid out via overtime rates.

Failing to define goals

Failure to define and set clear goals for the team can lead to a lack of direction in the workplace and thus, poor performance. Without well-defined objectives, there is no focus on what needs to be done or how it should be achieved - key components that are needed in order for teams to reach their full potential.

Team members become uncertain about expectations and leave tasks incomplete due to not understanding their importance or priority level. This has an adverse effect on productivity as tasks remain uncompleted as they would have been completed if clear targets were set between manager and employee.

Failing to align team goals with company-wide objectives compromises larger organisational success. By working towards disparate aims across different departments can detract from stretching ambition of the organisation’s overall aim; consequently leading employees down his individual paths instead of collective forward motion eventual outcome taken aim at.

Leading with an egoistic mindset

Ego-driven leadership is a major problem in the workplace, as it can lead to a lack of connection between managers and their teams. In essence, when managers become too focused on their own selfish desires or success stories at the expense of everyone else they are no longer connecting with their team members in an effective way.

This mentality can keep them from hearing alternative perspectives which could ultimately benefit both individuals and organisations alike. Additionally, such an egoistic mindset undermines trust and results-oriented decision making; if workers are sure decisions have only been made to bolster a manager's perception instead of prioritising real organisational objectives then any sense of shared purpose is lost.

Finally, this kind of attitude can promote unprofessional behaviour that may exclude some teammates while favouring others - acting unfairly towards certain team members can damage morale across the entire workforce.

Displaying blatant favouritism

is damaging to both employees and organisations. It not only creates tension in the workplace but can also lead to poor morale, a breakdown of team dynamics, and a decrease in productivity.

Signs of favouritism at work may include providing preferential treatment, spending time talking with a select few colleagues instead of speaking equally with all staff members, giving undeserved promotions or incentives,, or disregarding violations amongst certain people while punishing others for the same behaviour.

Managers must be aware of these signs so they know when favouritism exits and what protocols need to be put in place so that everyone is treated fairly. Making it known that no special privileges are given due particular friendships will help clear any confusion or expectations between co-workers.

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People can't help arguing when they feel misunderstood

Traits of Top-Performing Managers

Leaders who thrive on bringing out the best in their team and consistently reach challenging goals have certain common traits which set them apart from others. Read this blog to discover the essential skills of a top-performing manager.

Not being blown by the wind

Great managers have the able to stay focused on their team's objectives and goals regardless of external pressure or changes in course. A determination to make the company succeed is essential for manager’s to achieve high performance results, demonstrating a strong sense of commitment and dedication to their teams which contributes significantly towards successful management.

Making decisions with knowledge and thought, rather than succumbing to outside influence shows that leaders stand by their own values and beliefs--despite any push-back or resistance.

Having remained consistent throughout turbulent times will result in trust between the manager and team members, showing that they won’t waver from commitments made; something that often outweighs technical competence when developing relationships with employees.

Having a set of values

A great manager should have a strong set of values that guides their decision making, leadership style and day-to-day interactions with the team. Having a strong set of values allows managers to demonstrate consistency in action and results, which in turn helps build trust among team members.

A good set of values will give the manager something to continually work towards - it can serve as an internal compass for setting goals, solving complicated problems and providing directions to employees when they feel lost or overwhelmed.

Values like communication, integrity and fairness are essential elements for any successful manager; having them creates an atmosphere where people are encouraged to follow your lead irrespective of disagreements or mistakes made by you or others.

This ensures improved productivity as everyone is on board with your direction - knowing that every individual’s opinion matters and positive outcomes stem from working together instead of against each other.

Know what your aims are

A great manager prioritises their team's stated goals and leads them from the front. They have clarity over each member’s role as well as where to focus attention to maximise productivity.

To achieve success, managers must identify achievable objectives with measurable outcomes and effectively communicate these targets to their staff so they can work more efficiently.

Knowing what the end goal is allows administrators to make quality decisions that will help move everyone towards a shared outcome and drive positive results for both employees and the organisation as a whole.

The best managers prioritise communication, feedback, delegation of tasks, alignment with organisational mission(s), appreciation of individual strengths within the group dynamics - all while keeping an eye on short-term versus long-term needs.

Being confident at saying no - this is what I want to do

One of the most important traits a great manager can possess is the ability to confidently say no. Knowing what your team’s aims are will help you identify tasks that do not serve them and assign work based on measurable long term objectives.

Being assertive in setting goals shows employees that their manager has clear direction, which builds trust and increases morale; having someone at the helm firmly steering towards success for all involved.

Confidence in decisions indicates clarity of thought -- it gives others faith in a steadying presence, even when risks arise or changes come along. A great manager does not blow with the wind, adapting course as each whim arrives; but rather stands proudly and courageously by their convictions regardless of opposition along the way while be willing to accept rationale from time to time if necessary.

Aligning organisational purpose with team goals

The alignment of individual and organisational goals is one of the key elements for attaining high team performance. It helps teams focus on their objectives, which in turn will enable organisations to better achieve their desired results.

Good managers must be able to understand the company’s purpose and mission as well as the objectives that each individual team member has. By aligning them, team members can unify and work towards achieving a common goal with greater ease as they know what specific steps need to be taken in order to move forward.

This also creates an environment for management where feedback, communication, collaboration and decision-makingbecome smoother processes due to everyone being on board with understanding why and how tasks are accomplished.

Setting clear expectations also enables organisation leaders to evaluate progress more accurately while eliminating misunderstandings concerning different roles within a business or project unit.

Bringing out the best in their team

Good managers recognise that their team has potential, and it is their job to uncover it. An effective manager finds ways to connect each employee's strengths with the overall project goals and objectives.

This allows them to inspire growth while also harnessing a strong level of motivation in order to encourage improved performance. Every team thrives on trust, so good managers should build relationships that will foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing opinions and developing ideas without fear of judgement or ridicule.

It can also be beneficial for managers to regularly have one-on-one meetings with employees as this further strengthens relationships within the workplace while at the same time enables the development of critical skills such as decision making and better time management.

Setting clear goals and expectations

Having an effective manager is key to the success of any organisation and one of the most important qualities a good manager should possess is that they are able to accurately communicate their expectations and set clear goals.

Clear communication enables employees to feel more connected and gives them an understanding of how their work contributes towards organisational objectives, thus making it easier for them to stay motivated.

Good managers listen carefully, respond quickly, clarify tasks and celebrate successes when appropriate.

This kind clarity helps foster trust between management and staff since everyone within the team knows what’s expected of them – from team members who may need extra guidance on certain tasks all the way up to seasoned professionals who will likely be given autonomy in completing assigned responsibilities.

Being aware from day one precisely what's needed prevents misunderstandings or ambiguity due down the road which can cause confusion amongst teams. Quality managers also understand when updates or changes need circulating quickly - keeping everyone equally informed ensures there won't be any surprises concerning deadlines or task completion status.

Demonstrating empathy

Empathy is a hugely important quality for managers. When team members feel that their manager truly cares, they're more likely to invest in their own well-being and performance. Making an effort to show your staff that you empathise with them demonstrates respect and helps build trust, which can have tremendous flow on effects on the team's productivity.

An empathetic approach will also make it easier for employees to open up about problems, enabling managers to act sooner and with greater understanding in addressing any issues while finding solutions from multiple perspectives.

Empathy also plays an essential role in building relationships which are crucial for teams who thrive through collaboration. For instance, when a project seems insurmountable or outside of what might be considered ‘normal roles’, engaging new ideas and diverse perspectives can help get the job done better than ever before if done mindfully without fear or judgement from leaders - this requires empathy! Demonstrating empathy doesn't only benefit employees; research shows there are positive impacts on companies too as good morale increases work efficiency whilst reducing stress amongst staff members thus reducing costs associated with downtime due to illness or disengagement Therefore exemplary leadership takes strategy but listening carefully and compassionately should be at its heart meaning, showing genuine care towards each individual should come first before anything else.

Utilising the latest technology and techniques

Good managers know that the latest technology and digital tools can help improve performance outcomes and fuel team success. Digital data analytics, workflow systems, AI-powered tools, and a range of collaborative platforms offer multiple opportunities to track performance progress in real time, seamlessly communicate with teammates or colleagues even when geographically dispersed, manage tasks more effectively through workflows and alerts, provide ongoing professional development for employees to maximise their value to the organisation’s strategic direction as well as automate mundane processes.

By leveraging these resources correctly – whether it be task tracking software such as Trello or JIRA for project management duties; business intelligence (BI) modules for decision making purposes; cloud storage services such as Dropbox or Unuport solutions to securely store company documents - organisations today can drive improved engagement levels from staff whilst setting them up for greater productivity.

Moreover, effective leadership also involves continuous training and employee recognition tech solutions which aid user retention in current roles by offering higher learning opportunities coupled with rewards system integration into their daily functions.

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Conclusion

The success of an organisation depends on the effectiveness of its management. Good managers need a combination of key qualities such as caring, communication, development, emotional intelligence and resilience, fair treatment, fostering innovation and motivation to bring out the best in teams.

When good managers are utilised effectively it has numerous benefits for both their team and the organisation: better alignment between team goals and organisational purpose; clear expectations being set; effective delegation strategies; transparent collaboration tools; enhanced teamwork dynamics through recreational activities etcetera.

Manager's individual leadership traits such as goal setting skills, technical capability to use new techniques & technology etcetera also play a big part in determining overall team success or failure.

To summarise briefly: there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing - but knowing what qualities make up excellent managers helps organisations find individuals with potentials who are capable taking responsibility in driving organisational growth!

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Now by involving people he takes them with him

FAQs

1. What makes a good manager?

A good manager should have excellent decision making skills, the ability to motivate their team with respect and honesty, and clearly convey the team's goals. They should also be exemplary in taking responsibility for their actions and setting a good example to those they manage.

2. How can I become a better manager?

In addition to developing management skills such as seeing things from different perspectives or actively listening to employees’ feedback, placing importance on one-on-one meetings is vital for any manager looking to improve themselves.

Most importantly, managers Need To provide Encouragement while also offering constructive criticism when required.  A Good Manager needs to be able to inspire their team members by displaying commitment and enthusiasm for the task ahead whilst maintaining an open dialogue. Good managers know how to both give and receive feedback regularly. This is key to understanding how well your management style has been perceived and adjusted accordingly. Taking responsibility when necessary shows you are respectful of those around you which Is instrumental when it comes to developing authority over them.

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