- Management is all about people. Good managers take the time to learn employees’ strengths and weaknesses. They spend time and energy on developing people’s talents.
- Good mangers know the value of knowledge. It is important for managers to know enough to help employees with their work. A manager who knows less than the people he or she manages will not command their respect.
- Good managers periodically go back to school. Organizations like the American Management Association offer a wide variety of management-development programs. Attending seminars will help managers acquire important management skills.
- Good managers read books on management. The management techniques and real-life examples contained in such books help develop management skills.
- Most good managers have mentors. There are times when managers need feedback. Mentors’ experiences and insights help managers.
- Efficient managers learn to listen to others. It is challenging for many managers to talk less and listen more. Listening, however, is the best way to establish relationships with team members, understand them, and assess them.
- Effective managers treat employees as individuals. They respect team members’ values and their commitments. In their companies’ best interests, managers may help employees pursue their interests and aspirations.
- Dynamic managers challenge existing practices. They are not afraid of trying something new even though newness may invite resistance and may fail.
- Real managers are able to admit failures, knowing that they can learn from each failure. They also accept responsibility for their failures.
- Good managers celebrate successes, but they also share credit with their colleagues.
- Efficient managers possess foresight and vision. They learn to look beyond daily activities and temporary setbacks.
- Good managers have plans for the future, and they share them with employees. Their visions bind their teams together. Teams cannot perform when they are kept in the dark.
- Genuine managers protect their teams. They stand by their teams when they execute plans. They help employees who are battling workplace complexities.
- Efficient managers have flexible approaches. They realize that all situations and all individuals are different. By trying different things, they develop effective methods.
- Good managers monitor their own performances and seek feedback from colleagues and staff.
Anger and flamboyance are not the qualities of great managers. On the contrary, modest, quiet, and considerate people have proven to be better managers.
