5 Qualities of a Good Manager

Ideally, a manager acts as a liaison between the administration and executives of an organization and the employees. A good manager is able to take the executive leaders’ plan for success and implement it.

There are many different qualities that a great manager should have. The manager’s personality and behavior set the tone for the workplace. Managers must be flexible, communicate well and be able to meet the needs of both their bosses and their employees.

Five of the essential qualities of a manager include the following.

1. Having a Vision

Being able to see the big picture and the company’s goals is a much-needed trait for a manager. Being able to translate that vision into practice is an even better skill. When managers can see what the future holds, then they can make changes and communicate this vision to their employees. This leads to being able to meet goals successfully and troubleshooting barriers and issues well.

2. Developing Talent

A great manager not only meets the needs of their employees, but also sees their strengths and weaknesses. When employees are struggling with their assignments, being able to work with them to find better ways of achieving goals or altering training to meet their needs are important. Conversely, seeing an employee’s potential and honing those skills and knowledge should also be in the wheelhouse of a great manager. Developing employee skills, knowledge and talent leads to a more successful organization in the long run.

3. Continual Learning

Staying at the cutting edge of trends and advancements in your field is a great way to engage not only employees, but also those in higher positions. A great manager is always open to learning about new concepts and new ideas. Evolution can happen so rapidly in an industry that it may be difficult to keep up. Good managers are able to admit when they are not up to speed and then take the initiative required to fill in their gaps.

4. Communicating Empathetically

Great managers don’t need to sit down and listen to the life story of every employee in their charge. However, managers must foster an environment of open communication and empathy. Poor communication that involves condescending phrases like “because I said so” and an unwillingness to work with employees who learn by conversation are recipes for a discontented and unproductive workforce. Great managers listen to their employees and coworkers. They are open to debate and able to assess and troubleshoot communication issues head-on when required.

5. Bonding With Coworkers

As mentioned, a great manager doesn’t have to be everyone’s best friend. But a great leader leads by example. Successful managers are able to work closely with their employees and use the same tools to achieve the ultimate goals of the organization. Conveying to employees (and to executives) that you are able to work on all levels of an organization means that you have a deep understanding of the organization and can lead within it.