A manager plays a crucial role in an organisation’s daily affairs. He/she ensures the smooth running of the mid-level management by playing the roles of a planner, coordinator, producer and marketer, thereby freeing the top leadership from these responsibilities, so that it can focus on more important tasks like charting out the future growth strategies.
The success of an organisation depends on the manager’s ability to effectively use resources to achieve business goals. Rapid changes occur in areas such as technology, production methods, marketing techniques, and financial structures. A competent manager should be able to adapt to these changes and implement them into the company’s operations to keep the business ahead in the market competition.
In this article, we will talk about the abilities which a manager needs to possess in order to become an asset for the company he or she is working in. It will deal more with the behavioural/mentoring side of the individual, as a good manager can keep his/her company ahead of the curve by keeping the team members motivated and well-trained to meet the business goals.
Inspiring The Employees
Dominique Harroch, Chief of Staff at AllBusiness, said, “Managers can inspire their teams to excel by setting a compelling vision and leading by example. By clearly articulating a shared purpose and demonstrating commitment through their own actions, managers motivate employees to align their efforts with the team’s goals.”
A good manager should always encourage personal growth and recognise individual achievements, which will, in turn, foster a culture of continuous improvement, thereby boosting team morale.
When managers actively support and celebrate progress, they end up cultivating an environment where employees are driven to surpass expectations and contribute their best efforts.
Provide Clear Communication And Expectations
A good (or great) manager carries the quality of clearly communicating the company’s business goals to his/her team members and how the latter can achieve those targets. The mid-level leaders need to inculcate the habit of setting precise expectations and deliverables paired with clear timelines, apart from letting the employees know what role they exactly should play to fulfil the team goals. Such clarity reduces anxiety and allows everyone on the team to focus on their tasks without unnecessary confusion.
Managers also need to set high but reasonable expectations, to strike a balance between motivating employees and ensuring achievable goals. High expectations inspire team members to strive for excellence, fostering a culture of ambition and continuous improvement, while promoting healthy collaboration between the manager and employee.
Integrity is another cornerstone. Managers need to stick to their word and be honest about the professional challenges the teams are about to face.
Show Empathy And Flexibility
A good manager considers his/her team members humans first and employees second. If as a team leader, you want your team to work hard, then you must lead from the front as well. If you preach work-life balance, ensure that everyone in your team gets to enjoy the perk as well. If you want your employees to work at weekends or late nights, do the same as well.
Great managers understand that a team’s success often hinges on their ability to lead with clarity and decisiveness. Leadership is about more than just managing tasks. It’s about motivating people to achieve their best work.
“Confident leaders don’t shy away from making tough decisions, and their self-assurance instils confidence in their teams. They are willing to take calculated risks, trust their instincts, and stand by their decisions,” Harroch commented.
The ability to understand and manage emotions, both the manager’s and those of his/her teammates, is essential for fostering a positive workplace. Managers, apart from being empathetic and self-aware, should be adept at navigating interpersonal dynamics. They should be able to read the room (judging the workplace atmosphere), diffuse tension, and respond to challenges with calm and composure. This will make them more approachable, apart from strengthening their relationships with their team.
Provide Regular Feedback And Organised Follow-up
The best leaders are the ones who not only proactively monitor the progress of projects but also provide regular, constructive feedback. Regular and consistent check-in meetings not only contribute to employees’ continuous career growth but also demonstrate that a manager cares about the company’s progress and is invested in the success of their employees.
“The best leaders know how to keep their tasks, projects, and teams organised. This means setting priorities, managing time efficiently, and keeping track of deadlines. An organised manager can maintain control over their work environment, which in turn helps the team stay focused and productive. Disorganisation, on the other hand, leads to missed deadlines, confusion, and unnecessary stress,” Harroch said.
Mentorship: A Crucial Trait
A great manager should always be hands-on, when it comes to training and developing his/her employees. The best managers don’t just assign tasks and hope for the best. Instead, they invest in their team’s growth by providing necessary opportunities and resources for learning. Training, just like knowledge, is not a one-time event but an ongoing process.
By prioritising continuous learning, a good manager only empowers his/her team members to take on more responsibilities, grow their skills, and feel confident in their roles. Good managers praise their employees privately, in front of their peers and even their superiors when deserved. They also give credit where it’s due, rather than taking it for themselves. This simple act of recognition fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivates the entire team.
Through continuous training, a brilliant manager puts his/her focus on addressing the employees’ weaknesses, apart from expanding their strengths and skills, seeing strong performers as valuable assets and investing in their professional well-being further. By prioritising mentorship, a good manager creates an environment where individuals are empowered to reach their full potential, ultimately enhancing the team’s collective performance and success.
“Managers can foster a productive work environment by allowing employees to fail safely, which is essential for growth, creativity, and innovation. To do this effectively, they should create a supportive atmosphere where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, rather than failures,” Harroch concluded.