The 10 Qualities that Make For Effective Managers

The 10 Qualities that Make For Effective Managers

Today’s managers face a variety of challenges. In addition to juggling performance reviews, strategy sessions and employee training, they must also contend with an increasing amount of pressure from customers, investors and the general public. As a result, today’s managers must demonstrate their ability to lead effectively under extreme stress. In response to this challenge, many universities have begun offering management certificate programs that focus on the day-to-day operation of a company. While most standard MBA programs still focus on general leadership principles rather than managerial skills, there are some qualities that can make you an effective manager regardless of your job title or field of study. These 10 qualities can make you an effective manager no matter who your employees are or what your organization does. For example:

 


 

Focus on the Company’s Culture

Managers who excel at creating strong organizational cultures are also likely to excel at everything else on this list. By focusing on the company culture, managers can ensure that their employees are happy and productive. When hiring employees, this type of manager emphasizes the company culture and uses it as a screening tool. This ensures that only employees who fit the company’s culture are brought on board. Managers who focus on strong cultures also make sure that their employees are actively engaged in the activities that make up the culture. Whether it’s playing ping-pong in the break room or dressing up in costumes during a themed holiday, managers who focus on culture engage their employees and make them feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

 

Create a Clear Vision

A manager who can clearly communicate the company’s vision is a manager who can manage employees effectively. In fact, communication is one of the primary challenges that managers must overcome. Visions are not something that business owners or managers are born with. Instead, a vision is a goal that you set for yourself and your organization. If you want your employees to trust you, vision is an essential quality. A manager with a clear vision is also likely to have a better grasp of the company’s long-term goals. This means that she will be better equipped to lead her employees through the daily challenges of the job.



 

Establish Effective Communication Channels

Workers of the 21st century are a diverse group. However, most of them are accustomed to communicating via texting, email and other written mediums. A manager who understands this is more likely to communicate effectively with her employees and get them on board with company objectives. When hiring employees, managers who take communication into account are more likely to hire people who are already accustomed to communicating in the company’s preferred mediums. This can make the onboarding process more efficient and help you get your employees up to speed more quickly.

 

Help Employees Develop Their Skills

You can evaluate and train employees all you want, but if you aren’t helping them develop their skills, you aren’t doing your job. A good manager will help employees identify their strengths and weaknesses and then find ways to help them overcome the latter and improve the former. By actively engaging in employee development, managers can help their employees become more confident in their roles. In turn, this can make it easier for employees to interact with customers, other departments and each other. This type of manager is also likely to lead her employees to feel more appreciated and stay with the company for longer. Both of these outcomes make for a stronger organization.



Check in with Employees During the Hiring Process

Before you hire a new employee, it makes sense to check in with your current team and find out what they are hoping to get out of the hiring process. By talking to your employees and getting their feedback on the hiring process, you can make sure that the candidate you select will mesh well with your team. When hiring, managers who check in with their employees are more likely to find candidates who will fit in well with the rest of the team. This can make it easier to get new employees up to speed and give your team members a better idea of how they can approach the new hire.

 

Provide Constant Feedback to Employees

Managers who are good at providing constant feedback will notice when their employees are struggling and help them get back on track. Not only does this help your company avoid harm, but it also gives your employees an opportunity to learn from their mistakes. By actively looking for ways to provide feedback, you can ensure that your employees are always learning and growing. This can make your team stronger, more productive, and better equipped to meet its challenges.


Celebrate Employee Achievements

People are motivated by different things. For example, some employees are motivated by money, while others are motivated by praise. A manager who recognizes and celebrates his employees’ wins is more likely to retain employees who are passionate about their roles. By giving your employees praise when they accomplish something meaningful, you can make the job more enjoyable for them. This can make it easier for your team members to approach their work and build strong relationships with customers.

 

Summing Up

At the end of the day, leaders are supposed to be the ones who set the example and show others how to do things the right way. All of these qualities are important, but they can only be effective if they are coming from the top. If you want to be a leader, you have to be able to demonstrate these qualities so that everyone below you knows how to do things the right way as well. If you want to be effective, you have to be able to do all of these things.