Having a good manager is arguably the most important element of any successful workplace. A manager's role is to lead, motivate, and guide their team towards achieving company goals whilst fostering a positive work environment.
Below I have listed key features a strong manager will possess, combined with the opinions of my colleagues as to what they consider to be those top qualities.
Leadership:
An effective leader is someone that people look up to. They should inspire and motivate their team, leading by example and demonstrating the qualities they want everyone to embody. Good managers understand the importance of empowering their team members and giving them the autonomy they need to excel in their roles. I would say this personally is one of the most important features for me, because I tend to follow by example. When my manager shows that they are a powerful leader, I aim to achieve high results and demonstrate how their leadership coaches me to be strong in my own right.
Emotional intelligence:
Emotional intelligence is another essential quality of a good manager. They should be able to understand their team emotionally and respond appropriately to their needs. They should be able to empathise with their team members and create a positive work environment that fosters collaboration and trust. My colleague, Sam, says that having a manager with good emotional understanding and the ability to listen to the needs of others is the most important aspect to her. She has a busy work and personal life and finds that there can be a crossover. Having a manager that can provide her with support and an ear when needed helps give Sam that fine balance.
Strong Communication Skills and Encouragement:
A crucial skill that a manager should possess is strong communication skills. They should be able to articulate their vision and goals effectively to their team members, give clear instructions, and provide feedback that is both constructive and actionable. My fellow HR colleague, Louisa, says that having that access to your manager from a communication perspective is essential for her. Whilst a manager has many responsibilities to juggle, giving feedback, both positive and negative, is so important to Louisa so she feels she can progress and grow within her career whilst maximising her productivity. Kathryn, the director at Lily Shippen too, agrees that having 360 feedback is very important to her as a manager. She can deliver feedback effectively and agrees with the importance of doing so, but in addition, she wants to have feedback in return for how she can better herself and how she can build on her existing skillset in her management role. Victoria, Managing Consultant at Lily Shippen, says that she believes in giving her colleagues motivation and encouragement as a manager. On a tougher day, colleagues that need a little pick me up or a motivational quote can go to Victoria. She feels boosting morale shows a strong correlation with productivity and results in the workplace.
Organisational Skills:
The ability to organise and prioritise tasks is another important quality of a good manager. They should be able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and delegate tasks to the appropriate team members effectively. They should also be able to adapt to changing circumstances and adjust their plans accordingly. However, It is also important for a manager to give themselves a good work-life balance. As they are on the go all of the time, separating work life from their own private life can be challenging, but taking some time away from their work in the evening and weekends will allow them to have a clearer mind and be more productive during the working day.
Problem-Solving Skills:
A good manager should have excellent problem-solving skills. They should be able to identify issues and find solutions quickly and effectively. They should also be able to anticipate problems and take proactive steps to prevent them from occurring.
Flexibility:
A good manager should be flexible and adaptable. They should be able to respond to changes in the workplace and adjust their plans accordingly. They should also be open to feedback and willing to make changes to improve their leadership style. At Lily Shippen, we honour a fantastic flexible working scheme whereby we can match our lifestyle to our work pattern. For those days when we’re having a slower morning, we can come in later, and if we had post-work commitments, we could leave earlier to make those times. It’s important that managers offer that same flexibility in their management style so that a company can truly live and breathe that element of ‘flexible working'.
To conclude my points, a good manager is an essential element of a working environment. They possess a range of qualities, and each contributes to a sustainable place that encourages collaboration, trust, and innovation.
If you would like to speak to someone at Lily Shippen in more detail about how you can be a good manager, discuss any problems you are having with a manager or even about how to become a good manager yourself with one of our fantastic roles on at the moment then reach out to us at recruitment@lilyshippen.co.uk