If you do a good job you will be more than likely be identified as someone having the potential to manage others. For just about every profession this is the norm.
Yet I am sure you like everyone else have seen people who do great work and struggle when it comes to managing. In some ways this should not be a surprise. After all managing is a whole lot different to being the person who can get things done.
A question that I am asked fairly often is what makes a good manager. The truth is there is not just one variable that makes someone a good manager. It’s a combination of things.
Recognition That It Is A Different Role
Should people really need to be reminded of this? Probably not. Yet there is a difference between knowing that it is different role and changing the way you operate. You need to be able to make the shift mentally away from being the person who does it all to the person who facilitates.
Self Confidence
A good manager is self confident. They are aware that they are good at what they do and at the same time are aware of areas that they need to work on. They will also have a go and try to make things happen, comfortable in the knowledge that they will get things wrong.
Someone Who Listens
One of the biggest gripes from people is that those who manage them don’t listen to them. Alternatively they give the impression that they are listening but never act on others ideas. When we listen we get feedback and insight. We get ideas. All of which help you to be a better manager.
Someone Who Delegates
It never ceases to amaze me how many managers say they don’t have time to delegate. Of course you can do something quicker than others and if it is a one-off task it might be the right thing to do. If it is something that needs doing over and over again, it is a one-off investment of time to get ongoing savings in your time.
Someone Who Creates A Good Working Environment
The demands on people at work are increasing all of the time. However, that does not mean that it has to be all gloom and doom. Go out of your way where create a good working environment.
Someone Who Supports Others
The best managers I worked for had one thing in common. They took a genuine interest in helping me to achieve what I wanted to achieve professionally. These days if you make it a habit to support others to achieve what they want, you will be head and shoulders above the majority.
Someone Who Can Keep Things In Perspective
It is tough at times when you are managing. When under pressure it is easy to feel like the whole world is against you. Good managers appreciate that this is not the case and keep a sense of perspective.
Someone Who Remembers To Do The Obvious
So much research shows that people leave a job not because they dislike it or because they don’t like the organisation. They leave because of their manager. If you are under a lot of pressure it is so easy to forget to do all the obvious things that really make a difference to people. Such as praising good work, saying thank you to people when they have achieved that demanding deadline or pulled together to cover the work of colleagues in an emergency.
The reality is that managing is tough. At the same time there is an awful lot that you can do to make you a good manager. At the end of the day, your success depends on you being able to get the best from those that you manage.
Duncan Brodie is Managing Director of Goals and Achievements and helps organisations and individuals to become even better managers. Learn more here.