Qualities of an Exceptional Manager

Often we think of a great manager as someone who is a born leader. This thinking suggests that management skill is inborn not learned. It is true that some people have 'charisma" or a natural appeal that makes others want to follow their lead. While some people are born leaders, the rest of us can develop and enhance our management ability.

Based on more than 30 years in the workplace, these are 9 of the most important qualities of an effective manager.

They earn respect through their actions. In particular, they are approachable and non-threatening, they know how to listen, they always treat others with dignity, and they are perceived to be fair.

They are quick to give credit to others for their contributions. They know that recognizing and rewarding achievement not only is the right thing to do but that it helps to build loyalty and inspires employees to do their best.

They are open to new ideas. Great managers realize that some of the best ideas come from those employees who are in the trenches everyday and, therefore, who have hands-on experience with what is working well and what can be improved. Good managers actively seek suggestions for ways to enhance productivity, cut costs, and boost sales. In addition, they encourage risk-taking and welcome ideas that are new, innovative, unusual and even extreme.

They are honest. They know that integrity is critical for trust and that trust is essential for team work to flourish.

They are their team members' strongest advocate. They may not win every battle with top management, but their employees know that they have done their best to support and protect them.

They have a clear-eyed view of how they and their team can contribute to the overall success of the company. They know the business well and understand where they and their team fit into the company's strategy. Their focus is on helping team members direct their efforts to those projects, tasks and goals that will most directly benefit the firm.

They are good communicators. People perform best when they are given clearly defined goals, time frames, benchmarks and expectations. A good manager is able to provide clear guidelines without taking away autonomy and self direction, both of which are critical for employee satisfaction. Getting the right balance can be difficult, but it can make the difference between success and failure.

They are excellent listeners. They take the time to really listen to what team members say about their jobs, including their concerns and aspirations, and they ask for and respond to feedback rather than simply providing direction.

They are willing to delegate responsibility to others and are good teachers who prepare team members to excel. They consider it a success when a team member moves on to a more senior position with greater responsibility.

Sources:

Tom Hopkins, http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Hopkins11.html, Ten Characteristics of a Great Manager

More from this Contributor:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-Job-Advancement-ac-2714945796.html?x=0, First Person: Job Advancement Strategies for Overqualified Employees

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-Perspective-Tips-ac-2803076399.html?x=0, First Person Perspective: Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Job

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-Finance-ac-1321118518.html?x=0

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