How to Be a Good Manager

Good managers welcome employee questions and input about work activities.

Good managers possess qualities that make them effective and efficient in their jobs. Being a good manager does not happen overnight; it takes time to learn and develop the essential skills and qualities needed. Good managers work hard, communicate well, make wise decisions and create efficient working environments for their employees.

Instructions

1. Understand the company's vision and goals. If you fully understand the firm's objectives, you have more chance of fulfilling them. The goals give a manager guidance and a clear direction while doing his job and help him to succeed.

2. Demonstrate good communication skills. A good manager must be able to convey the goals of the company to the employees performing the work. She must be able to delegate duties to others in a clear manner. She should assist all employees by answering questions and offering additional advice and suggestions when staff are unclear of their duties and responsibilities.

3. Be respectful. Managers should not expect employees to do any type of work they would not be willing to do themselves. This habit builds respect between the manager and the employees. A good manager is able to empower the people around him to strive hard to achieve goals. This begins with respect. If employees respect their manager, they may work harder. However, this is a two-way street; managers must show respect to workers before they will do the same for her. One way to ensure this is for a manager to treat all employees equally and fairly.

4. Build morale with employees; make them feel a sense of importance. A good manager does this by encouraging workers, complimenting them and treating them fairly. According to Bill Gates, this is a vital quality for managers. They must build a sense of teamwork among the employees and, when they accomplish something, let them know that they worked well as a team and tell them "good job." Building morale includes making the employees feel that every person's job is crucial for the success of the company.

5. Maintain an efficient environment. A good manager sets effective work standards and practices and creates an environment that allows employees to flourish in their work. Monitor the work environment often to ensure that it is designed in the most effective manner possible.

6. Create a strong team of employees. According to Bill Gates, a good manager must hire individuals who are good additions to the team. He must also be able to handle firing employees who are not measuring up. A good manager must look at the qualities of employees and be able to match each with the most suitable job for them.

Tips & Warnings

• Your employees will respect you if you respect them.

• Trust your employees and they will likely give you a reason to trust them.

• Make employees feel appreciated if they bring forth ideas for improving the company, even if their ideas aren't used.

• Give employees the tools they need for their job. Listen to their suggestions if they don't feel that their current tools are the best available.

• Don't micromanage employees, especially those that have been with your company for many years. Nothing will make them feel more unappreciated.

References

• Successful Supervision: Qualities of a Good Manager
• Office Arrow: COACH: Do You Have What It Takes to be a Manager?; Deborah S. Hildebrand
• Work Life Coach: The Top 10 "Qualities" that Make a Good Manager According to Bill Gates