Are you a good people-Manager?

In all the years of experience behind me, I have had managers that I have looked up to and the ones that came across weak and I felt as if they could not do a thing for their employees.  The managers I looked up to, all seemed to share traits that the others did not have.  Here is a list I have compiled of their personas:

·         They leave their mood swings back in their private lives the minute they step into work environment.

·         They take criticism and constructive feedback in a professional manner, even if it involves a close family member or a friend that reports to them.

·         They show genuine sincerity in wanting the best for you.  They are not biased and give you the proper advice for career advancement, even if they know they might lose you to someone else.

·         They trust the employees and judge them on the deliverables as opposed to where they were when they achieved it (home, office….).

·         They understand that an employee can be quite productive anywhere and not just within the confines of a cubicle.

·         They defend your rights, if you are ever wrongfully accused.

·         You see them take pleasure in helping others to do their best work and they measure their own success according to that.

·         They manage everyone as individuals and not all the same.

·         They do understand the fact that even if their title gives them the upper-hand and a bit of a power, their intelligence and integrity is what will provide them with the influence, which is priceless.

·         Their feedback is sincere, constructive, and precise; so that everyone knows where they stand and they are not in for a surprise.  In the meantime the feedback is 360 degrees. Meaning they take feedback from employees in their strengths and weaknesses constructively and try to improve themselves.  They understand that being a manager does not place them at the very top of the food chain and there is always room for improvement.

·         They praise the employees, formally and informally on a regular basis to let them know they are doing a good work and they count and have an impact.

·         The way they respond to mistakes and issues, makes the employee feel safe to be able to bring bad news to them when necessary.

·         They communicate their goals and plans of action clearly, in a way that every member of the team is quite clear on how they are involved and what they need to do to achieve the goal.

·         They hire people who are smarter than they are, and in the meantime are confident enough not to be intimidated by their level expertise.

·         They allow their staff to own an idea and an initiative without being micro managed.

·         They are continuously learning and always improving their knowledge and skill levels.

·         They are involved in what you do and they show compassion.

·         They are good listeners.

·         They are open-minded and hold an open door policy.

·         They know how to delegate and trust and be hands-off.

If you have the points I have described here, you can be certain that there are many out there that after years of working with you, anytime the word “Great Boss” is heard, you are the first on their mind.  I know I have certainly a few.