Just because someone holds a management position doesn’t mean they’re an exceptional manager. Of course, they’re good at their job; otherwise, they wouldn’t hold their position for long, but can they be considered exceptional managers?
The easiest way to make this determination is to ask your employees because they have an innate ability to identify excellent managers. Short of relying on your employees for their opinions, here’s our take on what makes an outstanding manager.
Knowing When Intervention is Necessary
Exceptional managers excel at striking the perfect balance between autonomy and intervention. They provide essential guidance and support while steering clear of micromanagement. This approach allows employees to concentrate on their core responsibilities, enhancing both productivity and job satisfaction. Exceptional managers also protect their teams from bureaucratic and external pressures, ensuring employees have the optimal conditions to perform at their highest level. This protective role is crucial in maintaining a focused and effective team.
Engaging with All Employees
Exceptional managers engage with every team member, avoiding favouritism. They support high performers and those needing extra help equally, understanding everyone’s contributions. This balanced approach encourages a harmonious and productive workplace by preventing an emphasis on any single group.
Bottom-Up Approach
Exceptional managers embrace a bottom-up approach, empowering employees by including them in decision-making processes. This management style promotes innovation and engagement by valuing staff contributions to projects and company goals. It fosters trust and accountability, as team members feel their input influences the organisation’s success and direction.
Communicating With Ease
Exceptional managers prioritise effective communication, not just to delegate tasks but to genuinely understand their employees’ aspirations and challenges. This approach creates a supportive environment where employees feel heard and valued, boosting morale and fostering better problem-solving and innovation.
Recognising and Building Value in Employees
Exceptional managers excel at recognising their staff’s strengths and potential and aligning these qualities with their organisation’s goals. This approach creates a mutually beneficial relationship, allowing both employees and the organisation to thrive and enhancing overall productivity and satisfaction.
Embracing Difficult Conversations
Exceptional managers embrace difficult conversations, understanding their importance in addressing performance issues and workplace dynamics. This nurturing approach strengthens the team and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and open communication.
Know Employees’ Strengths
Exceptional managers understand their employees’ strengths, recognise their talents, and align them with suitable roles and responsibilities. This approach helps to optimise their employees’ performance and increase their job satisfaction. As a result, productivity is enhanced, and everyone feels valued and encouraged to succeed.
Celebrating Successes and Talent
Exceptional managers understand the power of acknowledging and celebrating staff achievements to motivate their team and reinforce positive behaviours. Consistently complimenting employees for jobs well done boosts morale and fosters a culture of excellence, encouraging others to strive for similar successes. This approach cultivates an environment where employees are eager to excel.
Asking Questions
Exceptional managers ask insightful questions rather than provide all the answers. They know that encouraging their staff to think critically and develop solutions independently promotes innovation and a sense of ownership. This approach enhances problem-solving skills and makes employees feel valued and integral to the decision-making process.
Cultivating Excellence in Management
What sets exceptional managers apart is their ability to act as supervisors and catalysts for the growth and satisfaction of their employees. At shilo., our HR consulting services are tailored to enhance these qualities in your managers, ensuring that leadership within your organisation is effective and transformative.
