Above all else, an effective manager ? an EXCEPTIONAL manager ? is a LEADER who, by his or her sense of vision, purpose and enthusiasm for the job, inspires confidence in those under his or her supervision. By being the kind of person that your employees believe in, you also help them to believe in themselves and their own mission. A good leader doesn’t sit back and demand more from his or her direct reports; a good leader first gives his or her best every day to everyone on the team. In the end, this is what brings out the best in everyone and creates a level of success you could never achieve on your own.
Here are ten qualities every manager should aspire to, in order to inspire and empower your team to higher levels of success.
1. Visionary? A leader always keep in mind the “big picture” that encompasses both today’s and tomorrow’s target goals, and links each individual’s contribution to their achievement. Passionate belief in these goals and the commitment to succeed is what team members find inspiring in a leader.
2. Integrity? The basis of trust. It is more than just honesty. It is revealed through your actions as much as your words. Integrity is often revealed by your humility, willingness to change or to admit mistakes; this will bring you respect, not shame. Your work ethic and consistency are its hallmarks.
3. Ambitious? A sense of competition can induce professionals to realize the best they have to offer. The drive to succeed is incredibly powerful when coupled with integrity. Mediocrity is unacceptable; the standard is excellence.
4. Creative? Be open to what everyone has to offer. Flexibility is an asset. Problem solving is an essential and ongoing demand of leadership. Be willing to take calculated risks. Encourage initiative and feedback.
5. Empowering? Get the right people in the right jobs. Delegation is one of a leader’s strongest tools. Know when to meddle and when to let go. Sometimes it’s best to leave a few things unsaid. How you deal with mistakes and failures will define your leadership.
6. Communicator? Clear and consistent communication is critical. Enthusiasm for the message enhances charisma. A great leader is also a great teacher. Communication is sometimes confrontational; demand that criticism be constructive. Be an active listener and practice empathy. It breeds loyalty.
7. Personable? Great leaders have great personalities. A genuine and respectful approach sets the tone for every interaction. Building a team requires camaraderie. A fun and informal atmosphere can be a competitive advantage.
8. Appreciative? Make sure everybody counts? and knows that they count! Followers disdain arrogance and revere modesty.
9. Organized? Organizational skills are almost as important as competence and understanding of your business. No vision can be achieved without a comprehensive plan that is practical and detailed. Time management is the engine that drives success. Meetings must be effective and efficient. Scheduling is the framework that achievement is built on.
10. Follow-Through? Great leaders are unfailingly reliable. Nothing erodes confidence faster than broken promises. Persistence is key to successful achievement of goals.
Take a moment to grade yourself in each of these qualities. On a scale of 1-5, 1=very weak and 5=very strong. How do you rank yourself right now? If your total score – add the numbers together from all 10 qualities – is less than 40, you have work to do!
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December Management Tip – Three Keys to Effective Management
If you want your team to become more productive and successful, spend less time in meetings and more time doing the following:
Training: The systematic process of education and practice an employee goes through to acquire a new skill or set of skills to do a particular job within the company.
Coaching: A focused combination of regular attention, advice and support a manager provides to an employee to help them polish or advance in a skill for which they have been previously trained.
Feedback: Constant, constructive input that a manager provides to an employee during the daily course of doing the job, to help the employee refine their skills and gain a greater sense of confidence in their responsibilities.
