How to be a great manager – it’s a question that has been doing the rounds for a long time in the world of business.
Management is often dubbed to ‘the engine’ of an organisation – it drives the team forward, sets the pace, and ensures everyone stays on track. An effective manager, however, isn't just someone who delegates tasks and monitors progress; their role in shaping a positive, dynamic work environment cannot be overstated.
Behind every high-performing team lies a manager who understands the delicate balance between strategy and empathy. Effective management requires more than just technical skills, it demands an ability to connect with individuals, inspire action, and adapt to changing circumstances – empowering team members to bring their best selves to work.
When managers excel, they create ripple effects that influence the organisation as a whole, enhancing employee satisfaction and ensuring a positive work environment.
So, what makes a good manager? Is it their ability to lead by example, their knack for problem-solving, or their way of building relationships?
Key qualities of an effective manager
Effective management is as much about personal qualities as it is about professional skills. The most impactful managers often possess a combination of traits that allow them to inspire their teams. Here are some of the essential qualities that set great managers apart:
Empathy
An effective manager understands the importance of seeing things from their team's perspective. By demonstrating empathy, managers can offer emotional support by taking the time to listen, acknowledge challenges, and offer solutions tailored to individual needs – enabling team members to feel valued and understood.
Decisiveness
In business, managers must be able to make timely and confident decisions. Great managers analyse situations thoroughly, weigh up the pros and cons, and take action with a clear sense of purpose. Their decisiveness instils confidence in their team, encouraging members to trust their leadership and commit to achieving shared goals.
Integrity
Integrity serves as the bedrock of effective leadership. A manager with strong principles leads by example, creating an environment where honesty and accountability are held in high regard.
Managers who combine these traits with adaptability, resilience, and a genuine passion for their work, have the ability to drive exceptional results. It is this unique blend of attributes that transforms managers from ordinary leaders into extraordinary ones.
The skills required to be an effective manager
What makes an effective manager? Being a manager people want to work under requires a diverse skill set that balances interpersonal and organisational abilities. These skills enable managers to lead confidently and address challenges head-on. Here are some strategies for unlocking your team’s potential and how to be an effective manager:
Communication: the ability to articulate expectations, provide constructive feedback, and convey a vision in a way that inspires the team. Beyond speaking, listening is equally important – great managers pay attention to their team’s ideas and concerns, ensuring everyone is heard.
Delegation: the art of entrusting tasks to team members while offering guidance and support. When done well, it empowers individuals to take ownership of their work and build confidence.
Conflict resolution: approaching conflict with a solution-oriented mindset. They seek to understand the perspectives of all parties involved and create resolutions that strengthen relationships.
Problem-solving: approaching problems analytically and creatively. There is a need to consider multiple solutions and weigh potential outcomes.
Time management: prioritise tasks, set realistic deadlines, and stay organised. This can help maintain momentum – promoting efficiency and reducing burnout.
Adaptability: having the competence to embrace change and adjust strategies when needed. This willingness to evolve ensures that team members remain resilient and ready to tackle new challenges.
Knowledge needed to excel as a manager
While qualities and skills define how a manager leads, knowledge is the backbone that ensures they lead effectively. Industry-specific expertise is a cornerstone of effective management, which often leads to a deeper understanding and, in turn, enables managers to make informed decisions, anticipate new trends, and address challenges with confidence. This expertise helps bridge the gap between high-level strategy and ground-level execution, earning trust and credibility within the team. Additionally, knowledge of the organisational structure, as well as the company culture and processes, is essential for aligning the team with wider goals.
Financial acumen and strategic planning are equally indispensable in a manager's toolkit. The ability to interpret budgets, analyse an array of reports, and manage limited resources responsibly ensures that the team operates within its means while pursuing ambitious objectives. Paired with strategic planning, managers can set clear priorities and ambitions, without losing sight of their goals.
Effective manager behaviours in the workplace
In the workplace, the behaviours exhibited by a manager can ripple through the entire team, shaping everything from morale to performance. Effective managers lead by example, embodying the values they wish to instil within their teams – and listening to the team is such an important trait. When managers genuinely hear and acknowledge their team members' ideas, it creates an environment of trust. This openness encourages employees to contribute without hesitation, knowing their voice matters.
Equally as vital, is a manager's ability to be accountable. By owning their decisions and actions, managers set a standard of integrity and responsibility that inspires the same in their teams. Coupled with this, providing constructive feedback is a behaviour that separates effective managers from the rest. Instead of criticism, they offer guidance framed as an opportunity for growth, enabling employees to refine their skills and feel supported in their journey.
The most effective managers maintain a balance between firmness and compassion, knowing when to step in and when to empower their team to find their own solutions. They cultivate a culture where mistakes are seen as learning experiences rather than failures and where every action – no matter how small – aligns with a larger vision of success.
These behaviours might seem simple, but together they form the heartbeat of a thriving workplace.
How to become an effective manager and leader
Unfortunately, becoming an effective manager isn’t an overnight transformation – it’s a continuous journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery. For aspiring managers, the key lies in actively seeking opportunities to build knowledge and sharpen new and existing skills. Here are some actionable steps on how to be a good manager.
Start with personal development. Take a close look at your strengths and areas for improvement, then set goals to enhance your managerial abilities. Whether it’s developing better communication skills, improving time management, or learning how to handle conflict with confidence, investing in your growth is vital.
Next, explore training programmes tailored to management and leadership development. Many organisations offer workshops or formal training sessions that provide valuable insights into handling real-world challenges. Enrolling in leadership certification programmes or pursuing advanced education – with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) or the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) – can help build both credibility and expertise.
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of mentorship. Connecting with experienced leaders can provide invaluable guidance and inspiration. Seek out mentors who exemplify the kind of manager you aspire to be, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or request feedback. Mentorship relationships can offer support and can lead to a deeper understanding of the complexities of leadership.
With hybrid working still prevalent, check out our useful guide on how to manage a team remotely.
Effective communication as a manager
Communication is the lifeblood of effective management; it serves as the bridge that connects vision to action. Managers who master communication empower their teams to thrive, but communication isn’t just about speaking – it’s about creating a meaningful dialogue that inspires.
To improve communication with your team, focus on:
Transparency and trust
Effective communication begins with openness. Sharing updates and decisions, alongside the reasonings behind them, helps create transparency. When team members understand the ‘why’ behind strategies, they feel included and engaged.
Active listening
Communication is about truly listening. Active listening involves giving your full attention, asking questions, and acknowledging your team members’ input. Each team member sees things from a different perspective, so keeping an open mind could lead to better solutions to challenges.
Adaptable communication styles
To fully become the effective manager you want to be, you need to understand that every team member has unique preferences when it comes to communication. Tailoring your approach – whether through one-on-one conversations, team meetings, or written instructions – ensures your message sticks.
Feedback
Feedback is a two-way street that drives improvement and growth – take it in your stride. Providing constructive feedback helps employees refine their skills, while on the flip side, inviting feedback from the team or a more senior member of the business shows openness and humility.
Nobody is the finished article – keep on learning and growing.
Looking for support with permanent recruitment? Get in touch with one of our specialist consultants today.
