A good manager can balance managing people with managing the needs of a business. Here’s what to look for in a good manager.
By: Emily Heaslip , Contributor
Share
Smiling manager with employee at the office working on a computer.
From being able to empathize with employees’ needs to fostering an environment of trust, there are several traits that can factor into what makes a “good” manager. — Getty Images/Hinterhaus Productions
What makes a good manager? For some employees, it might be a manager who provides mentorship. For others, it might be someone with a more hands-off approach. A “good” manager can be subjective to some degree, but business owners know the traits of a good manager when they see them.
So do employees. A survey from Gallup found that nearly half of employees who leave a job do so because of a bad manager. Employee turnover leads to lost productivity, higher costs, and generally low morale. If you’re seeking to avoid these pitfalls and find a great manager, look for a few of these characteristics in your next hiring round or performance review.
[Read more: 10 Business Leadership Styles and What They Mean]Transparency and good communication
Employees surveyed by Top Workplaces report feeling well-informed about decision-making and the future of the company. Open and honest communication by a manager can help employees feel more engaged with and connected to their daily work tasks. Transparency helps team members understand how and why the work they do is important, and managers who can instill that sense of motivation are highly regarded as a result.
Empathy
The ability to empathize with customers, team members, and other members of the leadership team makes the difference between a good and a great manager. In one survey, 84% of CEOs said they believed empathy drove better business outcomes. Other research has shown that managers with high emotional intelligence (EQ) led their companies to a 34% higher profit growth than other companies.
Millennial and Gen Z employees in particular are likely to value managers who can empathize with their needs. These workers want to be seen as people first, employees second. A manager who can empathize with their desire to make a difference, work flexibly, and gain mentorship will inspire your team to greatness.
