Management isn’t for everyone, but those who wind up in the field all share a few common traits. Here are seven must-have qualities to guarantee success.
Intro:
The role of a manager isn’t for everyone. It takes a special type of person to succeed in this position.
The best managers all share some common traits.
If you’d like to improve your management skills, honing these traits is a great place to start.
Here are the top seven traits of any successful manager:
1. They’re Good Communicators
Good managers know that communication is key to getting things done and done right.
For this reason, managers in high esteem are great communicators.
There are several different types of communication. Verbal communication is the type that most people jump to when they consider communication. But you can communicate in other ways too.
Using body language to put your employees at ease is a great skill to have. Things like crossed arms or a stern face can be off-putting to some.
Good managers are approachable, and their body language shows it.
Written communication is also an essential yet often overlooked type of communication. Within one business day, a manager could write several memos, emails, or proposals.
Above all, effective managers are always respectful and friendly, but they’re also confident. They aren’t pushovers, but they also aren’t overbearing.
The other side of communicating well is active listening. You can read more on this subject and many others by reading this article about improving your management communication skills.
2. They’re Extremely Organized
To manage a team, you need to be three steps ahead of everyone.
It’s your job to keep everyone else on task.
That means that you must be remarkably organized. You’ll have to gather information and collaborate from all different angles.
Every branch of the company will come to you for answers, and you’ll have them if you stay organized.
Yours will be the busiest schedule of all, but also the most important. You need to develop excellent time management skills. And, procrastination isn’t an option.
Every successful manager uses calendars, apps, and other digital and printed tools as aids to stay on top of it all.
To keep your team on task, you need to set a good example of productivity that they can look to. It also helps to be the hardest-working member.
3. They’re Skilled Motivators
Good managers don’t just expect employees to do tasks; they inspire and motivate them to do their best.
How do you do that?
Show your employees appreciation for their hard work. Give them individual attention. When an employee feels valued and seen, they’re more likely to give you their best.
Being a positive force in your workspace can motivate others to follow your cue. Give recognition where it’s due, and don’t be afraid to provide incentives.
Inc.com has a great article on how to motivate your employees.
4. They Gained Experience
Most managers have earned their position through years of experience. This experience has provided them with knowledge and expertise that allows them to make the hard decisions.
Their employees trust their judgment and respect their decision-making skills.
They have proven their expertise with results.
Even though managers have the most experience and knowledge than most others on the team, they never stop learning.
They’re always looking for ways to gain more helpful information to make them even better at what they do.
5. They Have Drive and Determination
Managers have a reputation for working well under pressure. That saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” pertains to good managers.
The business world is a ruthless place at times. Managers need to be able to stay level-headed.
Successful managers keep their minds fixed on the big goal, and they don’t let small failures trip them up.
They’re always results-driven and goal-oriented. Effective managers don’t let challenges or obstacles stop them from achieving the desired results.
6. They Effectively Delegate
One of the most critical tasks that a manager handles is delegation. Good managers realize that they need the help of their team to accomplish all that needs to be done.
They don’t take on too much.
They can look at a project, break it down into tasks and milestones, and assign them to the right individuals.
To do this best, they need to know their team. Good managers know the strengths of their employees and who would be best at what.
They use their good communication, motivating skills, and experience to make a complicated project run as smooth as silk.
7. They’re Self Aware
As already mentioned, managers are continuously trying to be better at what they do. They’re humble and open to constructive criticism.
When appropriate, they don’t hesitate to ask for feedback and listen and analyze all feedback given.
They aren’t too arrogant about their abilities, but they’re confident in them. Not only do they know the strengths and weaknesses of the members of their team, but they also know their own.
They make decisions and delegate tasks based on this knowledge. They know where they need the most help, and they welcome it from various sources.
When they notice a weakness, they’re quick to work on it. Top-notch managers recognize and accept fault and apologize when needed.
Conclusion
While it might be easy to gain experience in your particular industry, you’ll notice that these seven skills are soft skills and can be challenging to learn.
It isn’t necessarily on-the-job training, but you can improve in all seven of these traits to qualify as a leader at your company.
You can take it upon yourself to gain valuable management skills by doing extra training off the clock. Management Study Guide offers nine free courses with the option to pay for even more.
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Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with The Verge Greeley to help them with their online marketing.
