What makes a good manager?

LittleMrsThrifty

Hi All

I start a new job next week in which I'll be managing a team. I have management experience but it's a bigger team than I've managed previously (although still relatively small) and an established team; they have all been there a while so I'll be the newbie.

I've been thinking about how to appropach my first few weeks and wondered what people think makes a good manager? If anyone has any tips I'd be very grateful... :j

somethingcorporate

Putting aside enough time to get to know your team on a 1:1 basis. Understand who they are, how they like to work and what they are looking to get out of the job.

westv

The ability to be able to take resposibility for the mistakes of those you manage but be able to pass down praise to them and not take credit for it yourself.

ian103

Firm, fair, no favorites, listening, thank them, etc all the basics.

Wellery82

Ultimately you need to be getting results through your staff, and so need them to understand what you want, and to want to work hard for you. Your personal style and approach are key. To be someone they can trust and respect. Someone who is fair and consistent in their decisions and approach.

Have a chat with everyone and understand them as individuals. What do they want to get more involved in, where do they need support, what did they and didn't they like about their old manager? Are there other factors that are really important to people (child care arrangements, personal problems etc)? Ideally you want them to know you will support them, but also to make them understand your expectations from them. Make sure also that whilst you are supportive you don't fall into the trap of offering to do their job for them.

Try and involve everyone as well. Make clear what your own objectives are and the expectations you have from the team. Make sure everyone understands the role they have to play and make sure you set some really clear tangible objectives for people, along with setting aside time to review these every month or so.

More than anything be yourself. Take feedback on the chin and remember everyone thinks they can do better so don't take it personally if you hear negativity. As long as you are fair you can't go too far wrong.

sweaty_betty

One of the better bosses I had used to arrange a team meeting for an hour every month, specifically excluding the boss, allowing the team to talk about things that annoyed them or get things off their chest. This meant that people could speak more freely about issues without fear that it would impact their career. Then if there was a common problem, it would be communicated to the boss, with constructive ways to deal with it. The progress of any issues would be regularly updated.

You obviously don't have to do this it was just an example of good management that I came across. Good luck in your new role!

Acc72

LittleMrsThrifty wrote: »

I have management experience but it's a bigger team than I've managed previously

How big were the teams you managed previously and how big is the new team ?

Eg. if the new team is 20 people then you will not be directly managing every single person - there should be a strucutre of supervisors/team leaders etc.

In that case, you need to manage your direct reports and let them manage their direct reports (with your support).

BJV

Firm, fair, honest and open and consistent to each and everyone.

The first senior management job I got was a real eye opener. You are there to do a job and not be friends so you have to "sounds terrible but" almost distance yourself a little. Not miles but just enough so that you can praise and discipline when needed. Your team have to be able to look to you for guidance but also respect your judgement.

Well done you as well !

getmore4less

Depends on the type of workplace.

In hi-tech workplaces the manager often is more a team equal that just has a different job as part of a team.

In most jobs the good managers end up with good people working for them, weed out/retrain the poor ones and have very tight recruitment policies to avoid getting new weak employees.

agree with some of the other points above so won't repeat

DCFC79

Treat each 1 the same and dont show any favourtism. Dont let 1 get away with doing less than others but also be realistic about what to expect of them (maybe getting to now each 1 on a 1:1 would help with this)

Sambucus_Nigra

Depends on what your boss wants you to do.