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It’s not hard to describe a bad manager. We’ve all dealt with bosses
that micromanage, criticize, and make it harder to get the job done. But
what qualities make someone a good manager?
Whether it’s your first time with a direct report If you’re not sure where to start, request a
or you’ve spent years leading a team, there 360-degree assessment if your company
are a few traits you can develop to set your offers them. It’s an opportunity to get feedback
employees up for success. After all, good from your peers and subordinates, as well
managers aren’t born; anyone can grow into it as your superiors, to get a full picture of how
with the right intentions and a little practice. you’re doing. Or ask a trusted colleague or
former boss to weigh in. Rather than keeping it
“Ultimately, we’re measured and judged by the open-ended, ask pointed questions, Canaday
business, but the business doesn’t succeed says. If you think you’re good in a crisis,
without great staff and the staff doesn’t ask if the person would agree or if there’s
succeed without great supervision,” says Marc anything you do that might not line up with
Kalan, assistant professor of professional the description. This will help you to get more
practice at Rutgers Business School. “It’s not specific and constructive feedback.
an intuitive skill set. You have to leverage skills
and talents while recognizing deficiencies and Empowering
assist your staff in overcoming them.”
As a manager, it might be tempting (and
A good manager is: sometimes easier) to just do the work yourself,
but that’s a temporary fix. Great bosses don’t
Self-Aware control; they coach. This means providing
Being a good leader starts with knowing feedback on a regular basis, developing your
your own shortcomings, says Sara Canaday, employees’ problem-solving skills, and setting
a leadership development expert and broad goals while giving your team room to
author. “First and foremost, a leader has to figure out how they’ll achieve them. “Managers
manage themselves,” she says. “If you don’t don’t need to have all the answers,” Kalan
understand your strengths and weaknesses, says. “They need to set up appropriate
and how your temperament, beliefs, and challenges for those they supervise so they
experiences impact your decisions, you’re can try new things and learn.”
missing the mark.” That level of self-analysis
can be tough, but knowing where you have Communicative
room to grow can help you improve how you Communicating is more than just sharing
work with your employees and set a good information with your employees. It can come
example for your team. in many forms, including your actions. Modern
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