Hallmarks of a good manager

Exceptional staff are drawn to good managers. This means that managers have the ability to make their organisation the preferred employer. They have the ability to help increase market share and add to profits.

Many managers either inspire employees to perform at their best without creating any psychological distress, or they do not, causing employees to feel vulnerable and wanting to leave the organisation.

What you can do to be a effective manager in your organisation:

• Motivate every single employee
  
• Create a culture of clear accountability
  
• Build relationships that create trust, open dialogue, and full transparency

The key to successful management is the relationship between the manager and his or her staff.

Good relationships with employees are based on trust, commitment and engagement. It is up to the manager to build these relationships for the benefit of the organisation. By doing this, managers instil employees with enthusiasm and mental energy to do and achieve more.

Attributes of a good manager

• Coach staff and counsel those who need it
  
• Seek response and feedback to all communications with staff
  
• Know how to resolve conflicts as they arise and handle negative behaviour effectively
  
• Delegate wherever possible
  
• Always speak with respect to your employees
  
• Actively develop, empower and motivate staff
  
• Raise staff morale and be concerned for staff wellbeing
  
• Create clear and unambiguous objectives and discuss them with staff before finalising them
  
• Value everyone’s contribution
  
• Focus on customers/clients and know how to improve business performance
  
• Conduct meetings efficiently and let your employees engage
  
• Communicate well

Remember that successful managers are great at identifying employees' strengths and applauding them every once in a while. Happy employees make productive employees. Applaud your employees' strengths both publicly and privately.