Essential Qualities for Good Mangers and Leaders

In our article, what is the difference between leadership and management? We describe the differences between a leader and a manager. To briefly summarize, people follow managers because they have to. People follow leaders by choice, and it is ideal for a person to have both qualities. In this article, we will discuss the qualities of great leaders and great managers.

Qualities of a Good Manager

Expect excellence
It is important for a manager to set high but realistic standards, and expect employees to meet them. Ultimately, the best managers are not those who are the nicest or the toughest, but those who get things done and demonstrate tangible results. Once employees understand that a manager expects excellence - not just their own but that of others - they are likely to begin to raise their game and perform better.

Communicate regularly by providing meaningful, real-time information
Effective communication may seem a bit trite at first, but it is essential for good management. The best and strongest managers are those who are excellent communicators. The ability to provide both positive and negative feedback is a fundamental skill and competence for managers.

Do not avoid conflict, but treat it directly and fairly
Every professional knows that the workplace is a breeding ground for conflict. Issues such as compensation, interpersonal problems, cost cutting, recognition, management/employee relations, layoffs and many other points of conflict are bound to arise. There is never a shortage of molehills to create mountains.

Although it is tempting to turn a blind eye, the best managers do not avoid conflict and instead address the issues that arise in a fair manner. Employees see responsibility, and who doesn't.

They are likely to show more respect to managers who solve problems immediately than to those who ignore the problem or do not act quickly.

Be open to new ways of looking at things
Adaptability, flexibility and tuning in to your environment are some of the qualities of a good manager. They are always looking for new opportunities by listening to what others have to say. It is important to be a good listener, regardless of your role. That said, it is quite common for the best process improvement ideas to come from employees who are at a relatively low level in the organization's hierarchy. A good manager is never afraid to change the usual "This is how we have always done it here".

Accept that you still have a lot to learn
Once they have reached a management position, managers sometimes forget that they are also in a learning process. They may have experience in their field with years of experience, but keeping their minds open to new ideas is important. A constant learning process fuels career advancement, and once a manager accepts this and establishes continuous improvement as the norm, he or she becomes a better manager than before.

Setting a good example
If a manager has an insular mentality, he may find it difficult to understand his subordinates and have difficulty in getting them to follow the rules. The same professionalism, commitment and dedication that a manager demands from his subordinates must be maintained by him as well.

Be decisive
It is important for a manager to make decisions and stick to them. Employees are often not comfortable with someone who is constantly changing his or her mind about issues. A confident manager is one who is not afraid to make mistakes. The best managers use bad situations as learning curves and as examples of what not to do. Employees are often repelled by those employers who deny the repercussions of the decisions they have made.

Be patient with yourself
Being able to develop strong leadership and management skills takes time. Consider all of the above tips. Talk to more people who have played the role and learn from them. This will improve your skills as a manager.

Qualities of a good leader

Be humble
There's a big difference between being a leader and being a boss. A leader is someone who normally shares the spotlight and gives credit to the followers for the work they have done as a team. It takes more confidence to be humble than to bask in the glory of achievement. Customers and employees appreciate humility and leaders who give credit where credit is due.

Leading by example
It is important that leaders set an example. They cannot be hypocrites. If a leader wants his subordinates to be punctual, they must establish the habit of being so. Leaders need to set the tone, and followers will be inspired to follow automatically.

Communicate effectively
As with managers, leaders must also be able to communicate, both on and off the job, effectively. In addition to being heard and understood, great leaders also know the importance of listening. Leaders understand that communication is a two-way street.

Know your limits
It is important for leaders to set limits for themselves. Leaders need to know what and how much they can tolerate, saving the whole office a lot of frustration. Maintaining clear boundaries helps prevent any confusion.

Keeping Meetings Productive
Time is money! Avoid tangential discussions and other sources of unproductiveness during meetings. Leaders must be confident that their team will do its job well, without the need for micromanagement.

Be aware of emotions
It's common advice to keep all kinds of emotions out of the office. However, you forget that business is more about relationships between people. And to build and nurture lasting relationships, a good leader has to be emotionally intelligent.

Never Stop Getting Better
Great leaders are constantly learning and updating their knowledge. They never stop. They work continuously to improve and be better. There is always a new skill to master or a new project to work on. Great leaders keep their minds open to new possibilities and fresh ideas.

Conclusion

Managers and leaders are important, and you can win the professional jackpot by being good at both.

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