From Harish Jagtani’s Desk 

A manager is responsible for controlling, or administering, an organization, or a group of employees, or a team of workers. It may seem that anyone can become a manager. But whom can we call a ‘good manager’? Well, they are individuals who can inspire any team, nurture or cultivate growth and productivity among team members, and regularly ask for feedback about their management approach. One does not become a good manager just by managing a team. It takes a lot of effort and leadership skills to manage a team successfully

ACCORDING TO FREDERICK W. SMITH, a good manager is not a person who can do the work better than his men; he is a person who can get his men to do the work better than he can. A Harvard Business Review report highlights a quality that most great managers possess: the ability to see what is unique in every team member. He helps each team member improve and grow his or her skills and adopt essential ones that are lacking. But don’t be upset if you think you are a bad manager. If you are passionate about your role and serious about your team’s success, you can become a good manager with only a little effort. Here are some tips to help you stand out as a good manager…

BUILD YOUR TEAM’S TRUST

You must gain your team’s trust. Managers often say one thing to please their team and do something completely different and this leads to mistrust from the team. But good managers never do that and always keep their promises to their team and explain (not excuse) when a change of plan does take place. Earning trust is good for leadership just as earning respect is.

It may be easy to side with your team members during one-on-one meetings, but you have to be consistent around your boss, as well. Good managers do not shy away from defending his team’s ideas and efforts in front of their directors. But good managers do not always support their teams. They are very straightforward and honest with their team when it comes to facing pushbacks from other managers or junior executives.

VALUE ALL OF THEM EQUALLY

A good manager always remembers that his or her team comprises individuals who try hard to reach their personal goals and also the team’s goals. Good managers make it a priority to meet each individual in their team to discover strengths and find ways to work on weaknesses.

BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT

While making important decisions and vital changes within the organization, good managers always inform their team beforehand. They believe that honesty and transparency build trust and show one’s integrity. Except confidential company decisions, a good manager always communicates with his or her team and is open to answering questions or addressing concerns.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE RISKS

Trying to play safe may be the easy way out, but meeting your goals will not always be easy. At times, you will have to take risks and you should also encourage experimenting. As a manager, you must set an example and be the first to test the waters. Failures may happen, but being agile and making mistakes is an important part of learning and progressing as a team. But you cannot be busy and alert all the time to be a successful leader. You must take time out for fun, too. Setting aside happy hours, lunch outings and outdoor games can keep things fun/light and entertaining. Remember the old adage, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’.

It can never be too late to begin adopting some of the features of great managers. You may get an A+ feedback from your employees, or may not be as good, but there will be areas where you know you can improve. For good managers, the success and happiness of their team are top priorities and they always try to evolve over time, too!