What Makes Good Managers Great

You have good managers but are any worthy of the coveted “World’s Best Boss” mug? 

Michael Scott of The Office fame, earned (or perhaps, purchased!) it. But who really qualifies as the world’s best?

Gallup researchers found out. The team dug deep into the data from its annual Exceptional Workplace Award to figure out who the most effective and respected leaders are – and, most importantly, what they have in common.

From Good Managers to Great Managers

Fortunately, any manager — from new and OK leaders to veteran and good leaders can become legendary.

Gallup shared six of the habits the best leaders share and we’ve included critical tips for each:

1. Communicate ‘Why’

Every manager communicates constantly – information up, down and across the chain of command. The thing that 60% of them often fail to do: Let employees know why the information is important.

Key: Show employees the “big picture” with information you share – how it fits into the company, plus the impact the info will have on them, or the impact their work will have on it.

2. Be Open to Team Ideas

Many bosses push their team to get the job done. World-class leaders pull their team to new-found successes.

One of the biggest reasons for the difference: The best bosses solicit ideas from and listen to their employees. Then they give employees opportunities to develop these ideas and encourage them to make it happen.

Key: Asking for their opinions and ideas makes employees feel connected. Act on what makes sense and explain why some ideas aren’t feasible.

3. Admit and Accept Mistakes

World-class managers aren’t know-it-alls. They admit when they’re wrong or have made a mistake. More importantly, they create an environment where employees are comfortable making – and learning from – mistakes.

Key: Admit wrongs, correct them and share what you’ve learned. Then employees will see mistakes are part of continual improvement, not something to be feared or ashamed of.

4. Uncover Motivational Needs

Even great bosses can’t fully control employees’ compensation. But the best know employees aren’t motivated to show up or inspired to do great work by money alone anyway. They get to know what motivates their employees and continually give that to them.

Key: Find ways to frame work so it’s uniquely compelling to each employee based on what you learn motivates each. Key 2: Regularly ask questions to uncover what motivates them – perhaps challenging work, opportunities to collaborate, career advancement – because you’ll need to change with their evolving needs.

5. Recognize and Celebrate the Team

The best managers do more than pat employees on the back and say, “Good job.” They explain why efforts matter and celebrate excellence.

Two-thirds of employees say they haven’t been recognized or praised for good work in the last week, Gallup says. The other third work for world-class bosses!

Key: Even if you have limited resources to reward employees, you can praise good work every day, send motivational messages every week and celebrate excellence with public recognition and applause every month. Even better, give employees the tools to recognize and reward each other for great work.

6. Foster Success in and out of Work

Great bosses care about their employees’ success at work and outside of work. They recognize that work impacts personal lives, and sometimes life trumps the job, so they help employees balance both.

On the job, the best managers help employees identify and prepare for opportunities to advance.

Key: Be on the lookout for areas where you can help employees excel in life and work. Even if you just support their interests outside of work — asking about those and cheering their victories — can help foster a more positive work environment.