Is generosity the most important trait for a manager?

Employees thrive in workplaces where they feel listened to, appreciated, supported, and praised. These are the environments where creativity flourishes and people give their best work.

Generosity fosters this creativity and boosts morale, performance, and mental and emotional well-being among employees.

So, is generosity the key to being a great manager?

According to CIPD's Good Work Index 2023 report, discontent with senior management was the fifth most common reason for people considering leaving their role, and in the top three reasons for those who did leave.

Discontent and conflict with line managers and work colleagues also featured in the top ten for both leavers and those considering leaving their jobs.

Judging by this, it's safe to say that hiring, promoting, and developing the right individuals into leadership roles is vital for employee satisfaction and overall business success.

Is generosity more important than other traits for successful leadership?

Generous managers are more likely to have engaged and productive teams, and they are also more likely to retain their employees. That's because generosity:

• Boosts morale and engagement - When team members feel appreciated and supported, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work. Generosity shows that you care about your team members as individuals and that you are invested in their success.
• Creates a more positive and productive work environment - A team where members are generous with each other is more likely to be collaborative and supportive. This can lead to increased creativity, innovation, and productivity.
• Improves communication and trust - Generosity builds trust and rapport between team members. When team members know that they can rely on each other for help and support, they are more likely to communicate openly and honestly.
• Encourages risk-taking and learning - A generous team environment is one where team members feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. This is essential for individual and team growth.

How can you show more generosity towards your team?

• Share your knowledge and expertise - Don't hoard information or keep your team members in the dark about important decisions. Be willing to share your knowledge and expertise with them, and help them to develop their own skills.
• Give credit where it's due - When a team member does a good job, be sure to give them credit for it. Regular and ad hoc rewards show that you appreciate their hard work and contributions.
• Support your team members' professional development?- Encourage your team members to learn new skills and grow their careers. Provide them with opportunities for training and development, and support them in their professional goals.
• Be willing to help out - When a team member is struggling, offer your help and support. This could involve providing additional resource to help them finish a project, or giving constructive feedback on their work.
• Create a culture of generosity - Encourage your team members to be generous with each other. This could involve sharing resources, helping each other out with projects, celebrating successes, or simply being supportive and encouraging.

What do you think?

We asked our network what the key is to being a great manager, this is what you said:

Good Listener took a landslide victory with 64% of the vote. Decisiveness came in second with 26%. Generosity and Ambition were the least popular with 8% and 2% of the votes respectively.

Emotional Intelligence was also suggested as an important trait for a successful manager.

Ultimately, it seems that most people believe generosity is the not the most essential trait to be a good manager. While it may be high on the list of beneficial traits, other skills and approaches are seen as more vital, such as being a good listener or decisiveness.

The most valuable thing to takeaway from this is, when hiring your management and leadership team, it is critical to find the right personality and mix of traits for your team. There is no one size fits all when it comes to management styles.

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