How to Be a Great Manager

Being a manager is like parenting a large, dysfunctional family going through puberty simultaneously. People are your job. Your role is to unleash employees' unique talents to boost performance.

Select for Talent

Talent is a personal perspective beyond skills and knowledge, making someone a natural fit for their job. You can't turn an office sloth into a racehorse or teach a fish to climb a tree.

Focus on Top Performers

Prioritize your best employees. Instead of spending time on minor issues, invest in those who streamline workflows and drive success.

Treat People Differently

Giving everyone the same treatment is like handing out identical prescription glasses and wondering why people still bump into things. Understand your employees individually and treat them accordingly.

Focus on Strengths, Manage Weaknesses

Strength is about ignoring weaknesses so much they develop abandonment issues. In a heist, you don’t need the safecracker to drive the getaway car. Ensure everyone excels in their role.

Spotting Talent

Talent is a perspective on life, not bullet points on a resume. Spend time with top performers to understand traits that make them great. Articulate what excellence looks like and identify potential beyond skills and knowledge.

When you recognize and cast talent well, employees thrive, knowing their strengths are valued and their quirks accommodated. This is great leadership, where even the office printer jams less, trying to meet your high expectations.

Being a great manager is about more than just overseeing tasks—it's about recognizing and cultivating the unique talents of your team. By selecting for talent, focusing on top performers, treating employees as individuals, and leveraging strengths while managing weaknesses, you can create an environment where everyone excels. This approach not only boosts performance but also fosters a positive and productive workplace culture.

Embrace these principles, and watch your team—and even the office printer—rise to meet your high expectations.

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