What Great Managers Do Differently?

Effectively managing others is both a science and an art, just like programming or playing an instrument. Based on personality and past experiences, some people tend to naturally be stronger at leading and inspiring others. That being said, anybody can learn how to be an effective manager if given the right training.

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What's nice about the world we live in today is that you don't have to reinvent the wheel to be a great leader. Countless studies have been poured into determining what makes for a good manager.

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?Constantly train employees and encourage learning

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Numerous experiments have found that training employees both for "current work" as well as helping them pick up additional skills, can drastically improve overall morale and productivity.

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?Give employees space to do their own work

Contributors who feel like they can make their own decisions at work are both more productive and happier. Perfectionists often want things done in a particular and specific way, but as a manager, imposing that on employees can be detrimental.

This can be especially difficult for people used to being an individual contributor.

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?Let people work remotely (at least on occasion)

Some people are much better working remotely than in an office. Many of the best managers allow their employees to make their own hours. It demonstrates trust, creates more accountability, and enables employees to work in an environment where they thrive.

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?Get their hands dirty

When employees have to do work that they don't particularly enjoy or that may be difficult, it is easy to develop resentment for their managers who are not dealing with the same pains.

Employees respect managers who are willing to dive into the weeds and get their feet wet. It can demonstrate high levels of competency, depending on the work, and signal that you care about your employees.

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?Give praise when it is due

Giving people credit after a job well done isn't a sign of weakness. It lets employees know that you value what they are doing. That appreciation keeps employees motivated and shows them that you're paying attention to what they are doing.

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?No fear of being honest

Being honest with employees can be difficult. Giving harsh feedback can be demoralizing for both parties. Often, managers will suppress these feelings for long periods of time.

Transparency and breaking down those barriers early, though, can make a world of a difference.

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