The Essential Traits and Skills for Becoming a Great Manager

As a manager, being great is more than just excelling in your role. It is about understanding the context of your current situation, developing critical personal qualities, and continuously striving to be the best version of yourself. This article will explore five essential traits and skills that can help you become a great manager.

1. Understand the Context and Reality

The first step to becoming a great manager is to understand the context of your current situation. This involves recognizing that the way things are may not be how you think they should be. As a leader, it is crucial to maintain a clear understanding of the current reality, including both the successes and challenges that your team faces. This awareness forms the foundation for effective decision-making and problem-solving.

2. Develop Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a key component of being a great manager. It involves understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as recognizing and responding appropriately to the emotions of others. Self-awareness is essential for this, as it helps you to recognize your own patterns of thinking and behavior that may be hindering your success. Additionally, being emotionally intelligent means being comfortable with vulnerability, which can help you build strong and meaningful relationships with your team members.

3. Enjoy Your Job and Build Authentic Relationships

Another essential quality for a great manager is the ability to enjoy your job and life, no matter the circumstances. This does not mean ignoring or changing the reality of the job itself, but rather finding joy in the work you do and in the relationships you build. Cultivating open and non-transactional relationships with your colleagues can greatly enhance your effectiveness as a leader. By focusing on genuine connections, you can foster a more positive and productive work environment.

4. Proactively Nurture Your Capabilities and Knowledge

Building on the importance of self-discovery, a great manager must also be proactive in developing their own skills and knowledge. Learning continuously is not about following the latest trends but about staying ahead of the curve. This means investing time and effort into your professional development, seeking out new challenges, and continuously looking for ways to improve your performance. Remember, great leaders are those who are not afraid to be ahead of their time.

5. Embrace Change and Seek Challenges

The final essential trait for a great manager is adaptability. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and as a leader, you must be willing to adapt to change. This does not mean simply accepting change as it comes, but actively seeking out new opportunities and challenges. By embracing change, you can maintain a position of strength and resilience, even when faced with uncertainty. Trusting yourself and your team to overcome challenges, even if they are financially demanding, is what demonstrates true leadership.

In summary, being a great manager involves a combination of understanding the context of your situation, developing emotional intelligence, enjoying and building authentic relationships, proactively nurturing your capabilities, and embracing change. While there may be numerous lists of skills and traits to cultivate, these five points provide a solid foundation for anyone seeking to excel in their managerial role.