There are plenty of good managers out there. They're efficient, productive, and ensure employees meet objectives. In other words, they get the job done.
Once in a while, however, you'll come across a great manager -- one who not only supervises but leads, inspires and connects with their
Here, seven career and business coaches from Forbes Coaches Council share the practices that turn mere managers into leaders. Keep these in mind whether you're looking to hire a key manager for your company or are developing your own leadership skills.
Clockwise from top left: Pat Rigsby, Monique Catoggio, Kelly Azevedo, Jo Ilfeld, Beth Buelow, Cha Tekeli and Jen Kelchner. All photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. Lead With Curiosity
Great managers lead with curiosity, which requires vulnerability. They're OK with not having all of the answers, let alone the "right" answers. Instead, they are masters of asking thoughtful, even provocative, questions of their team that result in fresh connections and solid solutions. Their leadership style reflects a coach's approach: lots of questions, reflection and non-attachment. — Beth Buelow, The Introvert Entrepreneur
2. Support Your Team
Although a crucial part of management is making sure that your team is getting stuff done, those managers who truly thrive begin to walk the line between manager and leader. Focus on the quality of relationship with your team. Do they believe that you care about them and not just the bottom line? Do they feel supported? Do you provide hope? Do you help develop them? Managers who care lead! — Monique Catoggio, Florida International University
3. Utilize an Employee's Strengths
The best managers understand that individuals possess a unique set of strengths. Strengths are not defined as skills but rather the aspects of what energizes and exhausts you. Some people are thinkers and thrive in areas of critical/strategy thinking; others are relational and thrive using persuasion. The best managers help identify these areas and allow you to work within them. — Cha Tekeli, Chalamode, Inc.
4. Develop Your Employees
There is a distinct difference between manager and leader by definition. A great manager will be both. Taking the time to develop their people will produce a higher level of performance and productivity from their team. It is also a significant boost for the organization, which sees less turnover and improved morale. — Jen Kelchner, Kelchner Advisory
6. Engage Your Team
Good managers are experts at keeping in mind the goals of the organization and helping orient their employees towards those goals. Great managers, however, are skilled at determining the top strengths of their employees and helping them see how they can use these strengths to achieve their individual (and the company's) highest priorities. This focus energizes employees and increases engagement. — Jo Ilfeld, Success Reboot
7. Prioritize for Your Team
Good managers can delegate, even check in on the tasks and projects over time to ensure everything is completed on schedule, but great managers can contextualize and prioritize for their subordinates. Often the manager has the benefit of knowing the larger purpose and bigger picture, and it's their job to convey it to the team to motivate and inspire the troops. — Kelly Azevedo, She's Got Systems
