12 Characteristics of a Great ManagerApr 28, 2015 2,104Views 169Likes 19Comments Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Share on Google Plus Share on TwitterLinkedIn seems to berifewith photos illustrating theFALSE DICHOTOMYof leader vs manager/boss. Most of the likes and shares those images receive are, in my opinion, little more than subtle jabs at a current or former boss.Leader/manager isnt an "either/or" propositionbut more like a slide rule (with about 12 slides).Great leaders and managers ARE out there but according toGallup research, onlyone person in tenhas the natural intrinsic characteristics to be a top performing manager.People don't like hearing that ... that some people have what it takes and some just don't.You know people right now that would never make it in management and at the same time, you know people that you sense would be fantastic but haven't been given the chance just yet. But at the same time, those same people will tell you of a boss they once had that was horrible.Fifty percent of all employees report leaving a previous position at some point in their career ... to get away from a particular manager.I did ...twice. But at the same time, I've had some managers who were visionary, inspiring, and simply, well, great.Many of those that we remember as great bosses, managers, or leaders had a lot in common.1. Personal AccountabilityA manager with a strong sense of Personal Accountability has a strong internal drive to be responsible for his or her own actions. This internal willingness to "own up" shows in their actions and rather than make excuses, will make every effort to identify the causes of poor decisions with the focus on correcting any issues rather than on protecting his or her reputation or status. Those with a high degree of Personal Accountability are humble, fair, and generous.2. They Energize PeopleGreat managers have an intrinsic way of making youwantto work,wantto improve,wantto contribute. They exclude energy themselves and that energy is contagious. This isn't a spastic, bouncing-off-the-walls type of energy, but a quiet reserve of high expectations that you know you'll hit your lofty goals as a teamand it's exciting!3. They Overcome ObstaclesGreat managers overcome adversity, challenges, and resistance (within and without) to drive the outcomes they need to drive. They aren't "bulls in a china shop" but they aren't pushovers either. They're well respected as performers by both those they manage and those who outrank them. That respect comes because they get things done and the more they get things done, the more respect they garner.4. They Motivate With Vision, Not FearNo one can motivate an employeebut great managers CAN provide an environment where an employee self-motivates. That's what a clear vision does and when a great manager uses vision to provide that environment of self-motivation, employees are much more likely toperform wellbecause they make the organization's goals their own. When our motivators are matched to our job, we, truly enjoy what we're doing and it shows. (Read:The ROI of a Job Matching System)5. People Over PoliticsWouldn't that be nice? Great managers can make decisions that are in the best interests of the organization regardless of the political implications. Their decisions are based on productivity, performance, and people. They think ahead, plan for contingencies, don't get backed into corners, and make decisions not based on what's convenient but based on the best interests of the people and the organization as a whole.6. They're Accountable For Those They ManagePerhaps one of the more disconcerting aspects of being in management is the knowledge that you're responsible for the actions of others but that just comes with the territory. Being a great manager means you have to coordinate work, delegate that work, and complete that work in coordination with others. They know their employee's capabilities, interests, behavioral styles, and intrinsic motivators and use that knowledge to drive top performance.7. They're Optimistic AND RealisticIt's a delicate balance.Great managers are optimistic and have positive expectations of those they manage but they also do everything possible to ensure adequate resources are available to help employees achieve the organization's objectives. They know their employees and know what they're capable of ... and not capable of (yet) and they make decisions from that framework.8. They're Engaged ... and EngagingManagers account for up to 70% of the variance in employee engagement.An engaged manager has engaged employees so if your employees are disengaged, you know where to look. Great managers help employees set goals and priorities and focus on using an employee's strengths and positive qualities to drive top performance.9. They Believe Employees Are Adults, Not ChildrenNot just adults, but important adults. Great managers know that every position is important, from the janitor sweeping the warehouse floor to the boardroom decision makers. As such, each of these adults are expected to perform and behave like adults which fosters an attitude where employees take charge of their own destinies and make decisions in the best interests of the organization. To expect anything less is to treat people like children.10. They Simplify EVERYTHINGIn my upcoming book,Simplified Leadership:How and Why The Best Leaders Move People and Ideas From Complex to Simple, I outline how great managers (and leaders) are consistently needed to communicate their vision for an improved future, energize and inspire their teams, continuously spur better results, all without breaking a sweat. But theres one area where the cream of the crop excel they are experts at simplification."Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand." Colin Powell11. They're Teachers At HeartBrimming over with patience, great managers not only know their stuff, but they know their people and know where those people need development, training, and knowledge. It isn't always product knowledge, sometimes it's knowledge of how "the system" works and how to work it to get things accomplished. Great managers know how to teach their employees in a way that the employees retain the most.12. They Communicate Very WellIn a recentBloomberg survey, recruiters reported thatCommunication was the skill most sought after, but the one they had the hardest time finding.Communication is more than talking it's adapting your communications so that your message isn't lost in translation. Communication is listening to understand rather than listening to reply. Communication is the transfer of information between two parties so that both know accurately what was said. Communication is transparency. (Read:10 Signs Your Team Needs Communications Training)So let's lose the false dichotomies and get on with identifying and promoting those with the correctintrinsictraits to positions of management.