Effective Managerial Traits: Key to Success in Professional Growth
The role of a manager is critical to the success of any organization. Early and mid-level managers, in particular, have a significant responsibility to lead their teams in achieving goals and objectives through strategic planning, effective communication, and decision-making. As managers are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations within an organization, it is essential that they possess specific managerial traits that can pave the way for their growth and that of their team members. This article explores 5 essential characteristics of highly effective managers that are crucial to professional growth and development, and also outlines the importance of managerial training for early and mid-level managers.
- Strategist at Heart
The primary objective of an effective manager is to be a strategist at heart. They must focus on improving organizational performance and positioning their teams as industry leaders. The best managers always have an eye on creating plans with a futuristic thought process based on the ‘big picture’ at all times. They should be able to motivate their teams to execute goal-driven strategies that help achieve the organization’s goals and objectives. This is why effective managers must possess a strong vision, be proactive, and have excellent analytical skills.
- Consistency in Management Style
A manager who is calm like a lamb one day and aggressive like a storm the next can never build a harmonious and productive team, as their unpredictable and erratic behavior sends out confusing signals. Such managers are unable to manage their own behavior, let alone driving their teams. An effective manager, on the other hand, should demonstrate a consistent management style through predictable and reliable responses. Subordinates feel secure and trusted in their interactions with consistent managers who are easy to work with and trust, which ultimately results in a positive effect on the team’s productivity.
- Non-Judgmental and Objective
Managerial decisions should always be based on objectivity and fairness, and every situation should be handled in the same manner. The focus should be on overcoming personal biases consciously in all interactions. Favoritism should never be encouraged, as it leads to contempt and cynicism among the team members. A non-judgmental and objective approach is a foundational trait of an effective manager, enabling him to make unbiased decisions that have a positive impact on the team.
- Confidence
A manager must have unbridled confidence in their abilities and skills. They must be confident in their role and not feel threatened or perturbed by subordinates who are more competent than them. An effective manager will do everything possible to spotlight great talent within their teams. They should empower team members by providing the autonomy they need while ensuring that team goals are met. This enhances team members’ skills, builds confidence, and decreases the manager’s workload.
- Expertise in Crisis Management
Managing crises is a crucial part of the managerial role. A manager who becomes emotionally disturbed or upset in conflict situations cannot adequately address and remedy the situation. On the other hand, an exceptional manager can take a detached and unbiased approach to resolving conflicts, earn respect and recognition from their team members for their logical decision-making abilities, and gain trust under both conflict and non-conflict situations. It’s essential for managers to develop excellent crisis management skills and actively improve their emotional intelligence and composure to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
The Importance of Managerial Training
Mentioned above were a few crucial managerial qualities that can drive success in professional growth. Leveraging the same though is not easy, especially for early and mid-level managers new to their roles. Today, many organizations offer managerial training programs for early and mid-level managers to make sure they can hone their skills and achieve optimal results. Such programs comprise coaching sessions, case studies, and group discussions that not only build managers’ skills but also their confidence and overall credibility. Being able to identify and impart such skills helps organizations to manage their talent while creating a pool of competent and trustworthy leaders ready to handle organizational challenges and goals.
Conclusion
In summary, the role of an effective manager is essential to an organization’s success, and a few essential managerial traits such as strategic thinking, consistency, objectivity, confidence, and crisis management skills can pave the way for determining their effectiveness as a leader. Organizations should invest in managerial training to equip their early and mid-level managers with these critical qualities to ensure that they perform their roles effectively and achieve optimal growth potential. As early and mid-level managerial roles directly impact team productivity, identifying such capabilities and imparting them is a timely and compelling investment towards an organization’s success.
