Question

Real world work situations can result in some of the best learning experiences that we retain as life lessons. In an online environment it can be difficult to pass on things with informal communication to each other. For this discussion board, I would like for everyone to share their stories, advice and insight for being a good manager or leader. Sometimes it’s the simplest thing that can make the difference between a horrible boss and a great one. What tactics have you seen work and what have you seen fail? Any stories about great or bad managers and if so what made them so good/bad? Some of the best advice came to me while I was in grad school. I had a professor (PhD from UNC) tell the class that he could sum up a four year degree in Management in one sentence. I still remember that sentence verbatim; “The key to being a good manager is for all employees to perceive that they are being treated equally.” While it seems simple enough, I have found it to be true in my experiences. Here are some more that seem like common sense but are missed often: All managers should have an anonymous suggestion box. Promote communication and don’t get upset when an employee gives you bad news. It will prevent the truth from coming to you in the future. Small things like appearance and the way you speak can set a tone. Always maintain a boundary between being a boss and a friend. Proofread your emails, memos, and letters. The customer is not always right but don’t get into an argument with them in front of other customers.

Answer 1

A good manager or leader is supposed to be encouraging and motivating for the team to achieve the assigned goals and purposes. It is important to give the team with clear directions and support for work and mobilising their efforts and resources. A good manager and leader communicates with their team about the organisational plans and visions and is fair and just in their actions and advise to the team members. They give opportunity to diverse individuals and encourage everyone to perform to best of their abilities. They set best standards performance and expect the team members to excel in their efforts and set new goals for growth and achievement. The failure of managers is when they themselves cannot set good examples for their team and become role models. It leads to creating a culture of slackness and gaps in the performance of the business and employees. Good leaders in business in current times are transformational who communicate individually, empathise with their team members, provide them a vision for work, motivate and empower them to achieve the goals.