Looking for good managerial material
Dear e-COACH,
We are always looking for good managers in our company. Is there a kind of checklist of the skills a manager should have to be effective, that we could use for hiring?
Dear Looking,
I'm curious as to why you are "always looking for good managers". Hopefully it's because you're growing, not because you can't keep them. But that's another column. In addition to the skills needed for the functional area that a manager is responsible for (e.g. Finance, Marketing, etc.) there are certain qualities or characteristics that will help ensure an above average performance. It is not easy to find a manager with all of these qualities. However, I have found that the more of them a manager has, the better s/he will be at the basic management responsibilities of most management positions. Here then are the four characteristics that I look for in a manager:
- Corporate and Business Acumen - The individual who possesses such acumen is someone who is able to extricate himself occasionally from the minutiae of his daily tasks and the functions of his department. He is able to see the big picture and act accordingly. He is knowledgeable about business in general and understands the politics of an organization. He accepts change with a willingness to support initiatives that he may not agree with. He has an ability to make unpopular decisions when necessary.
- Professional Discipline and Effectiveness - This person conducts herself in a way that inspires confidence and trust in her skills and abilities. She is committed to excellence, setting high standards for herself and her staff. She exercises self-discipline, demonstrates good judgment, meets deadlines, communicates well and is organized. You can rely on her to get things done. She is a true professional who consistently excels at the many aspects of her job.
- People Savvy - Someone with people savvy is easy to like. He is a low maintenance colleague that is a pleasure to work with. Never manipulative, negative or controlling, this individual has a way with people that brings out the best in them. He is gracious and genuine; people at all levels respect him. He cares about his staff, balancing the need for compassion with the expectations of the job. He develops his employees and coaches them to succeed.
- Leadership Finesse - Not all managers are leaders. A leader is someone who inspires us to follow them. A leader works towards a vision with creativity and flexibility. She is proactive, changing course in anticipation of opportunities or obstacles. A leader supports her employees and sees something exceptional in each of them. She has an energy that sparks enthusiasm and commitment in others. (CEO's, teachers and politicians should also be leaders, but alas, in my opinion this is too often not the case).
Please notice that I am not advocating the hiring of people of a certain personality type, gender, age or ethnicity - the above four characteristics can be found among a wide variety of people, so keep an open mind. A common misconception is that effective leaders must be charismatic extrovert - this notion has recently been disproved.
While it may be tempting to use the above as a complete checklist for hiring your managers, considerable thought must also be given to the specific needs of the role your are hiring for and how your company culture impacts the qualities that are required.
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