7 things all great managers know

I've coached a lot of managers.

A lot.

And I've noticed that there's some basic things that great managers do (almost as second nature) that the others don't. 

These things are some of the simplest and easiest to do, yet they are often overlooked (maybe because of just how simple they are). 

So, here they are:

7 things all great managers know

1. Personal connection matters - understanding your team and what motivates them is a catalyst for improving their performance (and your relationship with them)

2. Feedback is a 2 way street - just because you don't get "feedback", doesn't mean they don't have thoughts about you. Foster a culture where feedback flows both ways. It'll encourage openness and vulnerability, plus give you an opportunity to improve on yourself and how you show up for your team

3. Flexibility fuels productivity - adapt to different working styles - just because something works for you, doesn't mean it'll work for someone else. Embrace differences and adapt

4. Recognition > reward - never underestimate the power of acknowledging effort. It's the recognition of hard work, rather than just the outcomes, that fosters a motivated, high performing team. 

5. Listening beats speaking - when we speak we hear what we already know, when we listen, we learn. Make space for your team's voices to be heard, you'll probably be impressed with what you hear (and they'll be more committed to an idea if it came from them)

6. Growth = retention  - invest in the growth of your team. It'll not only benefit them personally and professionally, but it'll also enhance their loyalty and commitment to you (and their performance!) 

7. Trust is king (or queen) - you can't get anywhere without trust (or you can but it's probably not somewhere you want to go)

What would you add to this list?

Comment below so we can all learn how to be more effective managers!