Ok so can we talk about what makes a great manager? I would like to share my viewpoints based on the managers that I have had personally, as well as some of the one’s I have gotten to know at work. I find there are certain qualities that I really like and serve the team and the culture well.
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When it comes to the way management handles ‘issues’ on unit, I would say that I appreciate fairness the most. One may not like a personality, but if that comes with fair treatment across the board and not favoritism, I can appreciate it. When you are part of the unit staff you may not always want ‘rules’ but we want fair treatment and that comes with enforcing some rules. In the end, I have seen both. The lack of fair treatment is like poison to the unit’s culture and the downfall of a manager. On the other hand, I reflect back on fair treatment with a token of appreciation and remember those times as a stable part of my time on the unit.
Encourage and Engagement in Staff’s Growth
As time went by, I worked on many different projects and clinical ladders. I truly appreciate a leader who encourages me to grow even if that meant a change in position. I also appreciated the times a manager spent time doing 1:1’s even if it was a ‘task’ on their to do list. They still made it a priority to do the thing and give me their undivided attention. It was even better when they listened to what I had to say and I saw a follow-up concerning that topic after the fact. I have always had managers that did both or at least did not impede my growth. What I have perceived on other units or other levels of leadership perhaps, is hesitance to allow growth or the need to influence staff’s desire to grow out of the need for control or even insecurities…. I think. I have been lucky to have had supporting direct supervisors but have seen both sides in other spaces.
If you are in management, I encourage fairness and allowing/encouraging staff to grow. I think people show up for you in a different light when they see this from a supervisor. You’ll get more from people when they can tell you are willing to invest time and attention into their own prosperity.
That’s all. Happy managing to us all!