3 Important Qualities of a Good Manager: Communication Skills with Employees

A good manager with strong communication skills can create a work environment where team members feel valued, and understood. In this article, we’ll explore three key qualities that enhance a manager’s communication with employees and help build trust, boost motivation, and create a positive workplace where everyone can succeed.

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Good Manager Quality 1: Speak with Honesty and Listen with Empathy

Kim Scott’s Radical Candor model highlights two key elements: Challenge Directly and Care Personally (Scott, 2019). When used together, these qualities allow a good manager to provide honest, constructive feedback while demonstrating genuine concern for their team members’ well-being.

For example, when an employee’s performance doesn’t meet expectations, a good manager with strong communication skills addresses the issue directly. They’re open and honest about areas needing improvement, providing clear guidance to help the employee grow. This straightforward approach ensures transparency and prevents misunderstandings, making it easier for team members to understand expectations.

However, simply challenging an employee to improve isn’t enough. A good manager balances direct feedback with empathy, considering and listening to the individual’s feelings, needs, and development goals (Scott et al, 2010). This communication skill of combining directness and personal care shows employees they’re valued and supported.

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Improve Your Communication Skills: Honesty and Empathy

Step 1: Identify the Issue Clearly

• Scenario: You notice an employee, Alex, has been missing project deadlines.
• Action: Identify the specific issue and prepare to discuss it without generalisations.

Step 2: Use Direct, Honest Language

• Scenario: You schedule a private meeting with Alex.
• Action: Address the performance issue directly, saying, “Alex, I’ve noticed you missed a few project deadlines. Let’s talk about what might be causing this.”

Step 3: Show Empathy by Listening Actively

• Scenario: Alex explains they’re struggling with workload balance.
• Action: Listen without interruption and ask clarifying questions to show that you care about their perspective.

Step 4: Offer Support and Solutions

• Scenario: You discover Alex needs help prioritising tasks.
• Action: Collaborate on solutions, such as adjusting deadlines or creating a priority list, to demonstrate your commitment to their success.

Step 5: Follow Up Regularly

• Scenario: After implementing the solution, keep in touch to monitor progress.
• Action: Schedule periodic check-ins to reinforce your role as a supportive manager.

By embracing both honesty and empathy, good managers strengthen their communication skills, creating an environment of psychological safety. This balanced approach encourages employees to accept feedback positively, make necessary improvements, and feel respected within the team.

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Good Manager Quality 2: Provide Clarity on Tasks and Goals

Psychologists Chip and Dan Heath emphasize that “What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity” (Heath, & Heath, 2011, p.17). Often, obstacles arise from unclear instructions. For example, if a manager tells their team, “We need our social media to be more engaging,” this vague directive can leave employees confused about expectations.

A good manager uses effective communication skills to articulate specific, measurable goals, such as saying, “I want to increase our social media engagement by 20% this quarter.” This clarity helps team members understand their roles and align their efforts with organisational objectives. Whether focusing on operational tasks or broader strategies, strong communication skills foster a productive work environment and empower employees to succeed.

Additionally, the level of clarity required may vary depending on the management tier. Junior managers might focus on operational tasks, while senior managers could concentrate on broader visions and strategies. In all cases, effective communication skills foster a productive work environment and empower employees to achieve their goals.

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Improve Your Communication Skills: Clarity

Step 1: Define the Objective Clearly

• Scenario: You need to enhance the team’s social media engagement.
• Action: Clearly outline the specific goal, such as “We aim to increase our social media interactions by 20% in the next quarter.”

Step 2: Break Down the Goals into Actionable Steps

• Scenario: You have set the engagement goal, but the team is unsure how to achieve it.
• Action: Provide a detailed action plan, such as creating three engaging posts per week, responding to comments daily, and hosting a monthly live Q&A session.

Step 3: Communicate Expectations

• Scenario: After defining the goals and actions, team members may still have questions.
• Action: Hold a team meeting to communicate expectations clearly, stating who is responsible for each task and what success looks like.

Step 4: Encourage Questions and Feedback

• Scenario: Team members may be hesitant to ask questions in the meeting.
• Action: Foster an open environment by saying, “Please feel free to ask questions or share any concerns about your roles.”

Step 5: Monitor Progress and Adjust as Necessary

• Scenario: A few weeks into the plan, you notice that engagement is not improving as expected.
• Action: Schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress, discuss challenges, and adjust strategies based on feedback and performance data.

By providing clarity on tasks and goals through strong communication skills, good managers empower their teams to align their efforts effectively. This structured approach not only ensures everyone knows what is expected but also fosters accountability and motivation within the team.

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Good Manager Quality 3: Demonstrate perseverance for the Company’s Visions

As Chief Reminding Officers (CROs), good managers regularly reiterate critical messages, ensuring everyone understands the company’s objectives (Scott, 2019). They recognize their role is not just to lead but also to inspire and guide team members to align their efforts with the broader vision.

When introducing new ideas, a manager may not receive immediate enthusiasm from their team, which can be discouraging. However, good managers understand that persistence is essential. Rather than giving up or becoming frustrated, they consistently communicate the vision’s importance, reminding the team of the purposes behind their decisions, even amid resistance.

This effective communication skill fosters stability and direction within the team, which creates a culture where the company’s vision flows throughout the organization, empowering employees to remain focused and engaged in achieving shared goals.

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Improve Your Communication Skills: Perseverance

Step 1: Reiterate the Vision Consistently

• Scenario: Your company is undergoing changes, and some team members seem uncertain about the direction.
• Action: Regularly remind the team of the company’s vision during meetings, stating, “Our goal is to innovate and lead in our industry. Let’s stay focused on this mission.”

Step 2: Lead by Example

• Scenario: You notice that morale is low and productivity is slipping.
• Action: Show your commitment by actively working on projects that align with the vision and maintaining a positive attitude. For example, participate in brainstorming sessions and share your enthusiasm for upcoming initiatives.

Step 3: Address Challenges Openly

• Scenario: The team encounters significant obstacles while trying to achieve the vision.
• Action: Hold a meeting to openly discuss these challenges, reinforcing the importance of the vision and collaborating on solutions. Encourage team members to share their thoughts on overcoming these hurdles.

Step 4: Celebrate Small Wins

• Scenario: The team has made progress but may not see it as significant.
• Action: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones that align with the company vision, such as completing a key project phase. This recognition helps to maintain motivation and focus on the larger goals.

Step 5: Encourage Continuous Improvement

• Scenario: The team feels stuck and is unsure how to move forward.
• Action: Encourage team members to brainstorm new ideas and approaches that support the vision. Create a safe space for experimentation and learning from mistakes.

By demonstrating perseverance in upholding the company vision through effective communication skills, good managers inspire their teams to stay aligned with long-term goals. This commitment fosters a resilient work environment where employees feel motivated to contribute to the organisation’s success.

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Become a Good Manager and Improve Communication Skills with MindForest App

Effective management and strong communication skills are vital for career advancement. The MindForest App is your essential digital tool designed to enhance your management capabilities and foster better communication with employees. Here’s how MindForest can help you grow as a good manager:

1) AI Coach for Developing Management Strategies

Use the AI coach to refine your management style. It analyses your leadership approach and provides tailored advice to enhance your communication skills, helping you engage more effectively with your team.

2) Insight Journal for Reflective Practice

The Insight Journal feature encourages you to document interactions and feedback, fostering a deeper understanding of your communication dynamics. This reflective practice helps you identify areas for improvement, making you a more effective communicator and manager.

3) Goal-Setting for Effective Team Management

Set and review clear goals with MindForest’s goal-setting function. This promotes accountability and helps you articulate expectations clearly, ensuring your team is aligned and motivated.

Download MindForest now to elevate your management skills and communication effectiveness, paving the way for a successful and fulfilling career.

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References

Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2011). Switch. Random House Business Books.

Scott, B. A., Colquitt, J. A., Paddock, E. L., & Judge, T. A. (2010). A daily investigation of the role of manager empathy on employee well-being. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 113(2), 127–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2010.08.001

Scott, K. (2019).Radical candor How to get what you want by saying what you mean. Pan Books.

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