It’s hardly easy to rise to the ranks of a general manager. Of course, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any room for improvements.
Which begs the question: what makes a general manager not just good but great?
The answer to this is subjective, given many general managers and experts on this subject have different tips on offer.
While some of these might be things that you are already doing or even entirely new, they are all useful traits of an excellent general manager.
Here are five successful traits of a general manager:
1: Listen To Your Staff
Good managers are those that make it a point that their staff feels that they are indeed of the team.
One of the biggest mistakes that managers can make is to be dismissive of their staff and most importantly, their suggestions too.
It’s vital that you pay heed to their insights as this will help you manage work better.
2: Welcome Feedback
Since we are all human, it’s fair to assume that even general managers make mistakes, whether they are aware of this or not. So, it’s best not to get defensive and welcome feedback.
These criticisms will work as constructive criticism to get much better at your job.
3: Spend 30 minutes reading Industry News
General managers are always busy with many things. However, it is vital that you keep track of essential trends and news that will affect your position as a manager but most importantly, your organisation as a whole.
All it takes is about 30 minutes to read up on both industry news and trends too. For this, you can set up a Feedly account or even RSS software to compile everything in one place.
4: Don’t Be Afraid of Change
Industries are constantly changing. In terms of your organisation, it could be policies, emerging technologies, and staff management.
Don’t be afraid of change. Embrace it for the simple reason that if your employees see you adapting to these changes, they will follow suit.
5: Motivate People
You are your staff’s biggest cheerleader. If they are stressed, it’s best not to criticise them. Instead, ensure that they understand they are a part of something much bigger than themselves. Make sure that they feel valued, regardless of the position they hold.
In Closing
These are five foundational traits a general manager need to be better at their position, with their employees, and the organisation as a whole.
So, are there any other traits that you can think of when it comes to being an effective general manager?
If so, feel free to share them in the comments section.
