Managers
play a leading role in the process of building and implementing corporate
responsibility into core business strategies. They carry special
responsibilities towards all stakeholders – employees, partners, customers,
society and environment. Besides, they should be examples of best practice and
true leadership. Change in terms of corporate responsibility requires buy-in of
all major stakeholders, but first and foremost of business managers. With this
topic of the month, csrglobal-consulting wants to create awareness of some
important principles that characterize good management and good leadership.
Seven
personal qualities found in a good leader:
1.
Character: A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of
utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs
to be trusted and be known to live their life with honesty and integrity. A
good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have
responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good
character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.
2.
Enthusiasm: A good leader is enthusiastic about his work or cause
and also about his role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person
of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of
inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although
the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs
to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader
will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.
3. Confidence: A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.
4. Mental Strength: A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.
5. Tolerance: Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.
6. Analytic Skills: A good leader, as well as keeping the main goal in focus, is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. While keeping the goal in view, a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.
7. Commitment to Excellence: A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.
3. Confidence: A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.
4. Mental Strength: A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.
5. Tolerance: Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.
6. Analytic Skills: A good leader, as well as keeping the main goal in focus, is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. While keeping the goal in view, a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.
7. Commitment to Excellence: A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.
Ten
principles for being a good manager:
1.
Acknowledge your staff: When a member of staff does a job well, make sure you
notice it, and acknowledge her or him for it. Don't let the opportunity to
praise a piece of good work go by.
2. Never, ever, humiliate anyone on your staff team: If you are annoyed with someone on your team, or they have done something wrong, make sure you keep your cool, especially in public. If you humiliate someone, he or she will hold a grudge against you, and their work will suffer too.
3. Create a culture where mistakes are OK: If you don't make mistakes, chances are you are not stretching yourself. If your staff are allowed to feel that mistakes are part of reaching for new highs, rather than something to feel bad about, or shamed for, then they will take more risks on your behalf.
4. Remember personal details: Take time to get to know your staffs, which they are, which is important in their lives, etc. Be interested in them as people, not just as workers.
5. Don't hide behind your position: Be human and friendly with your staff - that way you will all be able to support and encourage each other when things are tough.
6. Be approachable: Allow your staff to feel that they can come and talk to you about sensitive issues, about inside- and outside-work difficulties, and that you will respect them, and not hold what they share against them.
7. Admit your mistakes: If you get it wrong, say so. Managers don't have to be infallible! Your staff will respect you more if you are able to admit your mistakes, and then set about sorting out a solution.
8. Listen in such a way that your employees will talk to you: Often people feel afraid of, or intimidated by, management. Make sure you show people that you are willing to listen to what they have to say, that they are important and worthy of your time.
9. Be clear in your requests: It is your responsibility to ensure that people understand your requests - so communicate clearly, and ask if people have understood what you are asking for.
10. Treat everyone respectfully and courteously at all times: Particularly when there is a problem! Everyone who works for you is a valuable human being who deserves respect. A manager is only as good as how she or he treats the people on her or his team.
2. Never, ever, humiliate anyone on your staff team: If you are annoyed with someone on your team, or they have done something wrong, make sure you keep your cool, especially in public. If you humiliate someone, he or she will hold a grudge against you, and their work will suffer too.
3. Create a culture where mistakes are OK: If you don't make mistakes, chances are you are not stretching yourself. If your staff are allowed to feel that mistakes are part of reaching for new highs, rather than something to feel bad about, or shamed for, then they will take more risks on your behalf.
4. Remember personal details: Take time to get to know your staffs, which they are, which is important in their lives, etc. Be interested in them as people, not just as workers.
5. Don't hide behind your position: Be human and friendly with your staff - that way you will all be able to support and encourage each other when things are tough.
6. Be approachable: Allow your staff to feel that they can come and talk to you about sensitive issues, about inside- and outside-work difficulties, and that you will respect them, and not hold what they share against them.
7. Admit your mistakes: If you get it wrong, say so. Managers don't have to be infallible! Your staff will respect you more if you are able to admit your mistakes, and then set about sorting out a solution.
8. Listen in such a way that your employees will talk to you: Often people feel afraid of, or intimidated by, management. Make sure you show people that you are willing to listen to what they have to say, that they are important and worthy of your time.
9. Be clear in your requests: It is your responsibility to ensure that people understand your requests - so communicate clearly, and ask if people have understood what you are asking for.
10. Treat everyone respectfully and courteously at all times: Particularly when there is a problem! Everyone who works for you is a valuable human being who deserves respect. A manager is only as good as how she or he treats the people on her or his team.
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