Michael Saltzstein on What Makes a Manager Great

Nothing compares to having a great manager. Employees who feel they are fairly and effectively managed by their managers are typically more productive, engaged, and generally happier at work. The opposite is also true: employees who think their manager isn't doing a good job managing the team don't tend to perform as well. So, what traits separate a good manager from a great one, and is it possible to create a better manager?

Hiring smart

Michael Saltzstein believes hiring the right people is the secret to success in business. Great managers understand how important it is to trust their employees' skills and abilities to do their jobs well, so they go the extra mile to ensure that every new hire is the right candidate.

Knowing their people

Great supervisors understand that to manage employees effectively, they need to take the time to get to know them as people, know their strengths and weaknesses, and find out what each employee needs regarding management style. Understanding what makes their team members "tick" enables managers to delegate tasks and projects according to who they think will do the best job. This is particularly important for departments that typically work in pairs or groups, notes Michael Saltzstein.

Setting a positive tone

Attitudes can be contagious, and the demeanor or attitude of a manager significantly influences that of the entire team or department. Great managers are careful not to convey any negativity they are feeling about a particular assignment or project to their people.

Keeping the lines of communication flowing

Michael Saltzstein believes that communication is key to the success of any team. Employees want to feel that their voice is always heard regarding their work, and it's very important for every person to feel comfortable talking honestly and openly with management. Great managers go to great lengths to ensure their team members feel comfortable voicing their opinions.
Michael Saltzstein spearheads global risk services, financial structures, multi-line claims, and strategic planning and enterprise initiatives. For more on Michael and his insights, click this link.