Teams need leading managers

In 2008, Google started research into what makes a good manager. The data revealed that managers DO matter. Teams of workers with managers were found to be happier and more productive.

A good manager ...

  • is a good coach.
  • empowers a team and doesn’t micromanage.
  • creates an inclusive team environment, showing concern for success and well-being.
  • is productive and results-oriented.
  • is a good communicator who listens and shares information.
  • supports career development and discusses performance.
  • has a clear vision and strategy for the team.
  • has the expertise to advise the team.
  • collaborates.
  • is a strong decision-maker.

Tim Morris (in "Business Result Advanced video Viewpoint 4", OUP) has said: "... we would tend to think about this is that leaders are more associated with things like vision, strategy in the long-term, innovation, managing the environment around the organization. ... Whereas managers are concerned with making the system run, keeping the current system running, ... more efficiently or effectively...  mundane type of aspects of what people do inside an organization. ... although the essence of leadership may be around change and the essence of management may be around maintaining the existing system, I think it’s a worryingly artificial divide if you think leaders do one thing and managers do another. There’s a lot of overlap"

Source: https://rework.withgoogle.com/guides/managers-identify-what-makes-a-great-manager/steps/learn-about-googles-manager-research/

MY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS:

A good manager is someone who...

  • supports their staff and helps them feel at ease and empowered by their belonging to the group
  • anticipates challenges and helps everyone involved explore ways to deal with them
  • keeps "the big picture" in sight, and enables people under their lead to consider what matters beyond "daily rush"

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