The Manager's Guide to Greatness: Because Average is so Last Season

In the grand circus of company life, managers often find themselves walking a tightrope between chaos and success. Great managers, however, seem to have a magic wand that turns the mundane into the extraordinary. 

Employees who feel they have great managers report positive work environments, better health, and decreased negative coping behaviors (i.e. crying in the bathroom). They’re also 2.5 times more likely to be fully engaged, put in extra effort, advocate for the company, and stay for the long term.

So, what's the secret sauce that makes them stand out in a sea of mediocrity? Let's peel back the layers of leadership and uncover the five things that make great managers, well, great.

Emotionally Intelligent Superheroes
Move over, Avengers; great managers are the real superheroes with their high emotional intelligence (EI). They don't just lead teams; they create a positive work atmosphere, establish trust, and settle disagreements with the finesse of a diplomat. Who needs to tell you that emotions matter when you've got a manager who can decipher feelings and what goes unsaid better than a fortune teller reading palms?

Empowerment Enthusiasts
Forget the traditional managerial handbook; great managers throw it out the window. Instead, they give their employees autonomy, ownership, and trust like confetti at a celebration. Studies say empowered teams are more engaged and productive – it's like giving your team the keys to the company Ferrari and watching them speed toward success. Who knew that trust could be a manager's secret weapon, not just a warm and fuzzy concept?

Communication Connoisseurs
Great managers aren't just talkers; they're experts of communication. They listen like therapists and articulate ideas with the precision of surgeons. By creating a culture of open communication, they ensure their teams are more aligned than synchronized swimmers at the Olympics. Because nothing says success like a team that communicates clearly – like a telegraph operator in the age of email.

Goal Gurus
While the rest of us are setting goals like New Year's resolutions (and promptly forgetting about them), great managers are setting clear, achievable goals for their teams. It's not just about targets; it's about creating a roadmap to success. Transparent goal-setting, like a treasure map, leads the team to the organizational pot of gold. Who needs a GPS when your manager has helped you chart the course to victory?

Cultivators of Greatness
Forget green thumbs; great managers have a talent for cultivating potential in their team members. They invest in professional development, mentorship, and continuous learning. Employee growth isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a strategic move that reduces turnover rates and boosts loyalty. Because in the garden of success, great managers are the master cultivators.

So, aspiring managers, take note. It's not enough to be average when greatness is within reach. Channel your inner emotional intelligence superhero, embrace empowerment like a zealot, communicate with finesse, set goals like a guru, and cultivate greatness in your team.

After all, being a great manager isn't just about hitting targets; it's about leading a team that dances to the rhythm of success. And remember, in the world of management, average is so last season.