Bad or Great: Which Kind of Manager Are You?
“Bad managers are self-centered but not self-aware.”
“Great managers are both passionate and compassionate.”
Last year, the Predictive Index surveyed 5,103 employees across the business spectrum on dozens of traits of their managers. The result? They validated what we all know. Bad managers are all about themselves. Good managers care about you.
PI took all the answers and created word clouds. The top used word to describe bad managers is selfish. It’s followed by rude, lazy, arrogant, untrustworthy, and dishonest. For great managers the top word is honest. It’s followed by supportive, leader, communicative, respectful, and fair.
Which manager would you rather work for? Which manager would you rather have work for you? Which manager would you rather be?
The answer seems obvious. And yet…
In the survey 1533 managers were ranked as great and 633 as bad. That means quite a few managers possess such traits as “isn’t open to or interested in feedback”, “doesn’t communicate clear expectations” and “badmouths people behind their backs”.
It’s no surprise that there are a lot of bad managers out there and a lot of miserable people forced to report to them. What is surprising is why bad managers are allowed to remain managers.
One of the results of being a great manager is you bring out the best in those you manage. You know where this leads: Your people perform better, leading to better results. Turnover is lower. The best people want to be part of your team.
But the result of being a bad manager is people perform worse, leading to bad results. Turnover is high. And the best people are the first to leave.
Take a look at the report’s list of characteristics of great and bad managers. Which kind of manager are you? And if you’re not happy with your answer, what are you going to do to fix the situation?
Then look at the list with the managers who report to you in mind. Any unwelcome revelations? Make your life easier. Build an organization with great managers and kick the bad ones out.