In conducting management and leadership programs for almost 13 years now, there are certain traits participants have consistently told me they want to see in their managers, supervisors, and team leaders. And in this difficult economy,  it’s especially important to practice these characteristics to keep morale high when managing your employees. Here they are:

1. Honesty. Do you possess personal integrity? Do you do what you say you are going to do? You can be intelligent and educated, but if your employees don’t trust you, they won’t want to follow you. Remember, if anything, under-promise and over-deliver. The one thing you promise and can’t deliver on will be one thing they’ll remember. As the saying goes, they remember your last act.
2. Good communicator. It’s imperative that in managing your employees, you have a clear understanding of what their jobs entail. Also, have you clearly communicated the roles and responsibilities of each team member and where they fit in with the organizations goals? Do they know their role relative to the rest of the team? If there are changes, do you clearly communicate those changes in priorities? I ask this because I often hear my participants say about the organization they work for that, “The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. Our priorities are constantly shifting but we’re not notified until it’s too late.”
3. Compatible personality with the team. Employees want a manager who is consistent and not blowing hot and cold. They don’t want a manager who is moody and unpredictable. In managing your employees, put yourself in their shoes. You, too, probably want a manager who is stable and consistent. Especially in an economy that is anything but stable and consistent.
4. Fair-minded and objective. In managing your employees, make sure you’re objective. Don’t play favorites. Don’t socialize only with a good friend you’re managing. Employees pick up on that. And I hear about it a lot from managers themselves about their own managers.

In managing your employees be inspiring and future-oriented. This is one of the top five traits people tell me they want to see in their managers. They’ll often say, “I want someone inspiring who has vision.” Communicate clearly so your team can work toward shared goals. Have an action plan in writing.

5. Be intelligent and aware of what’s really going on in and around your workplace. Be educated and up-to-date on what your employees actually do on a day-to-day basis.

And most importantly, be prepared to answer any questions if they’re concerned about the future of their jobs. Employees want to be informed and kept in the loop. In these uncertain times, some employees require more communication and self-assurance. In managing your employees, you really are managing their emotions.

Colleen Seward Ryan is a dynamic speaker and author. She is available for seminars, keynotes and breakout sessions by calling (623)340-7690.

Sign up for Colleen’s free e-newsletter on leadership, life balance, dealing with difficult people, managing people, presentation skills and more: http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com/newsletter.htm

Watch speaker Colleen Seward Ryan’s video clips at http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com/kettenhofen_video.htm

For Colleen Seward Ryan’s articles on leadership, life balance, dealing with difficult people, managing people, presentation skills, team building, meetings and more: http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com/freearticles.htm