Which of these qualities does your manager demonstrate?

In the past decade, the characteristics of a good manager have shifted. Experience and technical skills were once required. Today, companies place a greater emphasis on interpersonal skills, such as listening, being flexible, and inviting open communication. 

These soft skills include building trust, showing empathy, taking responsibility, and investing in employee development. Let’s take a closer look at the top 13 qualities of a good manager.

1. Transparency: When managers provide honest, authentic communication, employees feel like a true partner in the business — and more connected as a result.

2. Good communication: Good managers take the time to listen and understand what is really happening within the organization.

3. Trust: When employees feel they can trust their manager, they also trust the decisions management makes and are dedicated to the organization’s goals and vision. 

4. Empathy: Good managers are compassionate listeners and fearless leaders who can maintain their employees’ respect, even when they disagree about decisions. Empathetic managers are more successful at leading.

5. Decisiveness: Being decisive means making good decisions, not necessarily popular ones. This leads to better business outcomes and continued growth. 

6. Vision: The traits of a good manager include a vision that aligns with the company’s mission and values. Expressing that vision clearly inspires and motivates employees to give their all.

7. Accountability: Good managers are autonomous and require minimal supervision. They’re also accountable for mistakes. Instead of blaming others, good managers focus on actionable ways to get better results.

8. Employee development: Top Workplaces know that unleashing employee potential depends on manager support and development. A great manager is also a coach who takes the time to truly understand their employees’ abilities and interests, and then aligns them with the company’s needs. 

9. Delegation: Knowing how and when to delegate can help managers focus on essential tasks while allowing others to grow and develop. They also give credit where credit is due. 

10. Availability: When managers make themselves available, employees feel heard and valued.

11. Responsibility: Good managers take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their employees. They look for ways to help employees develop skills while becoming more autonomous. 

12. Optimism: Successful managers understand they need to lead by example and infuse their workplace with optimism and positive energy. 

13. Leadership: Good managers motivate, inspire, and influence. Their actions speak louder than words, and they understand the lasting impact of supporting employees. 

Laura Brinton is content marketing director at Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee survey firm. Energage is The Washington Post’s survey partner for Top Workplaces.