Poor managers can leave staff feeling unfulfilled

Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Poor managers can leave staff feeling unfulfilled

Bad managers can seriously impact the productivity of staff and research suggests that staff who feel disillusioned at work are often poorly managed. So what are the signs of a bad manager?

Poor managers are often bad listeners. Empathy is a quality that managers need to develop in order to see workplace issues from other perspectives. Staff who feel that their opinions are being listened to and acted upon, are likely to be much more productive and satisfied in the workplace.

Along with listening comes understanding, or at least the desire to understand. Managers should try to understand how their staff are feeling at work and whether their needs are being met. Training needs analysis can help to establish who may be feeling less confident in their job and who would benefit from staff training.

Poor managers often lack the ability to delegate, which can leave them with little time to deal with personnel issues. Delegation is a key skill that can be enhanced through learndirect training for managers. It frees up the manager’s time and also instills confidence in staff who are likely to flourish if they are given more responsibility.

To be a good manager, one must also be able to give praise and recognition where it’s due. Insincere or over-the-top praise will leave staff feeling under-valued, so striking the right balance is essential.

Explore learndirect's Team Leading and Management NVQs.