9 Habits of a Good Manager (Photo : Twitter/@LollyDaskal)
A recent survey concerning Google's people operations reveals nine habits that form great managers.
Director of talent development Michael Donovan and technical project lead of the human/social dynamics program Neal Patel have developed a scheme called Project Oxygen, for Google, as per Business Insider.
Project Oxygen is seen by Donovan and Patel as a way to enhance management that naturally suits Google's inimitable values. It involved employees under managers from both highest and lowest quartile.
The highest quartile managers have the best performance and happiest teams while the lowest quartile managers have the worst performance and unhappy teams.
The findings of Donovan and Partel's Project Oxygen revealed that the office staffs who transferred from the lowest quartile to the highest quartile had better performance as compared to those who stayed in the lowest quartile.
The researchers utilized the findings to devise an analysis called "Upward Feedback Survey," which is done semiannually. The survey involved a checklist that office workers use to evaluate their managers, with anonymity in consideration.
The managers receive a summative report that contains the percentages of favorable responses, which are compared with their previous report. After getting the report, they will discuss the results with their team as well as the ways on how they can be a better leader.
The survey includes a list of behaviors, which makes an "amazing manager" if performed.
A good manager provides feedback to his employees, making them better performers. Also, a manager does not "micromanage" as minute aspects of the project can be delegated to other departments.
A manager should show empathy and consideration to his subordinates, as they are also people who have feelings. Focus on goals and priority results are essential to an effective leader. An upright leader also informs clear plans for the team.
A good leader also regularly shares pertinent information or experience on leadership to his team. At least once every six months, the leader should also conduct meetings on how the team members become better in their career.
Technical proficiency in effective team management is also a characteristic of a good manager. And lastly, their staffs recommend a good leader to their workmates.
Google SVP of People Operations Lazlo Bock said in his book "Work Rules" that these surveys have made better managers.
The average score of Google's managers increased from 83 percent to 88 percent, from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, the score of the lower quartile managers heightened from 70 percent to 77 percent.
For Bock, Project Oxygen is an "ongoing success" in cultivating managers' performance.
A leader has the responsibility to become the best that he can be, as per Business Insider.
As a leader, hindrances to the team's growth should be identified. Conscious effort should be done to remove negative leadership habits that block a team to be successful.
