3 Core Attributes of an Amazingly Effective Manager
There’s a famous quote often used in leadership teachings: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
As professionals of the floral industry—an industry that inspires others and brings a client’s artistic dreams into reality—no words are more true.
What Makes a Successful Manager?
We often look to our managers and supervisors as leaders—exemplary employees that we go to as a source for ideas, answers, and sometimes opinions.
I regularly like to use the analogy that managers are "the grease that keeps the machine running." When a situation becomes difficult, the manager is someone that you should be able to count on always to be there, whether good or bad. Sounds perfect, right?
“When a situation becomes difficult, the manager is someone that you should be able to count on always to be there, whether good or bad.”
Unfortunately for many people, that's not the case. Managers tend to have a bad reputation as someone who puts people down or is a part of the problem rather than a solution.
In my early years in the flower industry, I also encountered this problem, working under a "tyrant" of a manager who thrived off disrespecting and mistreating employees. Though I survived this ordeal, and later became a manager myself and business owner today, I will never forget the years of mistreatment endured—all in the name of mastering my craft.
I owe some of my ability to work well with others to difficult managers, and if I could go back in time, I wouldn't change a thing. I've been able to learn from these experiences and apply them as a business owner. My own experience in the flower industry has allowed me to establish principles used in my own business every day and can be used as inspiration to others looking to become effective leaders in the workplace.
What makes a successful manager? Is it the responsibilities that they hold? The way they interact with others? It's all of the above. An effective leader in an industry filled with passionate creatives is somewhat of an enigma—teetering the line between Mother Teresa and General Patton. One must be compassionate, able to communicate effectively, and hold employees accountable in order to successfully achieve the desired objective. The days of managing with an iron fist are long gone, and treating employees as people has shown to produce quality results.
I believe there are three core attributes that make for an effective manager in our industry. Let’s dive in below.
1. Compassion
Also known as a sense of understanding, compassion is first on the list because I believe this to the most important topic. Our employees are people with lives and real-world issues. Sometimes those issues spill into the workplace.
They may be having a rough day, and it could be affecting the quality of their work. Rather than adding to that employee's problems, be a part of the solution. Take the employee aside and ask them if they are okay or perhaps mention that you've noticed they weren't themselves, letting them know that you genuinely care about them.
Employees who know that they are important and that their efforts are appreciated tend to produce far more than an employee who continually feels stifled and unappreciated. Something I learned quickly as an employer was that some people just need to be heard. Being a sounding board to your employees can help resolve internal conflicts that he or she may have.
“Our employees are people with lives and real-world issues. ”
2. Communication
Learning to effectively communicate with others came somewhat natural to me early on in my career. I was always the social butterfly that could have a conversation with almost anyone.
Unfortunately, that was not the case for a few managers in my early years. I was constantly talked down to and made to feel inadequate most days. I was expected to read minds and know what the manager wanted from me before I asked. As I advanced in my career, I knew that I didn't want others to feel this way. I made it a point always to be upfront with employees and clearly communicate expectations.
“ I made it a point always to be upfront with employees and clearly communicate expectations. ”
Understandably, a manager's job isn't always the easiest and can be very stressful at times, but there is no place for employee mistreatment. If a problem comes up with an employee, it's better to speak to them immediately rather than allowing resentment to set in. Rude comments and passive-aggressive behavior can ruin any work environment and cause larger problems in the end. Speaking to employees about what needs to improve or change is never easy, but choosing your words correctly and treating them with understanding and dignity will positively resolve most issues. If problems are never talked through together, how will they ever be resolved?
3. Accountability
Creating a positive and comfortable work environment is key, and accountability is vital to its success. This begins with an employee's training.
If an employee is well informed and aware of their responsibilities from the beginning, they will perform well and be a great asset to the business.
In the first shop I worked in, employees received little to no instruction. However, they were still expected to understand their responsibilities. This led to chaos and confusion.
As I became manager, I found that the more effectively individuals were trained, the fewer mistakes occurred. If your shop is organized, employees will understand their position and be more easily held accountable. A successful manager must be kind, respectful, and understanding, but must also ensure that every employee fulfills what is expected of them.
“As I became manager, I found that the more effectively individuals were trained, the fewer mistakes occurred. ”
When mistakes are made, employees need to understand what has been done wrong and how to fix the problem in the future. In the beginning, I struggled because I never wanted to be the "manager." I wanted everyone to like me. At times I would find myself allowing people to arrive late or skip daily tasks that were assigned to them because it was easier than speaking to them about it.
Honestly, I would find myself finishing those tasks at the end of the night. However, this simply isn't effective. For the business to be efficient, every element of the machine must work together, and the manager must be the grease that makes each element work successfully together.
Being a manager is not for the faint of heart. On the one hand, you must be both compassionate and understanding—and on the other, hold employees accountable and ensure production quality and efficiency. This is much easier said than done. If there is one piece I hope you take from my experience, know that compassion and communication are most important. Be there for your employees when they need to be heard, and gain their respect when tough conversations need to happen.
“Be there for your employees when they need to be heard, and gain their respect when tough conversations need to happen. ”
It is crucial to understand that the words you choose have an incredible impact on how your employees hear your message and can be the deciding factor of having a staff with a high turnaround and who stick around for years.
In an industry that thrives on creativity, it is crucial to foster a healthy work environment that allows your staff to do what they do best: design flowers and create satisfied and returning customers.
