The ideal Manager has the following abilitites:

1. Keeps people informed
2. Listens
3. Is trustworthy
4. Honest
5. Is accessible
6. Fair
7. Is approachable
8. Is positive
9. Follows up
10. Is supportive
11. Consistent
12. Lets them know where they stand

If you would like some tools to develop in the above areas as an effective leader, incorporating leadership development training, subscribe to our website where we can show you step by step how to be an effective leader.

The following relationship habits have been identified as being possibly current ways that Managers interact with employees.  They all have negative consequences as outlined below:

1. We play favourites with employees.  Employees see this behaviour and model their behaviour on yours.  They may have favourite Managers or employees too, that they know that they can talk to about what is going in the workplace.  Or they may be able to manipulate these Managers by playing games.
2. We micro manage employees.  By not giving employees the space to perform their jobs, you are indicating that you don't trust employees to do the right thing and therefore cause them to do the wrong thing as that is the behaviour that is expected of them.
3. We expect employees to stay late after work and not to be paid for over time.  Employees may have commitments after work such as children or sporting activities.  In order for them to feel balanced and happy, they need to engage in activities outside of work.  More follows....
4. We only meet with employees when they have done something wrong.  They will come to associate you being the School Principal and that the only time they come to you is when they are being told off.
5. We get emotionally involved with our employees.  To remain objective when dealing with employees, we should keep our emotions out of the discussion and request our employees to not become emotional.
6. We begin to believe the soap opera.  Staff members can hardly be expected to speak about facts if they are becoming emotional.  Try and address what the real problem is without directing blame to employees.
7. We get caught up in the dramas and stress of the workplace.  If someone wants to drag you into a witch hunt, refuse to be involved.  Don't contribute to the conversation and don't get involved.
8. We think we can "save people".  Does that person want to be saved?  What are they getting in return for acting that way?  Are you rewarding that bad behaviour by giving them attention?
9. We believe that if they like us, everthing will be OK.  We are all different in personality, background, how we look and the life experiences that we have had.  We cannot expect everyone to like us, nor should everyone like us, if we are saying and doing things just to benefit a person or a group of people, what have we sacrificed in order to maintain that relationsihp?  Is that in line with the business vision and mission?

How effective are you as a leader?  This questionnaire will help to give you a rating on your leadership abilitites and how leadership development training can benefit you.  No-one is perfect and there are always ways that we can improve.  This questionnaire will help you to understand areas that you can improve in and you can find tools on this website to help you to become a more effective leader.  So give yourself an honest rating for each of these areas with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest (in the positive).  Grab a pen and paper and rate yourself out of 10 for each of these questions.

1. Are you working effectively in your role?
2. Do you understand the characteristics of being an effective leader?
3. How well do you manage your stress?
4. Do you communicate effectively?
5. Do you listen effectively and ask questions of employees?
6. How effective are your working relationships in your organisation?
7. Do you understand the element of effective working relationships?
8. Do you understand the personality traits of your employees?
9. Do you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your employees?
10. Rate the culture and morale of your organisation.

Add up all your scores.  How well did you do?