Leading Indicators for Good Managers
Today effective management is about more than meeting deadlines and hitting performance targets. It requires leaders to nurture workplace cultures where team members feel valued, supported, and motivated to excel. While traditional metrics like productivity or revenue capture results, they don’t tell the full story.
For a more accurate understanding of a manager’s effectiveness, it’s important to focus on leading indicators, key signs that a manager is not just managing, but leading in a way that fosters sustainable growth and success.
These leading indicators show how managers proactively set the stage for their team’s long-term achievement and effectiveness:
Regular 1:1 Meetings: Consistent check-ins with two-way dialogue show that a manager is invested in their team members, creating trust, and aligning efforts.
Strong Team Relationships: Positive and productive dynamics among team members reflect a leader who cultivates civility, collaboration, and belonging.
Role Modeling Life Balance: Managers who demonstrate self-regulation, inspire their team to maintain healthy work habits, and positively adjust to the life circumstances of their team members.
Retention of Top Talent: High performers stay where they are challenged, appreciated, and see a path for growth.
Quick Onboarding to Productivity: Managers who integrate new hires effectively show an ability to prepare their teams for seamless, aligned, impactful work.
Focused Employee Development: Providing individually designed continuous opportunities for learning shows commitment to the team’s growth.
Low Levels of Unresolved Conflict: A willingness to address conflicts early and swiftly ensures a stable, positive, and cooperative environment.
Delegation with Purpose: Empowering team members with responsibility builds confidence and allows the manager to focus on strategic leadership.
Proactive Succession Planning: Preparing future leaders from within demonstrates forward-thinking and resilience.
By nurturing these indicators, managers can ensure they’re not only meeting current goals but also positioning their teams for future success. These proactive measures can tell top leaders which managers are well positioned to lead in the future.