Do you measure up as a manager?

• Author: Wiesner, Pat
• Position: On Management - Characteristics needed by managers and leaders - Editorial

AHH, TO SEE OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US! If you can handle it, you could be about to get some good ideas that will help you become the manager you want to be. Below are a number of characteristics needed by managers and leaders. Read the definitions carefully, then give yourself a grade from 1 to 10, ten being best. After that, for a real test of yourself as a manager, give the test to people on your team, and allow them to respond anonymously.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

OK, here goes:

--Everyone on my team has a clear job description. A person needs to know exactly what is expected of him and how he will be measured.

--Our group has a set of objectives that every member understands.

--I have a plan to achieve these objectives that is understood by the entire team. Each member knows his piece of the plan and has had plenty of opportunity to discuss it with me.

--We train our people to be better. It is good for our company performance, good for company spirit and moral, and good for the individual.

--I listen. Often. To know the ideas, goals and aspirations of each team member.

--I am consistent and fair. (If you want a lot of turnover, be the kind of boss nobody can figure out.)

--I run meetings in which everyone participates. I never just use them as a forum to talk about my ideas. And I respect everyone's time; a one-hour meeting ends in one hour!

--I never find fault in public, nor do I yell, belittle or insult in private or in public.

--I give energy. Some managers seem to take something from you every time you deal with them. Be the boss that gives support, enthusiasm, credit and encouragement.

--I give people jobs that take advantage of their talents and abilities. This draws from them their best possible work and helps them grow.

--I expect a high level of performance. Everyone who works for me knows exactly what they have to do to get a "job well...