The effect a manager has on your enjoyment of a job can never be underestimated. In fact, two in five employees have actually resigned from a job because of their manager. The relationship between a manager and employee should always be a two-way street. It should not just be about the expectations the manager places on the employee, but also the way the employee expects to be treated. If you are having issues with your manager, you may be wondering if you are being unreasonable, or if you are within your rights to have concerns. These are the qualities to expect from a manager.

Good Communication

Managers should be strong communicators and they should be aware of the language they use when interacting with you. If they are unhappy with an aspect of your work, for example, they should ask how they can help you, instead of placing any blame on you. It is particularly important if you have not been in the job long. A manager should support you and interact with you in a positive, mindful manner.

Offer Autonomy

There is no point in being hired to do a job but everywhere you look, your manager is hanging over your shoulder. Managers should be there as support, but they should trust you enough to get on with your job.

Personal Interest

Although you don’t expect your manager to be your best friend, they should take some kind of personal interest in you. After all, you’re a person, not just a commodity! For example, you would expect them to recognise your birthday or understand your interests. Poor managers won’t take any interest in you, other than doing your job. As such, you won’t feel that they are invested in you as a person.

Motivation

You should feel that your manager is motivating you. If you dread speaking to your manager, this is a sign that your manager is not doing their job well. You should feel inspired and uplifted by the conversations you have with them. Unfortunately, many people feel the opposite way when conversing with their managers.

Recognition

There is a basic level of recognition that you should expect from your manager. Recognition doesn’t mean that they need to buy you a gift when you do a good job, but a simple ‘well done’ or ‘thank you’ can go a long way to helping you feel appreciated. Managers that consistently focus on what you haven’t done, rather than what you have, will eventually grind you down.

Accountability

If you are not performing as well as expected, your manager should have some accountability for this. There is a reason why football managers are sacked before the players. It is because there are expectations that the manager will inspire and motivate the team to perform well. The same applies to other industries. Your manager is responsible for ensuring you are happy, and that you have all the tools and support to perform well in your job. If they are constantly grinding you down, you are unlikely to perform to your full potential.

If you have a poor manager, it can leave you feeling discontented, even if you enjoy your job. In this case, you may decide that the best option is to move on. At Inspired CVs, we can help create a CV that will help you explore other job opportunities. You can contact us or order directly and we will be in touch to discuss your needs in more detail.