Leadership and Management

  • Managers have people that work for them.
  • Leaders have people that follow them.


Some people may be natural leaders and/or managers, and this is a fantastic combination, however, some of us may need to learn these skills and practice them on a daily basis.

So, what makes a good manager?

These are some of the things that people who we asked said made a good manager.

A person who interacts with their staff is clear on what they expect.

A person who provides good guidance and support.

Someone who is approachable and listens to any issues that you have, and acts on them.

Someone who motivates their staff to get the job done.

A person who is clear about the decision-making process but is honest, fair and equal.

Someone who provides opportunities for their staff and acknowledges contributions and ideas.

Whilst this may seem like a long list, what people actually want from their manager is simple, support, clarity, recognition and fairness. Simple things you can do to start your journey into effective management are:

Have open and honest conversations with your staff about how they feel at work and with the team.

Implement time for conversations and feedback to create a feeling of safety.

Help your staff feel empowered by recognising their ideas and work and praise them when this is deserved.

Recognise and complement each team member’s unique qualities and assign work that matches their specific skill set, to get the best out of your team.

Establish ‘group norms’ (Group norms are the spoken or unspoken rules that guide how team members interact, collaborate effectively, and work efficiently) that encourage your whole team to practice inclusivity.

Look for team members who have different career paths to get a variety of people and skills working together.

So, what makes a good leader?


Leaders don’t need a managerial position to lead and inspire others. They could be a staff member who others look to for advice and inspiration or they could be a manager who is also a great leader. The point is that if you generate a buzz of excitement and inspire others to be the best that they can, then you are a leader!


We also asked a group of people what they felt made a good leader. This is what they said:

  • Someone who leads by example.
  • A person who is passionate about the organisation, its work and the people working there.
  • Someone who is what they say they are and acts accordingly.
  • A person who I can look up to and makes me want to be the best that I can be.
  • A person who I trust has my best interests at heart and wants me to achieve.

Simple things you can do to start your journey into being a good leader are:

  • Actively listen to people as great leaders are those who listen and care about their opinions, needs, and concerns. 
  • Be clear in your goals so that everyone understands them, and people can buy into your vision and come on the journey with you.
  • Be creative and forward thinking. This is infectious and encourages others to buy into your vision.
  • Be inspiring! This may sound difficult but start with understanding the people you work with and what motivates them. You can then tap into their motivation and inspire them to be the best that they can be.

For more information on leadership and management, check out our course by either clicking the link: https://www.tnta.co.uk/products/leadership-and-management-online-training emailing us at info@tnta.co.uk or speaking to one of our friendly staff on 01782 757001

My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!

The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.

Author: Maxine Clark


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