Great managers are rarely born. They’re forged through years of small steps and daily practice. They also tend to have certain things in common. Here are 10 of the essential habits that lead to highly effective managers.

1. 10 Daily Habits
of Highly Effective Managers

2. Great managers are rarely born.
They’re forged through years of
small steps and daily practice.

3. We work with managers all day long,
and we’ve noticed that they also
tend to practice 10 specific habits.

4. Why these habits?
Well, they have a few things in common:
They’re critical and often difficult to master.

5. They’re critical and often difficult to master.
We see new and first-level managers struggle
with them every day.
Why these habits?
Well, they have a few things in common:

6. They’re critical and often difficult to master.
We see new and first-level managers struggle
with them every day.
Together, they encompass every aspect of a
manager’s job.
Why these habits?
Well, they have a few things in common:

7. Hold regular
1-on-1s
1

8. Build the habit
For each direct report, effective
managers schedule at least 30 minutes at
the same time each week, or better yet,
an hour. They never cancel.
1

9. What HR can do
Encourage new managers to schedule
their 1-on-1s for the next six months.
Share sample questions and guidelines
with both managers and direct reports.
1

10. Proactively
manage up
2

11. Build the habit
Effective managers don’t assume a good
relationship with their boss will happen
naturally. They invest intention,
dedication and time to managing up.
2

12. What HR can do
Encourage managers to learn their bosses’
goals, priorities, values, responsibilities
and communication styles. Remind them
that regular 1-on-1s go both ways!
2

13. Give feedback
3

14. Build the habit
Most managers don’t give nearly enough.
Effective managers give direct reports
feedback in every 1-on-1 at a minimum.
Most (but not all) of it should be positive.
3

15. What HR can do
Don’t just tell managers feedback is
important. Teach them how to deliver it
well (avoid “sandwiching!”), and remind
them that their teams likely crave it.
3

16. Delegate well
4

17. Build the habit
Effective managers set clear, specific
expectations and deadlines for every task
they delegate. Then, they monitor but
don’t micromanage.
4

18. What HR can do
New managers are often reluctant to give
up control. Help them understand that
delegation is not a luxury; it’s key to being
an effective manager.
4

19. Talk about
development
5

20. Build the habit
Effective managers have regular career
conversations with direct reports. They
listen actively, ask open-ended questions
and coach rather than advise.
5

21. What HR can do
Educate managers on career paths at
your company. Encourage them to work
with each direct report to build a personal
career development plan.
5

22. Seek feedback
6

23. Build the habit
Effective managers seek direct, honest
feedback from direct reports, peers, and
their managers. Lots of it. No, even more
than that.
6

24. What HR can do
New managers may believe they can
simply wait around for others to provide
feedback. Encourage them to ask for it
proactively, or it may never come.
6

25. Embrace change
7

26. Build the habit
When change occurs (and it will),
effective managers communicate it
clearly, directly and often. They avoid
blame and don’t sugarcoat hard truths.
7

27. What HR can do
Effective communication is critical. Help
managers understand what they can and
can’t share with their teams, and
encourage them to overcommunicate.
77

28. Initiate tough
conversations
8

29. Build the habit
Effective managers don’t shy away from
tough conversations; they initiate them!
This applies to everyone they work with –
their bosses, peers, and direct reports.
8

30. What HR can do
Practice and role plays can help new
managers feel more comfortable initiating
tough talks. For serious issues, educate
managers on their legal obligations first.
8

31. Cast a wide
hiring net
9

32. Build the habit
Effective managers know that new hires
are only as strong as their candidate pool.
They seek diverse channels when sourcing
prospective candidates.
9

33. What HR can do
Encourage managers to actively
participate in the hiring process rather
than wait for HR to provide candidates.
Train them on proper interview etiquette.
9

34. Say yes to peer
networking
10

35. Build the habit
Effective managers form strong peer
relationships within the company. This
helps them gain knowledge and resources
their teams need to do good work.
10

36. What HR can do
Facilitate peer learning with monthly
manager meet-ups. Invite managers to
share both challenges and successes to
help good ideas catch on broadly.
10

37. Before you go, here are a few things to
keep in mind...
Being a good manager is really hard. It won’t
happen overnight.

38. Before you go, here are a few things to
keep in mind...
Being a good manager is really hard. It won’t
happen overnight.
Effective management is a daily practice of
small steps and good habits.

39. Before you go, here are a few things to
keep in mind...
Being a good manager is really hard. It won’t
happen overnight.
Effective management is a daily practice of
small steps and good habits.
Managers need ongoing support and guidance
in order to succeed.

40. Jhana is the online companion for first-level
managers. We provide bite-sized articles, videos and
practical tools to help managers thrive in today’s
fast-paced workplace.
We believe everyone deserves a great manager.
You too?
We should talk.
Visit us at jhana.com to learn more.
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