To become an exceptional manager, you have to work at it and adopt key habits that not only allow you to meet expectations, but empower you to bring out the best in others.

Here are seven habits of successful, forward-thinking, managers:

  1. Goal Setting

The best managers write down their goals, revisit them regularly and measure their progress. They map out their steps to get closer to these goals, every day.

  • Follow the SMART goal framework. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Using these guidelines enables you to not only set broad goals, but also develop sub-goals to break your tasks down into manageable pieces.

  1. Time Management

In a nutshell, successful time management means cutting out any activities that don’t align with your goals.

  • Set aside time at the beginning and end of each day to plan your tasks based on desired outcomes. Keep a calendar and a to-do list so you remain focused. Check off accomplishments as you complete them.

  1. Communication

Effective communication requires listening actively and asking questions, responding when asked and sharing relevant information that will benefit others.

  • Even if you don’t feel like a natural communicator, there are skills you can master to ensure you engage your team. These include body language and other non-verbal tactics.

  1. Lifelong Learning

Continuously invest in your professional and personal development. This enhances your credentials and lets you stay on top of trends to build your expertise.

  • Stay current, competitive and up to date. It’s easier than ever before, as technological advances relay information instantaneously to our fingertips.
  • Be willing to expand your mind. Get rid of assumptions so you can be open and receptive to new information.

  1. Integrity

Demonstrate consistency between what you say and what you do. This inspires others to trust you and your ability to lead.

  • Integrity is a choice you make. It means letting your actions speak for who you are and what you believe in. And when you operate from integrity, you gain trust.

  1. Self-Discipline

Self-discipline requires engaging in consistent action, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s all about determination.

  • It’s a habit, a practice, a philosophy and a way of living. Self-discipline involves long, sustained periods of focused effort on a goal – and staying the course until it’s completed. The good news is: it can be learned via continuous practice.

  1. Teamwork

It’s one thing to create a team. It’s another thing altogether to establish teamwork. Teamwork boils down to inspiring others toward shared goals and engaging them to participate in collaboration, building a common sense of purpose.

  • Teamwork enables smoother progress toward targets, prolongs forward momentum, and helps work groups to overcome obstacles. It creates synergy, where the sum is greater than the parts.

Are you a great manager?

Do you want to be? Do you want all your managers to be great? At Frontline Source Group, we specialize in management development and training, as well as staffing and HR consulting for industries including IT, finance, CSR, engineering, healthcare and more. Contact us today so we can help craft the most effective talent management strategy for your organization.