What Makes Great Managers, Great Managers

In my three years of work experience at a couple of “Early-Stage Startups” (although it feels more like a roller-coaster ride!), I have been quite fortunate to work with a couple of amazing “b̵o̵s̵s̵e̵s̵”, “m̵a̵n̵a̵g̵e̵r̵s̵”, “friends.”

In my first ever full-time job at Squad, Saswata Shankar De was my reporting manager. Quite lucky to be the first employee in his team. Right on Day-1, he gave me one of the most important “gyaans” of my life which goes something like this: “Mrigansh! You can make a million mistakes, but never repeat them!.” The incidence still leads my list of “Little things that can transform your life” moments.

Saswata did a wonderful job in channelizing my energy and enthusiasm and turned me into a “valuable” resource.

Around a year ago, I joined another startup,O4S, where my reporting manager is Saurav Sood. (Again, I was the first employee to join his team.)

Saurav is quite unique in his ways. He knows how to bring out the best out in you, in the most “subtle” ways. Moreover, I have not met a more “authentic” person in my life.

While both of them are very different as individuals, there are some striking similarities when it comes to their leadership.

Here are some of the pointers which really make me adore them as “Leaders:”

1: You can be “Radically Honest” with them

Great leaders practice what they term as “Default to Transparency.” Open and honest communication is one of the most effective tools to strengthen one’s intent. Great managers are honest and give you that space where you can share anything and everything. This, in turn, gives you an assurance that you really “belong.”

This imbibes the kind of confidence which can do a world of good to people.

2: Their doors are ALWAYS open (Both literally and figuratively!)

I have never been a fan of the traditional persona of a “Great Leader” who is all tough and someone to be “feared.” The alternative way in which a leader is completely approachable, empathetic and understanding makes more sense from my perspective.

I have always worked in a very “accomodating” environment where there are no “dumb questions,” an environment where there is room for creativity and mistakes are treated as a “learning curve”.

3: They respect you for who you are

Great leaders are quite non-judgemental, respect individualism and have the “superpower” to look beyond their own preconceived biases.

They understand the fact that people are on their best when you let them be who they really are. They push you to be a better version of yourself rather than forcing you to go against the set of values essential to you.

4: They Give “Actionable Feedback”

When it comes to discussing areas of improvement, they will leave no “grey” areas. They will communicate it efficiently, where you are slacking, backed up with numerous examples. Not only this, they will always give their absolute best in discussing how these shortcomings can be improved.

Great leaders invest themselves quite a lot in people, and it really makes them happy when they see their protégés succeed.

5: They are “Cool” People

“There is no place for temper at the workplace:” Great leaders are quite wary of this fact. This becomes even more relevant if you are a person who always craves for harmony.

Anger in a workplace can transform the environment where people prefer to “play it safe” rather than “play to win”.

6: They will let you decide your own path

Great leaders are not “dictators,” but “facilitators” from the core.

A high degree of freedom while solving problems is far more fulfilling than working on a predefined path. Great leaders will encourage you to figure out your own path, while always being there to have your back when needed, and they act as what I’d call “Roadblock-removers”.

Great leaders let people be “Managers of 1”, rather than micro-managing them.

7: They will never fill you with a lot of praises

As counter-intuitive as it might sound, but great leaders are very “frugal” when it comes to appreciation. That is because they always want you to keep pushing your limits and never be really satisfied with your achievements.

This helps you understand and appreciate the fact that “excellence” is a function of a “solid process” rather than a “one-off’ thing.

8: They have the utmost respect for your personal life

This becomes even more important in a start-up where the general norm that is followed is of “Work-Life Integration” rather than Work-Life Balance.

Great leaders are quick to realize the fact that people with the right intent will need their personal space when required, to manage both aspects of their lives. Great leaders will have complete faith in their “followers” to be wise when it comes to prioritizing between the two dimensions of their lives.

In the end, I would just like to say that leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the future of both the employees and the organisation. It is imperative to have the “right” people for such roles.