Importance of great managers. Thanks to a great manager.

Hello dear people,

Been so long! A month passed already since we last got in touch.

The least we could say is it's been a very unexpected month for everyone around the world.
I wish every single one of you to be safe and to be taking proper care and precautions..
I hope for as many of you to have been able to take advantage of the confinement and to have been able to turn it into an opportunity.

Enough about confinement for now. Although I really have a lot to talk about on that matter. I need to share for example my experience of working from home; as I've been seeing lots of colleagues and friends who are actually struggling with it and who aren't necessarily doing it right.

Anyway, reason why I need to completely change subjects is, my line manager at work.
He gave me a deadline till Monday to write a blog post about great managers (him obviously).

My manager's slack profile picture. Well it stands out.

No, definitely not. I'm joking!
Of course he didn't put any deadline. Of course he didn't ask me to write anything about great managers.
The reality is, I simply had this topic in my notes for months already.
Why did I feel the need of writing about it now? It happens I just recently passed my probation at work and felt now would be the best timing to say thank you and show how grateful I am.

Pete Hayes is and has been a great manager from day 1.
Let me tell you why and let me tell you why it's that important to have a great manager at work.

Pete is very busy, and probably a bit overwhelmed (a bit frustrated at times?) by the amount of things that can go wrong in projects/teams and that he has to constantly fix.. Just trying to give an explanation to the look on our friend's face up there ☝
That's also based on my observations; seeing how he never stops running around, trying to help everyone.

So he's very busy.
But great managers, will still always manage to find time for you; however busy they are.
Finding time for your people doesn't necessarily mean you have to block long and long hours..
It could just be a 30 mins catch up. But 30 minutes that make it obvious that you're properly dedicated and willing to be there listening "for real".
Need not to say, I'm very lucky on that side.

Another great characteristic of great managers or great leaders, is their ability of getting the best out of every single one of their people. It's the ability of seeing each person's strengths and weaknesses. Giving people every tool possible for them to use their strengths and hone their skills; allowing them at the same time opportunities to improve on their weaknesses, when needed.

Great leaders listen to their people. They listen to what their soldiers need. They sometimes even listen, when nothing has even been said.

Great leaders give guidance. They give great advice. But they never force you into things.
I have been given for example really valuable advice as to what projects I should be working on; tailored advice that obviously showed my own benefit was being put first. I've been given advice and support that aligned with my very own career goals and aspirations.

Basically put your people first, they will put your company first. 
Just take time to understand them. Make them feel they're not just another "resource".

There is still so much more to great leaders and more to being a great leader. I will leave the rest of it for another article. I will be writing and dedicating a blog post to "Being a leader. What is a servant leader?".

Now I would like to conclude by thanking Pete; Not the manager, but the friend.
Pete, thank you for everything. Thank you for being a great friend.
I look forward to having another, maybe last, burger and beer at our usual pub. When things get better.

Guys, for anyone reading this, if you don't have a great manager at work.
First find a great burger place, then look for that 1 exceptional person who will make it easy for you to wake up in the morning and go to work.

It's awesome to have great friends; even better when they're with you at work.

Note 1: for anyone looking for jobs, look for great managers before looking for great companies.
Note 2: One way of doing that? When asked if you have any questions during interviews, ask about management... I've been doing it for years now, and I know for example I will always try avoiding the micro-managers.
Note 3: Makes me think, I should write about "spotting red flags in your potential employer"

And for all of you out there, stay strong and stay safe in these unusual times.
Take care of yourselves and of others..

And as always, until next time!
✌