The top 20 qualities and skills of a good manager (according to employees)

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HR software provider Ciphr polled 1,000 UK workers to find out which skills and attributes are the most important in a good manager.

Ciphr’s research revealed that over two-thirds of people value trustworthiness, respectfulness and fairness in their managers.

Honesty, positivity, and reliability were cited as the next most important qualities for good managers.

A good manager, according to employees, is also someone who is friendly, compassionate and supportive, leads by example, an effective communicator, a collaborative team player, organised, open to feedback, and an empathic listener. Showing recognition and appreciation of others is also high up the list of must-have managerial qualities.

The most important traits of a good manager, according to different age groups

The most important qualities of a good manager – by organisational role

Notes

Ciphr conducted an online survey (in June 2023) of 1,000 UK adults working at organisations with at least 26 employees. It featured a range of questions on various employment topics. The survey is unweighted, and as such is only a snapshot of the working age population.

Nearly half (48%) of survey respondents are employed by organisations with 1,001+ employees, a fifth (21%) have 251 to 1,000 employees, and nearly a third (31%) have 26 to 250 employees.

Questions asked in the survey included: In your opinion, what are the top must-have qualities / skills of a good manager (an 'other' option was provided among the randomised list of available answers).