What are the characteristics of the best manager you ever had?

The best manager I have ever had is currently my manager who makes me feel supported, listened to and trusted. They are approachable and genuinely care about my development, rather than simply focusing on whether I have completed my tasks.

One of their biggest strengths is their ability to listen. I never felt like I was being judged when I raised a concern or asked for help. They give me the space to explain myself.

They also recognised my potential and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. They gave me opportunities to develop, trusted me with responsibility and made me feel that they believed in my abilities.

These are qualities I take into my own management style. Having now been a manager for the past nine months, I have realised how important it is to balance being supportive and understanding with being a strong leader.

What are the characteristics of the worst manager you ever had?

The worst manager I have experienced was someone who focused heavily on tasks and outcomes but not enough on the people behind them. Communication was often unclear, and there wasn't much opportunity to ask questions, share ideas or discuss development.

I think one of the biggest issues was a lack of active listening. When employees don't feel heard or understood, it can quickly affect their confidence and motivation.

This experience taught me what not to do as a manager. I don't want the people I manage to feel that I am simply there to delegate tasks or monitor their performance. I want them to feel that I am there to support, coach and challenge them to grow.

After nine months in management, I genuinely love being a manager. I particularly enjoy coaching people and helping them become the best version of themselves. This training has made me reflect on the kind of manager I want to be: someone who listens, understands, inspires, develops and empowers people; not just someone who manages their workload.