Five managerial soft skills that make employees happier

Keeping quality employees and having them fulfil their work potential is one of the main tasks of a manager. From the HR perspective, the relationship between an employee and their closest supervisor plays a crucial role in terms of the employee's loyalty towards the company, their work performance and above all the likelihood they will seek alternative employment elsewhere. The relationship between employee and manager can be easily improved if the given manager pays just a little attention to their soft skills. Here are five soft skills on the part of a manager that are essential in making employees happy and loyal.

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Ability to listen

According to HR Morning, one surprisingly common problem is that of managers not listening properly to their employees. For workers to feel sufficiently valued, managers must show they are listening to their staff's opinions and that they follow their advice. Every manager should therefore try to listen better to their employees, ask additional questions during talks with them and draw specific conclusions and ideas for changes from their suggestions.

Communication skills

A manager must be able to talk to people. Even the best intentions lose their power if the manager cannot communicate them well. A leader must be able to motivate their employees by words: if they have problems with interpersonal communication or do not pay enough attention to it, this can become a problem in the long run.

Self-confidence

One of the main tasks of a manager is to convey a certain vision to employees and make them feel enthusiastic about it. This is not possible without a certain charisma and above all self-confidence. The manager must incorporate the company's priorities in a self-confident way that will make employees feel they are in good hands and have someone they can rely on in their work.

Ability to discuss unpleasant topics

Many managers focus only on positive topics and dislike talking about negative things. What then often happens is that they allow the problems, doubts and unhappiness of employees to grow. A good manager is able to sit down with workers, talk to them frankly about unpleasant topics without ignoring any doubts or unhappiness.

Setting limits

Similar to a parent who must know how to set certain boundaries for their children, a good manager must be able to say "no". If no firm boundaries are set, employees will not be happier. People work best under specific rules, knowing what is expected of them and what tools they can and cannot use in their work. Clearly defined rules, which apply to everyone, are essential to a healthy relationship between a manager and employees.

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Article source HR Morning - American portal for HR managers
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