Emerging Professionals

 View Only

  • 1.  What's the difference in a "good" manager/leader and a "great" one?

    Posted 05-22-2026 11:12 AM

    Everyone has different styles as they move into leadership and management roles. Some are more hands-on, some are more trusting and empowering, and some simply care that the work gets done well.

    As we move into a world where younger and newer staff are being asked to handle more complex responsibilities and make decisions that require critical thinking, what have you learned that helped you go from being a "good" manager/leader to a "great" one?

    Also, where have you personally fallen short of becoming the manager or leader you want to be?

    For me, when I first started managing people, I struggled with trust. I didn't necessarily micromanage, but I also didn't fully trust that others knew what they were doing. As I continued to lead and manage people, I realized that if I took the time to teach, explain, and invest in them, I could trust them more fully.

    I also learned to listen not just to the question being asked, but to why the question was being asked. Sometimes people brought up perspectives or concerns I had never considered, and in many ways, that made me better at my job and a better leader.



    ------------------------------
    Steven Eilders
    Ridgeland MS
    +001 601-326-7125
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: What's the difference in a "good" manager/leader and a "great" one?

    Posted 05-22-2026 11:31 AM
    I see where you’re coming from about the “trust” aspect. My devils advocate question would be: if you don’t trust the associate, then is it really reflective of the hiring team/partners bringing in unqualified talent? In that case, the distrust may need to be placed on others. However, if trust is placed in those who are hiring the associates, then TRUST that they are giving you a capable, competent, and skilled employee.



    I agree 100% that trust is built through continuous investment and relationship building. For me, a good manager always looked like someone not being too prideful to flex down and get their hands dirty.



    One thing that I have found across all great managers is that they are constantly providing effective feedback. This entails digging a little deeper into each associates’ strengths/weaknesses and providing tailored solutions to allow them to grow.

    ---------------------------------
    Lukas Bell


    Daniel Island SC
    +001 (802)384-4862
    ---------------------------------





  • 3.  RE: What's the difference in a "good" manager/leader and a "great" one?

    Posted 06-05-2026 01:02 PM
    For me, the shift has been learning to be really clear upfront, taking the time to make sure they understand off the bat, then getting out of the way and trusting the team to run with it. I used to focus more on the work during the process, but I've realized developing people is what really drives results long-term. Where I still fall short sometimes is knowing when to step in versus letting someone work through something on their own-that is really hard to gauge.
    I've also had to remind myself to slow down and really listen, because there's usually more behind the question than it seems. Explaining big picture or the "why" behind tasks is really important for these types of convos. 


    ------------------------------
    Kendall Gonzales
    Staff
    University of Wyoming Foundation
    Laramie WY
    +13077607522
    ------------------------------