10 must have qualities of a manager

July 25, 2025

“I love working with my manager.”

Have you heard this before or read it somewhere at some point?

But what does it mean? What do they do to secure their team’s devotion and diligence?

What separates great managers from average managers?

A good manager plays checkers while a great manager plays chess.

Checkers involve playing with uniform pieces, that are interchangeable, working toward a final goal. Chess involves identifying the unique abilities of each piece and capitalizing on that for a strategic and coordinated outcome.

10 most important qualities of a great manager(and how they connect to employee wellbeing)-

1. They can keep it together

Being in charge can put a lot of pressure on one person. The job requires one to stay calm and reliable in high-pressure environments. Great managers actively support corporate wellness programs to manage stress—not just their own, but also their team’s.

2. Listening > managing

It’s the number one skill for an effective manager. Most people fail to do this. Hence, they lose touch with the team dynamics and miss early signs of burnout. Regular wellness check-ins or sessions make a difference when paired with great listening.

Most employees won’t ask for help:

build a system that offers it first. Explore our wellbeing programs →

3. Learn, unlearn, learn, unlearn, learn, unlearn…

No employee is perfect, and that includes managers. They make mistakes, own them, and learn from them. A strong culture of learning and wellbeing—one that includes mental health support—amplifies this trait.

4. They don’t just lead, they coach too

They guide, but also discover each team member’s strengths and weaknesses and work around them. A great manager builds personalized growth plans and promotes wellness initiatives that support both physical and emotional health.

5. They balance empathy with critical thinking

The heart takes care of emotional considerations like a distressed employee, and the mind focuses on long-term organizational goals. A well-designed employee wellness program helps managers support both with structure and sensitivity.

6. Ace time management skills

A great manager knows when and how to delegate, how to prioritize self-care, and how to encourage their team to do the same. They champion work-life balance through flexible schedules, wellness leaves, and time-off policies.

7. Managers have managers too

A manager will inevitably face challenges they wouldn’t know the solution to. Reaching out to a mentor or participating in manager wellbeing programs means they are committed to growth—not just for the team, but also themselves.

8. Honest, strong and clear-cut feedback

A great manager gives direct feedback and does not sugarcoat. They create psychologically safe spaces by embedding emotional wellbeing practices into performance and feedback cycles.

9. Eyes on the prize, always

They keep the ultimate goal in sight and bring a positive approach even during conflict. This includes nurturing a resilient team through wellness-driven leadership strategies that focus on both productivity and mental clarity.

10. Keep it fun and creative

Culture building goes a long way. Great managers build safe and fun environments through team wellness activities, creative breaks, offsite, and mental recharge sessions. They stay authentic and open to new ways of working—and being.

A great manager can have the greatest impact on a company’s overall culture and success. And with the right wellness programs in place, that impact only gets stronger.