Being a manager doesn’t just make sure you meet task assignments and deadlines. It also motivates and inspires team members. It’s about shaping the culture your team experiences every day.
“People rarely leave companies. They quit managers who see them as humans and don’t support them,” says Jonathan Javier, career consultant and CEO at Wonsulting.
In today’s workplaces with high burnout and low loyalty, employees don’t want only talented managers. They also want a friendly and supportive manager. They want leaders who listen, support and inspire. Research backs up this: 2021 research Frontiers of psychology We found that interpersonal skills such as conflict management and emotional support improve employee attitudes and performance.
So, how do you become the kind of leader that people want to work for? There are five ways to get started.
What makes a great leader?
The best bosses invest in people. They listen, communicate clearly, take accountability, and lead with courage and humility. It is these so-called soft skills that make you a strong boss.
1. Listen more than you say
A good manager doesn’t have all the answers. They ask the right questions. Your job is not to solve all problems, but to create spaces for your team to share ideas, obstacles and solutions.
“Great leaders will listen actively, understand people’s challenges and create space for honest conversations,” says Javier.
To do this, prioritize regular one-on-one meetings and dig deeper with open-ended questions. What is working? Where are you stuck? How can I help? Repeat what you hear and ask for thoughtful follow-ups. Listening is one of the most powerful tools a leader has.
2. Always check your understanding
Great bosses don’t just talk, they make sure the message lands. Clear communication helps your team to be consistent, focused and confident with their goals.
“You’ll be clear about your priorities and ask team members to summarise the tasks in their own words,” Javier says. “This is especially important for fast moving startups.”
Don’t overlook nonverbal clues. A Harvard Business School survey suggests that between 65% and 93% of communications are nonverbal. If you provide feedback without eye contact with your arms crossed, your team may feel rejected or defensive, even if your words are cooperative. Your body language needs to strengthen clarity and respect.
3. Own your mistakes and fix them quickly
Great bosses are not perfect, they are accountable. The weak leader holds responsibility, while the outstanding ones take responsibility – and take action.
“Instead of dealing with the problem directly, we “fail quickly” and quickly acknowledge our mistakes,” Javier says. “Then I’ll share what you’re doing to fix them.”
If a major project deadline is wrong, let’s say the delays affect the entire team. Be transparent about mistakes, acknowledge your role and provide support to help your team recover. This type of accountability promotes trust and sets the tone of a workplace culture where integrity and improvement are mutually enhanced.
4. Create space for risk and create reward initiatives
Great leaders don’t just talk about courage. They show it through bold decisions, honest feedback and principled actions. By creating such an environment, employees are willing to take on the calculated risk.
Innovation isn’t about playing safely. A study from Embry-Riddle University found that “intelligent risk,” where potential rewards outweigh potential harms, is closely linked to the financial success of a company. By encouraging calculated risks, it opens the door to new ideas, smarter processes and better outcomes.
“We celebrate when people take ownership,” Javier adds. “Use these moments as learning opportunities even if you’re lacking in results.”
5. Request feedback from the team regularly
A good manager doesn’t just give feedback, he wants it. Checking in regularly with your team shows humility, promotes trust and promotes growth.
Please ask, “What can you do better?” This simple question will open the door to an honest conversation about your leadership style.
We may collect feedback during quarterly reviews, informal one-on-one, or simple slack exchanges. The key is to listen with curiosity rather than defensiveness and follow up on your actions.
“A great leader will embrace feedback and create space for others to shine,” says Javier. The more you model that way of thinking, the more prosperous your team will.
Good leadership drives real outcomes
Strong leadership not only boosts morale, but drives outcomes. Empathic managers can help you reduce turnover, increase engagement and build a team you want to stick to. Research published in 2023 Helion Toxic leadership was found to directly contribute to employee dissatisfaction and high resignation rates.
If you want to be like a manager employee respect and rally, then embody these five actions and guide them like someone worth following.
What is USA Today Top Workplaces 2025?
If you are looking for work with a great manager, we can help. Each year, USA Today Top Workplaces is a collaboration between Energage and USA Today, ranking US organizations that excel at creating positive work environments for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winner.
In 2025, over 1,500 companies were recognized as the best workplaces. Check out our overall rankings. You can also get more insight into workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.
