What are the four manager types? Why are they important? and how do they impact your team’s performance?
If you lead and advise your teams based on your own expertise and strong track record as an individual contributor you might be destroying value for the team.
In a recent study, Gartner identified four distinct manager types and analyzed their impact on sustainable performance:
Sustainable Performance = Employee Performance + Employee Health
Sustainable performers are 17% more productive and 1.7X more likely to stay at their companies.
The Connector manager type appeared to be most effective in driving sustainable performance.
Connector managers improved employee performance by 26% and tripled the likelihood that their direct reports were high performers.
So, what are the 4 manager styles and their impact?
(1) Manager Style #1: The Connector Manager
– Creates a positive team environment
– Focuses on building quality relationships
– Helps employees develop network
45% boost on sustainable performance
(2) Manager Style #2: The Cheerleader Manager
– Motivates people to shape own development
– Gives positive feedback, avoids criticism
– Doesn’t obsess over details
Marginal boost (due to positive empowerment) on sustainable performance
(3) Manager Style #3: The Always-On Manager
– Provides frequent or ‘in-the-moment’ feedback / coaching
– Directs employee development
No impact on sustainable performance
(4) Manager Style #4: The Teacher Manager
– Provides advice based on their own expertise strong track record as individual contributor
– Directs employee development
Negative impact on sustainable performance
Connector managers closely monitor their team’s health and cohesion. They also build a foundation of psychological safety that fosters trust, so that employees are invested in one another’s well-being and success, not just their own.
Teamraderie experiences can help your managers become better Connectors. Experiences are designed to cultivate a positive team environment and build social ties among team members.
