What Makes a GREAT Manager? (it’s not what you think)

Summary

This video explores the qualities of great managers, drawing insights from Julie Zhou, former VP at Facebook. It debunks the idea that great managers are born, arguing instead that they are made through developing specific skills and behaviors. The summary focuses on three key qualities: building trust, giving great feedback, and running amazing meetings, while also briefly touching upon other important attributes.

Highlights

Are Great Managers Born or Made?00:00:00

The video starts by posing a question to determine managerial potential: do you get more satisfaction from the outcome or your role in achieving it? It uses a sales team analogy to illustrate the difference. Julie Zhuo, former VP at Facebook, argues that great managers are 'made, not born,' and shares three universal qualities they possess.

Quality 1: Great Managers Build Trust00:01:06

Building trust is crucial for a productive team. Great managers achieve this by: (1) showing vulnerability, recognizing they don’t have all the answers; (2) giving specific recognition, advice, and feedback that demonstrates attention and effort; and (3) preparing for one-on-ones with relevant questions, prioritizing their team members' development.

Quality 2: Great Managers Give Great Feedback00:03:03

Effective feedback inspires behavioral change. Managers excel in this by: (1) setting clear expectations with ideal outcomes and timelines; (2) providing specific feedback that drives action, avoiding ambiguity; and (3) collecting 360-degree feedback for objectivity, which makes critical feedback less threatening.

Quality 3: Great Managers Run Amazing Meetings00:04:54

Every meeting should have a clear outcome. There are five types of meetings that warrant an in-person gathering: (1) decision-making meetings, where the decision-maker and affected parties are present; (2) information-sharing meetings, kept concise and engaging; (3) feedback meetings for projects or plans, focusing on specific changes and next steps; (4) idea generation meetings, where brainstorming is done individually beforehand and discussed collaboratively; and (5) relationship-strengthening social events, which are as important as formal business meetings.

Additional Qualities of Great Managers00:06:05

The video briefly touches on other qualities: great managers battle imposter syndrome, hire well by valuing vocal supporters, prioritize perfect execution over perfect strategy, delegate effectively by explaining purpose, and 'walk the walk' by aligning their actions with their words to maintain respect and authority.