We work with thousands of managers and leaders in a wider variety of industries, so we’ve become pretty experienced in spotting the things that great managers do. Our expert trainers shape and deliver courses that drive leadership and management performance, not just in the training room but in businesses across the UK. However, a Chartered Management Institute report found that four out of five UK managers moved into their role with no formal management or leadership training. Here at The Hub Events, we pride ourselves on a fantastic range of management and leadership courses, with specialist programmes designed for first-time managers. Each one is built to instil the effective habits and crucial skills you need to be a great manager.
So, what are the five things that all great managers do, and how can you incorporate them into your management role? Here, we look at what makes good managers great leaders.
1. They build trust with integrity.
Worryingly, CIPD stats show that fewer than half of UK employees believe their manager is acting with integrity. This means that the leaders people can trust are the ones who stand out from the crowd. But how can you demonstrate an honest and fair approach to your team?
Courses like Courageous Conversations help managers to outline clear expectations. Having frank, open dialogue with your people keeps them in the loop and builds trust and respect in the relationship. They also help new managers deal with issues in their teams with confidence, making sure things stay fair, open and honest at all times.
2. They support, but they don’t micromanage.
Nobody likes feeling like they’re being watched and judged all the time, but being available for timely support and guidance without overwhelming your team is a difficult balance to strike. According to a global UKG study, people with a supportive yet not overbearing manager feel more productive at work.
Our new course, Mastering Accountability- a clear and positive approach to drive productivity and performance, has been designed to help you build the skills to empower your people, giving teams agency and autonomy. It will help create a working environment where objectives are crystal clear to all, and accountability is owned, not enforced.
3. They give their team a voice (and listen to it).
The CIPD 2025 Good Work Index shows that effective employee-to-leader communication is one of the least developed behaviours in the UK. Leaders who listen get more out of their teams. It’s about creating an environment where people can speak up and share ideas with confidence.
Our Personal Impact and Effectiveness course range can help your people influence without authority. Help even the most introverted team members find a voice in ways that feel comfortable to them, and build your team’s resilience, confidence, and assertiveness. All essential soft skills for an effective team with great communication.
4. They develop their people.
One that strikes a particular chord with us, of course. Helping your people learn and grow has long-term benefits for the manager, the organisation and the employee. Harvard Business Review research shows that matching your people to roles where they can thrive yields the highest rewards.
It’s a subject close to our hearts here, which is why we’ve shared a number of blogs, case studies and articles on the topic, including insights on employee retention strategy, how to get the most out of your training, and how in-house training can have a huge impact on your team’s performance. Check them out.
5. They deal with conflict confidently.
In an ideal world, disagreements would never boil over into conflict, but they do, and you need to be able to manage them. Good leaders deal with issues before they get out of control. ACAS report that poor management of conflict costs UK businesses over £30 billion each year. Almost two-thirds of workers’ mental health suffers as a result of their manager’s behaviour.
Shying away from conflict isn’t an option for great leaders. Dealing with Difficult People and Challenging Behaviour at Work is one of our more popular courses, helping managers and employees navigate some of the most challenging situations in the workplace with confidence.
Our management and leadership courses are here to help both new and experienced managers develop new skills and hone their leadership style. And we’re continuously improving our suite of leadership and management training, adding highly practical, impactful courses to our roster. If you’re looking to develop your leadership team, we’d love to chat with you about how we can help. Speak to us today to find your perfect course, or discuss options for in-house training, where we can build a course tailored to the challenges your managers are facing.
