What Great Managers Do?

You've spent months coaching that employee to treat customers better, work more independently or get organized... How to make better use of your precious time? Do what great manager do: Instead of trying to change your employees, identify their unique abilities (and even their eccentricities), then help them use those qualities to excel in their own way.

* Continuously tweak role to capitalize on individual strengths.
* Pull the triggers that activate emloyees' strengths.
* Tailor coaching to unique learning styles.

Buckingham, Marcus. 2009, "What great manager do", HBR, The essential guide to leadership p. 103