What Do Employees Want From Managers?

"Just about the only management book written from the perspective of the employee is Dilbert" commented Julian Birkinshaw, head of MLab at the London Business School, at their excellent event on Employee Engagement last Friday.

Its a good point and poses the obvious question: What would an organisation be like to work for if management was based on what front-line staff wanted, to enable them to do a great job. Here's some thoughts:

• A manager who is more of a coach than somebody who tells you what to do
• Managers role seen as focusing on making people feel valued and motivated, happy and satisfied with their work
• Believe the best: the first assumption - whatever difficulties arise - that people are trying to do their best, given their circumstances
• Managers chosen for their people skills - because they are good at supporting and challenging - not for technical skills
• Able to change manager if its not working out and you'd like a different one
• No blame culture, where mistakes are celebrated
• Open and transparent - all information is shared so there are no secrets
• Flexible hours - that suit the way you want to work
• Clear guidelines on what is needed, but then freedom to achieve the results your way, and trusted to do so
• Involved and informed about the things which affect you.
• Fairly paid, and know what need to do to get a rise
• Clear feedback, in a positive way, about how you are doing

I admit this is rather similar to the Happy management philosophy but I have always called it "management as if people mattered". Do let me know what you think? What other elements would you add?