Managers Can’t Be Great Coaches All by Themselves →

There Are 4 Types of Managers. One Is More Effective Than the Others

For managers and subordinates, the research should redirect attention from the frequency of developmental conversations to the quality of interactions and the route taken to help employees gain skills. Says Roca: “The big takeaway is that when it comes to coaching employees, being a Connector is how you win.”

So what's a "Connector?"

Connector Managers give targeted feedback in their areas of expertise; otherwise, they connect employees with others on the team or elsewhere in the organization who are better suited to the task. They spend more time than the other three types assessing the skills, needs, and interests of their employees, and they recognize that many skills are best taught by people other than themselves.

All of that’s consistent with the management skills training I’ve been exposed to this year. Frequent, deeper 1on1s with Direct Reports FTW! We can – and do – have regular tactical or task-oriented 1on1s, and that’s good. But are we coaching, offering criticism and guidance, and discussing development? Are we mentoring and connecting?