To think you have to have certain type of personality to manage people?

[Hulahoops30]

I would honestly hate to manage people, is that a bad thing?

No. I always thought I'd like to be a manager, it's what most people do in my work to progress. I was seconded for 6 months a few years back and it's put me off for life. I hated every second of it.

It depends on your team and your industry.

I work in IT, an industry known for its preponderance of ND individuals, so I have 'my' tribe and I'm a good manager to them, as I am ND.

I also became a manager relatively late in life, so have worked through every stage from dev onwards and have experienced almost every level of those I now manage.

I'm not sure if I'd be so good in other industries, though.

I tried it once, briefly, many years ago and it was not a success for anyone concerned. As I've learned more about how I am, I've understood why this was: my personality is basically the opposite of what makes a successful competent manager.

@Hulahoops30 So what type of personality would that be then?

Like everything else in the world some people have natural talent, but can be trained. So YABU.
To ENJOY, and be an EXCELLENT manager? Yes, certain type of person.

The vast majority of managers can just about get by following guidelines and not messing up. To really get the best out of people is something else altogether.

Yes am also curious what type of personality does it take to be a good manager? Someone who is sensible, follows company rules, good listener. Someone who does not mind what others think of them. A lot of people go on about good leadership skills. No idea what they are either.

I think I would hate the confrontation, the extra hours, endless spreadsheets, presentations.

No, not really. I think you can be a good manager using learned skills and application of knowledge without bringing personality into it.
If you manage via your personality, it can be a bit hit and miss, dependent on the personalities you manage, as people look for different traits in managers. For every one who wants support and empathy, there's someone else who wants firm and impersonal. So perhaps the best personality trait you can have is the ability to read people and be adaptable.

I also think peoples feelings would play on my mind a bit too much, I’m too soft I think.

Not bad at all. When I managed a team I just about got by but absolutely loathed it, but I do very well when working alone!

I hated managing a team. I had zero support from my boss at the time though which really didn’t help.

YANBU. I have a wonderful manager who truly cares and listens and still while managing us we have smashed all targets yet I feel less pressured. I’ve had bosses previously who have applied for the job as it was the next “natural” step, they had good ideas and were a good colleague but they ended up being a bad people manager. They didn’t listen well and you always knew when they were in a bad mood and it honestly started to get toxic. So grateful for my manager now

This too. Without management support you may as well give up.

You can learn it but it definitely doesn't come naturally to some.

I'm worried I'm too soft. I had to have a difficult conversation with a staff member today. Then he told me he'd had to have his dog put down. Difficult conversation didn't happen.

I was a manager years ago, I was good at it but didn't particularly enjoy it. The people I managed were all different ages, new starters to people that had been there longer than me. Some where very difficult to manage, doing their performance plans etc was tedious.

Now, I am only too happy for someone else to do the managing and the taking work home/worrying about it because I'm over it. But if my manager wants my help then that's fine.

I've had the same personality throughout.

I enjoy working hard, manage stress well, I'm a good team player and I'll happily play a secondary manager type role in a team. However, I have no desire to have sole responsibility for the productivity of a team. I find it frustrating when people can't use simple logic, are lazy or lack enthusiasm.

I prefer having a niche skillset in the team that means I am respected and trusted. I think this is often the only other way that someone can progress in a business.

Maybe you are more likely to enjoy managing if you are mediocre manager as then you won't try so much to fix problems etc and won't get frustrated. Also maybe better if you are more extrovert as then will more enjoy sociable/getting to know people aspect

I've been a manager for about 28 years. For me good leadership is about recognising the talents in a team and orchestrating them to get the best results. Sharing goals and making sure everyone knows what we are trying to achieve.

I hoped I'd be a good manager because I have an employment law background and I really care. In my most recent role I found it completely miserable - loved the people I managed, enjoyed the management but was in constant conflict with the chair of the board because... I have an employment law background and really care.

What sounds great to me these days is a job where I get paid to use my brain and qualifications, ideally by the hour!

As long as you still have the talk later I think that is being a first class manager

I wish more people were like you

Also bear in mind that a manager can only do so much without capable colleagues + company policy.

I think I’m a good manager because I care about the individuals I manage and understand we all have strengths and weaknesses. I have managed a range of teams in my career and have thoroughly enjoyed it. have high standards and lead by example but don’t expect anyone to achieve the highest standards without coaching and mentoring. I really value the people I line manage and praise them publicly as often as I can.
I am not the best at everything in my team, and am happy to acknowledge this, but I think I recognise who is the best at each strand and channel their expertise appropriately.
If people don’t meet the standards required for a job it’s either because they can’t( therefore need support and guidance) or won’t ( therefore need to move on).

No, you did right. Unless it was time sensitive I wouldn't have either. They'd not be in the best frame of mind to hear it objectively and it'll keep.

Definitely. I'm a manager, a good one according to my 360 feedback and I love it. It's where my skillset is best suited I think. I don't have an instantly likeable personality but I think that helps a bit - I'm fair, friendly, approachable and even tempered but I don't have issues with boundary crossing and over familiarity.