The modern working world presents managers with complex challenges. Leading other managers in particular requires special skills and approaches. Here are seven practical tips on how managers can act effectively and at eye level.

What is different about the leadership of managers?
While basic management principles remain the same, there are specific differences when it comes to managing executives:
Greater impact: Managers act as multipliers, which increases the impact of their work.
Questioning tasks: Higher hierarchy levels scrutinize tasks more closely and demand convincing leadership.
Stronger role model function: Managers are closely monitored, which makes the role model function particularly important.

7 tips for practice

1. act as primus inter pares
Work at eye level and avoid an authoritarian management style in order to promote the development of your managers.

2. define clear areas of responsibility
Separate areas of competence and responsibility clearly to enable independent action.

3. leave room for maneuver
Keep a low profile in operational activities to give your managers room to make their own decisions and strengthen their motivation.

4. give confidence
Trust your managers so that they are also accepted as such by their teams and can develop their own management style.

5. provide sufficient resources
Ensure that your managers have sufficient staff, budget and hardware to perform their tasks effectively.

6. cultivate a healthy error culture
Accept mistakes as part of the learning process and create an environment in which managers can grow.

7. share your visions
Convince your managers of your ideas and visions so that they can pass them on to their teams and implement them.
Demonstrate on a daily basis how you lead and deal with different stakeholders, and regular feedback rounds allow you to respond to criticism and use creative input.

Leaders who guide other leaders need:

• Entrepreneurial thinking
• Creativity in problem solving
• Willingness to take responsibility

Self-leadership and exemplifying high leadership standards are crucial to developing a strong and effective team of leaders.