Opening
Managers play a critical role in any organization. They are responsible for leading teams, managing projects, and driving results. A good manager can boost productivity, morale, and success. On the other hand, a poor manager can cause dysfunction, frustration, and failure. That is why it is so important for organizations to have strong managers in leadership roles.
One way to identify and promote effective managers is through endorsements. Endorsements on networking sites like LinkedIn provide a way for colleagues, direct reports, and others who have worked with a manager to recognize their skills and accomplishments. When considering an endorsement, you should reflect carefully on the manager’s qualities and abilities to lead. Here are some key questions to ask:
What are the manager’s strengths?
Think about the specific skills and attributes that make the manager excel in their role. What do they do especially well? For example, do they:
– Communicate vision and strategy clearly
– Motivate and inspire their team
– Support employee growth and development
– Resolve conflicts diplomatically
– Balance multiple priorities and projects
– Make thoughtful, data-driven decisions
– Collaborate cross-functionally to achieve goals
Focusing on precise strengths highlights what sets the manager apart. The more detailed your endorsement, the more meaningful it will be.
How does the manager lead?
Consider the manager’s leadership style and approach to managing people. How would you characterize their way of directing reports and guiding the team? For instance:
– Do they lead by example?
– Are they hands-on or hands-off?
– Do they coach teammates to improve skills?
– Do they encourage new ideas and innovation?
– Do they empower employees with autonomy?
– Do they create an inclusive work environment?
Describing the manager’s leadership style provides helpful context for your endorsement.
What examples demonstrate the manager’s impact?
Include specific examples that illustrate the manager’s positive influence on the organization, their department, and their direct reports. For example:
– Did they lead a successful project or initiative from start to finish?
– Did they turn around an underperforming team?
– Did they resolve a longstanding issue or conflict?
– Did they spearhead changes that boosted productivity?
– Did they oversee major growth or improvements?
Real-world examples make your endorsement more credible and convincing.
Why do you recommend the manager?
Spell out exactly why you endorse this manager and recommend them. Explain why they deserve recognition for their management excellence. For instance:
– Do they exemplify the company values?
– Do they foster an excellent culture?
– Do they go above and beyond for their team?
– Would you want to work for them again?
– Do they exhibit the qualities of an ideal manager?
Stating clearly why you endorse the manager gives extra weight to your recommendation.
How to Write an Impactful Endorsement
Once you’ve reflected on the manager’s qualities, skills, and impact, it’s time to write your endorsement. Here are some tips for making your endorsement as meaningful as possible:
Be specific
Avoid vague, generic praise that could apply to anyone. Use detailed, concrete examples of the manager’s accomplishments. This shows you have direct, in-depth experience working with this leader.
Use numbers
Quantify the manager’s impact with stats and data whenever possible. For example, note percentage gains in productivity, revenue, engagement scores, etc. under their leadership. Metrics make the endorsement more persuasive.
Describe patterns
Highlight consistent behaviors that characterize the manager’s approach. Note if they reliably exhibit certain positive traits or leadership practices. Patterns demonstrate these are enduring strengths, not one-time occurrences.
Spotlight strengths
While it’s fine to acknowledge development areas, the focus should be on calling out strengths. What does the manager do extremely well, and what unique value do they bring? Keep the endorsement positively framed.
Align with company values
Connect the manager’s behavior and impact with company values and desired leadership competencies. This shows the endorsement is aligned with the organization’s needs and priorities.
Check for bias
Review the endorsement carefully for unintended bias, conscious or unconscious. Focus exclusively on the manager’s merit without regard for gender, ethnicity, age, or other non-performance factors.
Make it authentic
Write the endorsement in your own voice. Use natural-sounding language that reflects how you truly feel about the manager’s excellence. Sincerity matters more than flowery words.
Proofread
Before submitting your endorsement, check carefully for any errors or typos that could undercut your professionalism or credibility. You want the quality of the writing to match the positivity of the message.
Sample Manager Endorsement
Here is an example endorsement summarizing the tips covered above. You can use it as a template, substituting in details for the manager you want to recognize:
I highly recommend [Manager Name] as an exceptional leader based on working with them for [X years/months] in [their department].
[Manager Name] excels at clearly communicating vision and priorities to the team. They led us through a major 18-month digital transformation initiative, breaking down each milestone and goal so everyone understood their role. Productivity increased by 35% during this project.
[Manager Name] consistently drives results by supporting employee growth. They coached me to expand my skillset which led to a promotion, and they require all direct reports set quarterly development goals. Under their leadership our retention rate rose by 15%.
No matter how busy things get, [Manager Name] keeps their door open to help team members. They listen first, then thoughtfully resolve issues. I’ve watched them calmly handle client crises and conflicts between peers, always finding solutions. After one tense situation, they brought in training on diversity and inclusion for our group.
I recommend [Manager Name] for their strategic mindset, their mentorship, and their ability to get the best from every employee. They make our team feel valued through their transparency, integrity, and genuine care for people. I would gladly work for [Manager Name] again in any context, and I believe they exemplify what a manager should be. Their leadership elevates teams, projects, and the entire organization. I enthusiastically endorse them.
Additional Manager Endorsement Examples
Here are a few more endorsement examples for outstanding managers:
“[Manager Name] leads by empowering others. They provide context, then trust team members to make autonomous decisions. Since they took over our group, productivity rose 22% last year. [Manager Name] inspires innovation.”
“I endorse [Manager Name] for their ability to resolve conflict. When tensions arose between departments, they brought both sides together, identified shared goals, and facilitated compromises. They consistently build bridges, not silos.”
“As a director, [Manager Name] models servant leadership. They rolled up their sleeves during our expansion and put in extra hours doing grunt work, showing their commitment. Morale and dedication increased across the team.”
“[Manager Name] excels at both strategic and operational management. They developed the long-term roadmap for our new product, while also overseeing launch logistics. The project came in under budget due to their oversight.”
“[Manager Name] has an exceptional coaching style. They scheduled biweekly 1:1s with me to explore my passions and strengths. With their mentorship, I gained skills that led me to be promoted twice in 18 months.”
“Even in difficult circumstances, [Manager Name] stays compassionate, fair and composed. When we had to downsize they treated each employee with tremendous care and humanity. Their integrity is unmatched.”
Key Takeaways
Endorsing an effective manager provides well-deserved recognition for their leadership and strengthens their future career prospects. When writing your endorsement:
– Reflect on their specific strengths, leadership approach, and business impact
– Be detailed, positive, and sincere
– Quantify their influence with metrics when possible
– Align observations with company values and competencies
– Proofread carefully to reinforce your professionalism
Outstanding managers enhance organizations. Take time to acknowledge managers who exemplify excellence so they continue to grow. Your endorsement can motivate them to keep progressing and provide an example to others. Recognizing great management benefits everyone.
Conclusion
In summary, endorsing a manager requires highlighting their specific strengths, leadership approach, and business impact with clear, detailed examples. The most meaningful endorsements are authentic and align with company values while focusing on the manager’s unique contributions. Sincere endorsements recognize managers for excellence and encourage continued growth. By writing endorsements for managers who exemplify great leadership, you help elevate the quality of management across the organization.