The Art of Being A Good Manager: Part 1: Traits and Skills in the New Normal
Author: Lynn Fountain
| CPE Credit: |
2 hours for CPAs |
Whether you’ve been leading teams for years or are stepping into a management role for the first time, you will quickly realize that effective management is as much an art as it is a skill set. While technical expertise may have earned you the promotion, the ability to inspire, guide, and get results through others requires a distinctly different toolkit.
Management involves balancing organizational goals with the needs, strengths, and challenges of your team members. It calls for adaptability, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and clear communication—skills that are developed over time and refined through experience.
This two-part series is designed to provide practical tools, strategies, and insights that help you become not just a good manager, but a great one. Part I focuses on core leadership skills, personal attributes, and proven techniques for managing people effectively. Part II expands the conversation to explore generational and cultural considerations, equipping you to lead diverse teams in today’s interconnected workplace.
Publication Date: March 2026
Designed For
Accounting, Finance, Treasury professionals; Internal auditors; Professionals considering the role of internal audit; Executive management; Board members and Audit Committee members; Legal and Compliance professionals; and All professionals in a corporate or private setting.
Topics Covered
- Transition Effectively into Management
- Recognize the shift in mindset from “doing the work” to “leading the work”
- Understand the common challenges faced when moving from peer to supervisor
- Develop strategies to build credibility and trust quickly
- Differentiate Between Bad, Good, and Great Managers
- Identify the habits, behaviors, and attitudes that undermine leadership credibility
- Understand the consistent practices of effective managers
- Explore the exceptional qualities and leadership approaches that elevate a manager to “great” status
- Recognize the Goals and Traits of High-Performing Managers
- Learn the core traits that support sustainable leadership success
- Understand how goal setting and vision alignment impact team motivation
Learning Objectives
- Identify the definition of a good and great leader and how to assess your own skills
- Identify the traits and skills that make a good manager
- Explain how to turn good managers into great managers
- Define must have qualities for being a great manager
- Explain how the changing workforce impacts how good and great managers can execute their traits and skills
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Personnel/HR (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
