Eight essential things you need to know about “How to Hire the Right Manager: Traits Every Great Leader Must Have”—broken down into long-form, insightful explanations that will not only help you recognize the right person but also avoid the wrong one. Whether you’re hiring your first manager or replacing a critical leadership role, this guide is packed with practical, real-world value.

1.

Character Over Credentials

Resumes can be polished, interviews can be rehearsed, but character is who someone really is when no one’s watching. You’re not just hiring a skillset—you’re hiring integrity, attitude, and alignment with your company’s values. Look for signs of honesty, humility, and responsibility in past behavior. Ask questions like, “Tell me about a time you had to admit a mistake to your team,” or “How do you handle decisions when no one else is watching?” A great manager can be trained in technical skills—but you can’t train someone to care deeply about doing the right thing.

2.

Leadership Is Not About Control—It’s About Influence

Managers who succeed do so because they earn trust, not because they bark orders. Leadership through influence means the team follows not because they have to—but because they want to. During interviews, ask candidates to share how they’ve inspired others, handled resistance without threats, or cultivated loyalty in tough times. Look for someone who understands the power of relationship-based leadership rather than title-based control.

3.

Great Managers Are Great Communicators

Communication is more than clear emails and organized meetings. The best managers listen more than they talk. They know how to deliver tough feedback kindly, align people around a vision, and resolve conflict without escalating drama. During the hiring process, pay attention not just to what the candidate says, but how they say it. Can they explain complex things simply? Do they sound respectful when describing team challenges? If they can communicate effectively with you, they’re more likely to lead well under pressure.

4.

Emotional Intelligence Is a Superpower

You want someone who can read the room, de-escalate conflict, and sense when a team member is off their game. Emotional intelligence (EQ) allows managers to navigate high-stress situations with empathy and clarity. Ask interview questions like, “How do you handle a team member who’s not performing but is going through something personal?” or “What would you do if your entire team seemed burned out?” EQ doesn’t show up on paper—but it shows up every day on the floor.

5.

They Must Know How to Coach, Not Just Manage

Managing tasks is easy. Coaching people is where the magic happens. A great manager helps their team grow, stretch, and believe in themselves. They notice strengths. They ask great questions. They don’t just solve problems—they help people learn how to solve them on their own. During interviews, ask about how they’ve helped someone on their team go from struggling to succeeding. You want someone who lifts people up, not just gets things done.

6.

They Understand the Business—Not Just the Role

A great manager knows their role is bigger than a checklist. They should understand how their department fits into the bigger picture of your business. Ask things like, “How do you align your team’s goals with company goals?” or “What would you do if a decision helped your department but hurt the company overall?” The right manager thinks beyond their silo. They understand trade-offs, business priorities, and the need to work cross-functionally.

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How to Find Customers and Make Sales When You’re Just Starting Out

Each one is rooted in real-world startup experience and focuses on clarity, momentum, and trust-building.

1.

Clarity Beats Complexity: Know Who You’re Talking To and What You’re Offering

When you’re starting from scratch, the biggest sales killer is confusion. If people don’t understand exactly what you do, who you serve, and how your product or service helps them, they won’t buy. You don’t need a complicated marketing funnel or clever slogans—you need a simple, clear message.

Help your audience get laser-focused on:

• Who their ideal customer is (age, lifestyle, needs, pain points)
• What specific transformation or benefit their product delivers
• Why someone should choose them over other options

The clearer your value proposition, the more attention you’ll attract—even without a big budget. People don’t buy what they don’t understand. They buy what feels relevant and easy to grasp.

2.

Visibility Comes from Repetition—Not Just Creativity

Most startups don’t have the luxury of huge ad spends or celebrity endorsements. So how do you build visibility from nothing? Consistency. Being visible in the right places, over and over again, is what makes a brand feel familiar—and people buy from brands they recognize and trust.

This includes:

• Showing up regularly on one or two key platforms (email, social, events, referrals)
• Sharing helpful, authentic content that your audience actually values
• Repeating your core message again and again

You don’t need to go viral. You need to become familiar. Sales come from people seeing your name often enough that they remember you when the need arises.

3.

Sales Start with Conversations—Not Campaigns

In the early days of a business, your biggest asset isn’t your website or your social media—it’s your ability to connect with people one-on-one. At this stage, sales don’t come from ads—they come from conversations.

Encourage listeners to:

• Talk to people about what they’re building
• Ask potential customers what problems they’re trying to solve
• Offer solutions and ask for the sale directly

Sales is not about pressure—it’s about service. The more confidently and sincerely you speak about how your offer can help, the more sales you’ll start to make—even when you’re brand new.

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1.

Not All Loans Are Created Equal—Understand the Types First

Most new entrepreneurs don’t realize how many types of loans are out there, and they often chase the wrong one for their stage. There are term loans, business lines of credit, SBA loans, microloans, and equipment financing, just to name a few. Some are great for buying inventory, others for building working capital, and others for startup costs.

Explain each type simply and include how they’re typically used. For example:

• A term loan works like a mortgage—lump sum up front, repay with interest over time.
• A business line of credit is more flexible—you borrow what you need, when you need it.
• SBA loans are partially guaranteed by the government, so they come with lower risk for lenders (and often better terms for borrowers), but the process can be slow and paperwork-heavy.

2.

SBA Loans Are Great—But Not Always Easy to Get

SBA (Small Business Administration) loans are one of the most popular funding options for startups because of their lower interest rates and longer repayment terms. But here’s what many people don’t know: they aren’t actually given bythe SBA—they’re issued by banks and guaranteed by the SBA.

You’ll need:

• A detailed business plan
• Strong personal credit
• Proof you’ve invested some of your own money (also known as “skin in the game”)

They’re not fast, and approval is far from automatic. But if you’re building a strong foundation and need significant capital, they can be worth the effort.

3.

Your Personal Credit and Financial History Matter—A Lot

Most startup loans rely heavily on your personal credit because the business itself doesn’t yet have a financial track record. If your credit score is low or your debt-to-income ratio is high, you’ll likely be seen as a high-risk borrower.

Teach your audience that your personal finances are your business’s credit until you build business credit. That means it pays to:

• Clean up personal credit reports
• Reduce outstanding debt
• Show consistent income and financial responsibility

Also, if possible, start building business credit early by opening a business checking account, getting a DUNS number, and responsibly using a business credit card.

4.

Start Small with Microloans or Local Lenders

If you don’t qualify for big bank loans, microloans (usually under $50,000) from nonprofit organizations or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can be a great starting point. These lenders are often more flexible, willing to work with new entrepreneurs, and focused on helping underserved communities.

Many local credit unions and regional banks also have small business lending programs that are more personalized than big national banks. You might not get rich overnight, but you’ll build a solid relationship and credit history that can lead to bigger financing later.

5.

Have a Clear Plan for the Money—and for Paying It Back

The worst thing you can do is borrow money without knowing exactly how it will help grow the business—and how you’ll repay it. Lenders want to see a detailed use of funds: Are you using it for marketing, product development, payroll, or equipment?

Talk about the importance of cash flow forecasting, profit margins, and your break-even point. You don’t need to be a CPA, but you do need to know:

• How this loan will bring in more revenue
• When you exp