Every manager has his or her own approach to leading workers. However, there are a few traits that professionals in this role often share. Cindy Gordon, president of Culture Shock Coaching in Toronto, Canada, recently took to The Globe and Mail to highlight three qualities she feels every manager should possess.

First, Gordon wrote that a manager needs to be able to motivate his or her team. As a result, professionals in leadership roles must be willing to put their workers’ success ahead of their own.

As managers ask their workers to share thoughts and ideas, they will be relying on their communication skills, which Gordon feels are vital for this profession. In her opinion, these leaders are the ultimate middlemen, as they speak to everyone from subordinates and superiors, to customers and suppliers. Without good communication skills, there cannot be a consistent flow of information between all parties.

Finally, managers must be willing to share what they know with workers who have their own professional goals, according to Gordon. The focus should not just be on results, but on staff development as well.

According to the PayScale blog, Compensation Today, employees appreciate a manager who is courteous, understanding and willing to reward hard work.

Professionals who wish to assume leadership roles and are curious to see if they have the right qualities to become managers may want to take a business management aptitude test.