What effect will focus on the 'My Manager' factor have?
My Manager - How employees feel about and communicate with their direct manager
The quality of direct line management really impacts engagement, after all the latest stats suggest that 7 out of 10 people leave their manager and not their organisation.
Great managers should be selling the direction and vision of the organisation, helping others see how their role impacts the bigger picture, ultimately influencing the factor My Company. Good Managers recognise the importance of growing and developing their people, which means the My Manager factor also has a significant impact on the factor Personal Growth.
When it comes to My Team, great managers build great teams, but world class managers also focus on connecting teams throughout the organisation. Managers can heavily influence the Wellbeing factor by helping to positively restore a work/life balance, managing employee workload and recognising that employees have a life outside of work
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Housing Associations
The Housing Network
Managers at The Housing Network are invested in through Structured Development, including leadership training and coaching. They receive direct guidance from the People team via the People & Culture Partnership, and dedicated Wellbeing Support to ensure they feel confident, capable, and supported in leading their teams effectively.
The company strengthens connections through Shared Experiences that build camaraderie and boost morale. Examples include Team Challenges like Tough Mudder, which promotes resilience, and smaller scale Everyday Connection activities such as informal socials and reflective practice sessions.
The practice offers a comprehensive benefits package grouped into four categories: Financial Benefits, Wellbeing, Flexibility, and Staff Development. This includes annual salary reviews, discretionary performance bonuses, and a staff recognition scheme, ensuring that all employee owners are competitively and directly rewarded.
Transparency is key, with the Strategic Board's vision and goals communicated through the business plan, presented at the beginning of every financial year. The EOT Committee, consisting of elected representatives, maintains a healthy, confidential channel of communication between practice leadership and the wider business.
Croxsons provides managers with management development including workshops to expand capability in areas like understanding themselves and others. The leadership style is open, accessible, and big-hearted, ensuring managers listen and explain the 'why' behind decisions, while 1:1s and informal conversations ensure people feel heard.
Croxsons gives 15% of its net profit to charitable causes, focussing on a generational shift in measurable outcomes. This funding has supported the rebuilding and multi-year funding of salaries for teachers in Kenya and funded social workers locally to help with abject poverty, life skills, and mental health.
Regular activities like Escape Rooms and Friday Office Drinks spark collaboration and problem-solving, while fostering a consistent space to unwind. Team-building efforts, such as Run Clubs and Padel Tournaments, offer healthy outlets for bonding, and seasonal Sports Days and BBQs bring the whole company together.
The company’s community-led ethos is demonstrated by the National Three Peaks Challenge, where a team raised £5,020 for The Christie Charity. Furthermore, AJ gave time off to its People and Operations Manager to run creative arts workshops at a local homeless shelter, showcasing its commitment to social impact.
Managers and leaders reinforce vision and values through Away Days and Learning and Development Days. Transparency is key, with an open-door culture encouraging questions. Managers receive support through annual Management Development days and new managers benefit from the Portal Leader programme, ensuring they are well-equipped and high-performing individuals.
The organisation’s We Invest in Wellbeing Gold Accreditation highlights Portal Training's focus. The Wellbeing Working Group promotes physical, psychological, and social health through initiatives like Funded Coffee Catch Ups (up to £10/month) and the EAP, offering 24/7 support for counselling, legal, and financial advice, ensuring comprehensive employee care.
The organisation actively commits to strong leadership, evidenced by its excellent manager rating of 8.6 out of 10 in their latest pulse survey. This commitment will be further solidified with the launch of the Line Manager Training Programme in November, enhancing leadership skills across the company.
Employees can donate their Spotlight award money to a charity of their choice, and the organisation supports personal charitable efforts with the Matched Fundraising Scheme of up to £100 per person annually. It also promotes environmental responsibility through the Green Impact programme.
Beyond tax-free bonuses, Tomorrow provides memorable and personal rewards like tickets to England rugby games and team lunches for high-performing groups. Winners of company-wide challenges are celebrated with prizes, combining recognition with shared experiences to strengthen team connections.
Tomorrow actively supports St Christopher's Fellowship, creating brighter futures for children through hands-on volunteering like garden clearance and fundraising through organised games nights and sponsored walks, fostering a spirit of community and positive impact.
Managers lead by example, consistently living the company values. They support their teams through clear expectation setting, regular bi-annual one-to-one reviews, and active encouragement for open conversations about workload, ensuring employees feel supported.
The organisation's collaborative culture is enhanced by initiatives like Early Finish Friday, a reward for hitting the monthly 'fee earning' target. Team Together days and outdoor team activities further strengthen connection, collaboration, and community engagement across all offices.
Manager support consistently receives high engagement scores, reflecting leadership grounded in empathy and trust. Managers provide personalised coaching through regular one-to-one’s, and their development is supported by specific training on performance management and coaching, as well as opportunities to represent their teams in leadership meetings.
Teams are encouraged to engage in local community initiatives, such as volunteering days, which strengthen bonds through a shared purpose of improving communities. Collaboration is also fostered through regular In Person Team Days and company-wide events, alongside creative problem-solving sessions at the annual staff conference.
The organisation brings colleagues together through formal and informal events. The Striving for Better networks share best practices, while face-to-face events like the annual Difference Awards and virtual Town Hall events provide opportunities for teams to connect and celebrate together.
HCRG Care Group provides extensive support through its Employee Assistance Programme. This initiative includes a wide range of services such as mental health support, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for various issues including menopause, and difficult conversation coaching to help colleagues navigate challenging situations.
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