The Gift of a Great Manager
Leaders often come from specialist backgrounds without formal training, creating gaps that can affect workplace dynamics and overall business success.
Recently, we attended a leadership session with Manageable, an organisation dedicated to transforming managers into confident, capable coaches for their reports. Their approach, rooted in practical experience and scientific research, struck a chord with us.
Consider an art gallery manager who excels shouldering the significant responsibility of diverse operational demands but feels less prepared to lead their growing team through challenges. Or think of a leader in an art advisory, skilled in client engagement but less familiar with staff development. In these cases, a fresh approach to management could be transformative.
“Manageable’s intentions resonated with me. Coming to leadership coaching later in my career, I realised during the session that exposure to effective coaching frameworks earlier would have been hugely enriching. I am certain many find themselves in the same position, discovering invaluable leadership resources only in later stages of their career. It would be fantastic if others could begin building this knowledge sooner… The advantages of investing in strong management skills extend beyond immediate gains. Effective coaching can lead to enhanced team engagement, smoother operations, and sustained productivity—all contributing to long-term business success.”
– Rosie Allan, SML Managing Partner
We were impressed by Manageable’s dedication to fostering positive workplace culture through practical and adaptable coaching. Their work with a range of professionals demonstrates how these strategies can benefit those in mid-career and senior leadership roles, cascading improvements throughout an organisation.
Insights shared by three business leaders, along with Farley Thomas, Founder of Manageable, and Blaine Landis, co-creator of their Leadership Capacity Profile, left us contemplating: could investment in coaching and leadership development elevate the art world? The answer is a resounding yes. While market expertise, extensive networks, and tenacity fuel these businesses, the presence of well-trained, confident managers could be the linchpin for sustainable growth in both people and operations.
At SML, we set high standards and strive for excellence, aiming to make a meaningful impact on the art sector. Inspired by Manageable’s approach, we hope to encourage art world leaders responsible for team development, and those at the mid to senior stage of their careers, to consider how leadership growth and better understanding of management styles could enhance their teams, client experiences, and overall business impact.
“At Manageable, we’ve combined the best insights from leadership science, the wisdom of top executive coaches, and brilliant technology to create leadership development programs that really, genuinely, work for any organisation. Our core focus is on coaching skills—the thing that research consistently shows is the most effective way to boost employee engagement and well-being. If you want to build your managers into leaders and create a fantastic working culture at your organisation, please get in touch.” – Farley Thomas, CEO, Manageable
