Why managers shouldn't judge by appearances

The story of Susan Boyle, a 47-year-old unemployed singer from the UK who's taken the world by storm, offers a timely reminder for managers not to judge their staff on face value, a recent Harvard Business blog posts argues.

'How We Work' blogger Peter Bregman posits that behind every initially underestimated person like Susan Boyle is a great manager, someone capable of glimpsing extraordinary talent behind a not so flashy exterior.

Bregman writes: "Good managers help their employees succeed in whatever role they happen to be in. Great managers see the unique talents of each employee, and then create the role that's a perfect vehicle for those talents."

And what kind of effect does this process have on productivity?

A recent University of Pennsylvania study suggests managers who frequently recognise and encourage their staff can see an increase in productivity of 31 per cent.