Table 1

Themes and subthemes (quartiles 2–4)

Theme (% statements)Subthemes (n statements)
Virtuous support (36%)

  1. Aware of and flexible towards individual staff members’ circumstances (emergencies and so on) (178)

  2. Actively supports staff when necessary/acts as staff advocate (152)

  3. Acts to solve problems/resolve conflicts (130)

  4. Takes an interest in and knows the members of the staff team (59)

  5. Amenable/usually responds favourably to reasonable, non-urgent requests (21)

Communication (27%)

  1. Sensitive, active listener (212)

  2. Available/approachable/open/makes time to listen (120)

  3. Actively promotes communication (49)

  4. Staff team can communicate openly with the manager (24)

Personal virtues of the manager (17%)

  1. Empathic/understanding/accepting/non-judgemental/warm (151)

  2. Considerate/attentive/kind/amiable (70)

  3. Is fair (29)

Participatory collaboration (7%)

  1. Collaborative/open to feedback and ideas/compromises/negotiates (64)

  2. Works alongside staff/leads rather than dictates (21)

  3. Takes questions/suggestions/concerns of staff seriously (18)

Growth/flourishing/nurturing (7%)

  1. Gives positive feedback and praise (27)

  2. Appreciative/makes the team feel valued (23)

  3. Sensitive, tactful handling of mistakes/avoids blame culture (21)

  4. Encouraging/motivates and empowers the team (16)

  5. Supportive of CPD/training/growth (15)

Team cohesion (6%)

  1. Mutual respect between manager and staff team (45)

  2. The team is happy within itself/good relationships within the team (32)

  3. Active focus on and promotion of teamwork (17)

  • CPD, Continuing Professional Development.