Line management

Line management at dxw is not about hierarchy, it’s about providing professional guidance and support.

Line managers help set expectations so team members are clear about their role and responsibilities at dxw. They also provide feedback and support so individuals can fulfil these to the best of their ability. Individuals should be proactive in taking responsibility for their own development, but line managers will provide advice and support to help team members meet their agreed short and long term goals.

Line management principles #

Communicate clearly #

Communication is a two-way process and it is important to check understanding and confidence, and value the other person in decision-making. Explaining the task and its objectives clearly means people know what’s expected of them and the part they play. It empowers them to take responsibility and own how they approach the work.

Recognise achievement and celebrate success #

A simple ‘thank you’ shows someone that what they have done is appreciated, and is hugely motivating. Celebrating major, and minor, achievements is an important part of our culture at dxw. It builds team spirit and morale.

Guard our values #

Lead by example. The actions and behaviours of line managers must always demonstrate our dxw values. We should always hold ourselves accountable to our values, and encourage the same in all of our colleagues, including those we line manage.

Continuous constructive feedback #

Find out how each of your team members prefers to receive feedback, and develop an approach which reflects that. Ongoing positive and constructive feedback is essential if someone is to feel valued, learn from their experiences and become better at what they do.

Be honest #

Being honest means telling the truth and being consistent in what you say and who you say it to. Telling things as they are, while being sensitive to the situation and individual, ensures that people know where they stand and will help to build mutual trust and respect.

Wellbeing #

Line managers look out for the health and wellbeing of the team. They are responsible for carrying out dxw’s duty of care to its people.

Career growth and performance  #

Supporting career growth and development of your team members is an important part of being a line manager. This will involve regular 1-1s, career development conversations and completing a short form to help track performance on a quarterly basis.

For more detailed guidance on supporting your team’s growth, please read the Career Development and Growth guidance section.

Support for line managers #

The role of a line manager is important. They should be an ally and advocate for their team members, so it’s critical that they feel supported in this role.

The People team supports line managers with advice and guidance on a range of things, including; recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance, sickness and any other specialist knowledge.

Each month the People team holds a session dedicated to line management, where they share information, answer questions and offer support on a range of topics. To ensure line managers get the most from these sessions, giving feedback on the content and discussion points is encouraged.

Last updated: 29 October 2025 (history)