LinkedIn isn’t just a place to list job titles, it’s the living record of your professional journey, where every project, challenge, and success becomes part of your story.

A great LinkedIn recommendation changes that. It’s not just praise, it’s a career asset. It shows future employers how you lead, not just what you’ve done and it also boosts your overall LinkedIn presence.

It’s proof of your leadership style, decision-making skills, and your ability to bring out the best in people, all in a few sentences that can live on your profile for years.

That’s the kind of social proof that can tip the scales in a competitive job market. The kind that plants seeds today, ready to grow into tomorrow’s opportunities.

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Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter for Managers

In today’s digital-first world, a LinkedIn recommendation is more than a kind word.

It’s public, third-party validation of your leadership, decision-making, and ability to manage stakeholders.

“A resume says what you did. A recommendation shows how you did it, through someone else’s eyes.”

1. Professional Credibility

These aren’t empty compliments. They’re testimonials from people who’ve actually seen you lead.

Ask yourself: If a former colleague described my leadership in one sentence, what would they say?

2. Enhanced Visibility

LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards activity and engagement. A fresh recommendation can bump your profile higher in searches and feeds.

3. Depth and Authenticity

An endorsement may be as brief as a single click, but a recommendation offers a detailed account that conveys context, depth, and a story that remains memorable over time.

4. Leadership Showcase

They reveal how you guide teams, manage complexity, and unite people around a goal — the traits that don’t fit neatly into bullet points.

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What Makes a Great Manager Recommendation

The key is in the details. It’s rarely about the “big” decisions in the corner office but more about what happens in the messy middle.

The Invisible Work That Matters

Great recommendations often describe how a manager:

• Keeps cross-functional teams aligned under pressure
• Turns leadership’s vision into a realistic, executable plan
• Balances competing stakeholder demands without burning out the team

Generic vs. Memorable

“They were a strong leader and a pleasure to work with.”

or

“They navigated conflicting stakeholder requests, kept the team’s priorities clear, and ensured we hit our delivery date without compromising quality.”

The second example works because it’s vivid and specific, you can picture the situation and the result. Why does the second example work?

Because you can see the moment: a messy situation, a leader who brings clarity, and a team that delivers.

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The Career Impact

A strong recommendation doesn’t just recognize your work it becomes permanent proof that you can lead in the real world, not just on paper.

It shows you can:

• Adapt to shifting priorities without losing focus
• Align people across departments
• Deliver results even when things get unpredictable

The Long Game

When a project ends, the team moves on and the market changes, but the recommendation remains as a record of your work.

“Your leadership doesn’t stop when the job ends. Neither should the proof of it.”

Every time someone views your profile, recruiter, hiring manager, or potential client that story works for you again.

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5-Step Framework for Writing a LinkedIn Recommendation for a Manager

Follow these steps to make your recommendation impactful and memorable:

• Say how you know them: Your role, their role, and how long you worked together.
• Mention their strengths: Leadership style, key skills, and results.
• Share one example: A quick story that shows them in action.
• Note what makes them unique: Traits that stand out from other managers.
• Close with your recommendation: A clear statement of support.

Before:

"She was a great manager who supported me a lot."

After:

"When our team faced a last-minute client deadline, [Manager’s Name] calmly reorganized priorities, delegated tasks with precision, and checked in with each of us personally. Her leadership turned a potential failure into one of our proudest wins."

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Examples of Effective LinkedIn Recommendations for Managers

Crafting a LinkedIn recommendation is both an art and a science.

The best ones balance detail, personal experience, and professionalism while showing exactly how a manager makes an impact.

Here are 10 examples you can adapt:

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Example 1: For a Marketing Manager

I had the pleasure of working with [Manager's Name] for over three years at [Company Name].

We collaborated on numerous high-impact campaigns, and their strategic mindset consistently elevated our success rates.

One campaign they led boosted engagement by 40% in a single quarter proof of their marketing expertise and leadership.

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Example 2: For an Operations Manager

During my time at [Company Name], I worked closely with [Manager's Name] on daily operations and large-scale projects.

Their leadership in streamlining processes led to a 30% increase in efficiency, without sacrificing quality.

They created a positive environment where teams thrived and results followed.

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Example 3: For a Technical Manager

[Manager's Name] is a dedicated technology leader who understands both the human and technical sides of management.

We collaborated on multiple software projects that were delivered ahead of schedule, increasing client satisfaction by 20%.

Their mentorship nurtured a strong, motivated team.

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Example 4: For a Sales Manager

Working under [Manager's Name] at [Company Name] transformed how I approach sales.

They set ambitious targets and equipped us with the strategies to surpass them achieving 125% of quota in one year.

Their mix of data-driven insights and motivational leadership made all the difference.

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Example 5: For a Project Manager

I partnered with [Manager's Name] on cross-departmental projects where priorities shifted constantly.

They kept stakeholders aligned, delivered ahead of deadlines, and came in 15% under budget.

Their calm leadership made even complex challenges manageable.

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Example 6: For a Human Resources Manager

At [Company Name], [Manager's Name] redefined HR leadership.

They launched initiatives that improved engagement scores by 25% in one year, while building trust across teams.

Their people-first approach was matched by clear, measurable results.

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Example 7: For a Finance Manager

I worked with [Manager's Name] during a critical restructuring phase.

Their expertise in forecasting and budget management restored profitability within two quarters.

They handled audits with precision and brought stability during uncertain times.

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Example 8: For a Customer Success Manager

Partnering with [Manager's Name] showed me what true client advocacy looks like.

They reduced churn by 18% and increased upsell opportunities by 22% in just six months.

Their empathy and problem-solving built lasting customer relationships.

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Example 9: For a Supply Chain Manager

[Manager's Name] consistently balanced cost savings with operational excellence.

They renegotiated vendor contracts, cutting costs by 12% while improving delivery times by 15%.

Their collaborative style kept every department aligned.

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Example 10: For a Creative Manager

Working with [Manager's Name] was inspiring from day one.

They encouraged innovative ideas while keeping campaigns on-brand, driving a 35% boost in engagement.

Their vision and leadership earned both industry awards and team loyalty.

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Conclusion and Next Steps

A strong LinkedIn recommendation for a manager is more than flattery, it’s a lasting record of how they lead, solve problems, and support the team.

It turns vague praise into a concrete story that recruiters, peers, and future employers can remember.

If you’re a manager:

• Review your current recommendations: Do they clearly reflect your leadership style, decision-making, and impact?
• Highlight the strongest ones by featuring them at the top of your profile.
• Keep them current: After major projects or milestones, update your profile so your recommendations stay relevant to your latest work.

If you’ve worked with a great manager:

• Give before you get: Write them a recommendation that highlights the specifics of their leadership style.
• Focus on moments, not titles: Describe when they made a difference, solved a tough problem, or kept the team moving.

This give-and-receive cycle keeps your profile alive with fresh, authentic proof of how you work. And because recommendations stay visible for years, each one becomes a permanent asset in your professional story.

For deeper insights, explore:

• Ultimate guide: How to respond to a recruiter.
• How to write LinkedIn recommendations for the boss.
• The Power of Networking in the Digital Age.