To be the best...

What are the top 3 traits or skills every general manager must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your general manager expertise?

what can i do to insure that im getting the best out of my gen managers

Ability to show and exhibit genuine concern, care, empathy, and understanding to thier employees. Your actions show this, not your words or just your words. People are always looking at you and watching you and your behaviors, activities, and what you really do so you can not b.s. them.

Being honest and approachable to your employees and when you can't tell the truth or tell all....- be forthcoming and admit or acknowledge you can't share that information at that time for a specific and truthful meaning. This, opposed to lying, spinning, avoiding, or otherwise leaving employees to wonder, guess, worry, gossip, or otherwise come to thier own conclusions about something that is important to them.

To know thier direct reporting and indirect reporting persons jobs, responsibilities, and/or tasks at hand. One does not have to be an expert or the best at all the given jobs, tasks, or functions. But, you must know the time, knowledge, effort, and the process or processes, and be in REALITY of what your reporting persons are doing. To not know or act as if you do know is insulting, degrading, and distasteful to the employee performing the job or task(s) at hand. Also, on this note- if you were to get promoted to a "boss" position over someone or function you do not know at all or know well- admit that up front, learn that job and those persons, seek out your strongest performers in that area to help teach you so that you can be at least competent in that function or task- not incompetent and/or clueless. You will earn respect here as it is not given but earned.