This article is for managers – whether one or two people report to you, or if you are coordinating multiple large teams. Here, we will cover some management skills that any good manager needs to be able to succeed at his or her job, as well as how to cultivate them.
The six managerial skills you need to be a great boss are:
1. Motivation
Managers who can motivate their employees are true leaders. They accomplish this by interacting with team members in a skilful, professional way and setting clear, achievable goals. Great managers also keep an eye on their employees, tracking their progress, taking an active interest in their development, and keeping them informed on how they contribute to the company.
2. Problem solving
Top managers spot emerging problems before they’re apparent to everyone in the company and identify the root of the trouble. Analytical skills are especially useful in this regard, as knowing and harvesting the right data leads to the right conclusions to drive the company forward.
3. Professionalism
Integrity, honesty and professionalism are crucial skills for strong managers. As a leader, it’s better to show rather than tell when it comes to work ethic and demeanour. Qualities that highlight professionalism include the correct attitude, a diplomatic rather than dictatorial approach, showing a strong moral core, taking initiative and constant upskilling.
4. Communication
Effective communication is a must for a manager. This is because managers serve as a node of communication from lower ranks to those in the C-suite, a role which they must perform effectively. The best managers are always able to send a clear message and share valuable, understandable information that will help get the job done. They also exhibit emotional intelligence that enables them to understand employee needs and motivate the team.
5. Technical skills
Managers who do not understand what their staff are doing will not do well in their role. Those at the top of the chain need to know what is happening on the ground level in order to communicate effectively and formulate good organisational policy. In fact, many companies promote their managers from within for this very purpose. After all, you can’t oversee a team of IT professionals if you’re lost when it comes to navigating your company’s programming systems, and no sales manager can be effective if he doesn’t know how to close a sale.
6. Innovation
Good managers need to keep up with industry news, empower their employees to share good ideas and demonstrate a high level of conceptual thinking skills themselves. These translate into innovation as a solution, such as better processes that suit customers’ needs or fresh ideas in the marketing realm.
Do you recall a manager you had who demonstrated one or more of these qualities? Or has someone in your team given you good feedback? Share your story with the hashtag #JobscentralGoodPeople to spread the appreciation!