Here are the skills that every manager needs to know -
Strong
management skills foster productive teams - Some
people have a natural talent for managing people. Others learn the necessary
skills along the way through a combination of training and experience. If
you’ve got the right stuff, you can lead high-performing teams and create a
work environment that will elicit the best from your employees. Without the
right management skills, you could have problems with employee absenteeism, low
morale and deserters jumping ship.
People Skills - Whether you’re managing projects or work groups,
people are part of the equation. Having the right people skills will help you
get the most out of employees and teams. Express yourself openly and honestly,
employ active listening techniques and be sensitive to other people’s feelings
and needs. People will respond positively and feel respected and valued when
you demonstrate respect for individuals and communicate the importance of
diversity in finding creative solutions. Managers need to be able to give and
receive constructive feedback to encourage continuous improvement.
Time
Management - Knowing how to prioritize
projects and being able to set goals are essential skills for any manager.
Managers are bombarded with tasks during a typical day, from writing emails to
signing documents to answering phone calls. Learn how to distinguish between
what’s important and what can wait and move into a proactive mode, rather than
a reactive one. Knowing how to delegate is another important skill that can
carve out time for busy managers, letting them attend to more pressing matters.
Project
Management - Many skills come into play
when managing projects. Organizational skills are essential to stay on top of a
project and track timelines and key phases. Process knowledge also plays a part
in project management. Effective project management often involves
understanding manufacturing, supply chain and other processes and being able to
integrate a project with business goals. Being able to see the big picture is
another important skill in managing projects, along with brainstorming and
decision-making skills.
Conflict
Management - Negotiating skills are key to
resolving conflicts, as well as keeping projects and people on track to
achieving goals and objectives. Listening skills also come into play; the
ability to understand another point of view and making a person feel understood
is essential to resolving conflict and finding a middle ground.
Stress-management
Skills - Stress-management skills are
especially important during times of conflict. Knowing how to keep your cool in
a tense situation can keep tempers from flaring. Personal stress-management skills
also can help maintain a healthy lifestyle and give you the energy to perform
well at work. Office management skills such as procurement, reporting, hiring
and budgeting can also help keep things operating smoothly.
