Introduction To Management: Key Skills
Being a Newcastle United supporter I am happy to report that I have something in
common with our former so-called 'Messiah', Kevin Keegan (no, I didn't have a perm). What connects us is that he was twice manager of my beloved club, and I was once the manager of a video rental store. Yes, we were both managers.
I use this rather tenuous link to demonstrate the broad interpretation of the term 'manager', and the diversity of roles performed by people adopting that title. From the totally inept regional manager David Brent in the TV series The Office, to Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles at the height of their success, and the terror of the touchline, Sir Alex Ferguson, who can strike terror into the heart of a referee simply by tapping the face of his wristwatch with his finger.
In the workplace, managerial vacancies are often filled from within by existing employees who have shown potential for promotion. This makes good sense as the appointment can be made on the basis of the candidate's proven managerial ability rather than the CV and interview skills of an outsider. So what are the skills that demonstrate managerial potential? What exactly are employers looking for? Here are a few of the skills the budding manager will need to have.
Leadership
The most obvious skill that the prospective manager should possess is leadership, although being skilled in this area alone does not necessarily amount to good management material. Workers in non-managerial roles do not generally demonstrate their leadership skills, so the employer is less likely to be aware of them but a prospective manager should at least have the ability to influence colleagues towards certain targets. And if you do gain that promotion there should be no let-up in asserting your leadership, for, while being a good listener is another important attribute for a manager to hold, if someone from a non-managerial position makes regular contributions that move the team forward more than your own input does, then higher management will notice this and he may be promoted at your expense, so always lead from the front.
Organisational Skills
These are also essential for those wishing to step onto the bottom rung of the managerial ladder. To achieve the goals that have been set with the minimum of effort, the candidate's skills in this area must run way beyond keeping a well-organised desk. One of the key responsibilities that comes with the role of manager is having to deal with unexpected situations as they arise (and this happens often). Running a well-organised system from top to bottom enables the manager to handle these situations smoothly and with minimum fuss. Taking the time to organise allows the manager to resolve matters more quickly and it demonstrates a good level of professionalism. A manager who has to search for a file that is urgently needed is simply a hindrance to the operation.
Planning
The prospective manager should also demonstrate an ability to plan ahead, as this is another area where his or her skills will be called upon on a regular basis. Planning covers a wide range of tasks, from identifying goals and deciding on the best methods to achieve those goals, to working out costs and completion dates. Care should always be taken to plan accurately and effectively because if, for example, the cost of a project runs to more than had been planned for, then the blame for this is laid at the door of the person who planned it; the manager.
Decision Making
I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure. So runs the old joke, but there is no room for indecision in management. The manager will have many important decisions to make as an everyday part of the role, and some of these will be of great significance. It is important, therefore, not to make snap decisions but rather to weigh up all of the relevant factors and make a calculated decision based on that information. In this way the manager will make the correct decision more often, but even when mistakes are made, for we can't all be right all of the time, then the good manager would be able to show the reasoning that led him to believe that he was making the correct decision, and it was not merely poor judgement.
A lot of responsibility comes with a role in management but promotion to that level is often a natural progression on the career ladder. Developing management skills is a worthwhile project to undertake as it could bear considerable fruit further down the line.
by: Rich Talbot
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