Being a manager is a tough job, but being a great one is even tougher. Just consider the array of knowledge and skills it takes to deal with a variety of people, tasks and business needs. Authors James Manktelow and Julian Birkinshaw say that, ideally, managers should know between 90 and 120 individual skills. Manktelow, founder and CEO of MindTools.com, and Birkinshaw, deputy dean for programs at London Business School, surveyed 15,242 managers worldwide to identify the most critical competencies, which are highlighted in their book Mind Tools for Managers: 100 Ways to Be a Better Boss (Wiley, 2018). Here are the highest-ranked skills, according to their survey: 1. Building good working relationships with people at all levels. 2. Prioritizing tasks effectively for yourself and your team. 3. Considering many factors in decision-making. 4. Knowing the key principles of good communication.
5. Understanding the needs of different stakeholders and communicating with them appropriately. 6. Bringing people together to solve problems. 7. Developing new ideas to solve customers' problems. 8. Cultivating relationships with customers. 9. Building trust within your team. 10. Using emotional intelligence. "Even if you already feel like you have some of these skills, know that there is always more to learn, and the results will show in your improved leadership," Manktelow says. "Practice them until they become effortless, and, in time, not only will you perform better, you'll get better results from your team and stand out as a talented leader within your organization." Desda Moss is managing editor of HR Magazine. |