5 Qualities That Can Improve Your Management Skills

The most successful managers master a unique blend of talents that boosts employee productivity, builds stronger corporate cultures, and puts plans into action. Their expertise improves operational efficiency and the effectiveness of products and services.

Professionals with top management skills are essential liaisons between executives and employees. They can take a strategic business plan and implement it to a successful outcome. Mastering a great manager’s leadership qualities requires tangible technical skills and soft people skills.

Earning an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management degree prepares aspiring managers for success in this challenging, critical profession. Graduates from the program often continue toward an online MBA. The culmination of management theory, knowledge, and skills awaits those earning an online Doctor of Management.

Top Management Skills

The details vary from job to job, but the fundamentals of success remain the same. Effective management and leadership draw on foundational skills applicable to any manager’s job description.

Communication and Listening Skills

Great managers don’t need to sit down and listen to the life story of every employee in their charge. However, managers must foster an environment of open communication and empathy. Poor communication involving condescending phrases like “because I said so” and an unwillingness to work with employees are recipes for a disgruntled and unproductive workforce.

Managers also need the ability to share a company’s overall goals so that employees understand how their work benefits the organization. Great managers also carefully listen to their employees and coworkers. By doing this, they can assess and troubleshoot communication issues head-on when required.

Have a Vision

The best managers see the big picture and a company’s strategic goals. They understand the steps to achieve those goals. Envisioning the long game allows managers to make changes and communicate this vision to their employees. This insight leads to goals met and challenges overcome.

Respect for Employees

Condescending managers who offer vague communication and negative feedback will soon find themselves attempting to manage a disengaged workforce. The most talented people will look for the exit and leave the organization as quickly as possible due to condescending managers.

Successful managers avoid these bad management traits and instead focus on building their actions off of respect for employees. Treating others with respect leads to higher levels of productivity and employee satisfaction. Two of the first steps in this area are thanking employees for their hard work and providing supportive feedback.

Supporting Career Development

Another crucial part of the job involves supporting employees in developing their skills. For instance, managers may enroll talented employees in training to prepare them for eventual roles in management. Good managers will work with employees struggling to achieve assignments, working with them to find alternative ways of achieving goals or getting them the training they need to meet the expectations for their job.

Developing a company culture that emphasizes support and respect for employees will help organizations attract and retain talented workers.

Problem-Solving

An essential management skill is using critical thinking to solve challenges. Problem-solving is not determining fault, like a detective looking for evidence of a crime. Instead, the best managers focus on finding solutions and avoiding similar problems in the future.

Continuous Improvement

Smart managers stay at the forefront of trends and advancements in their field, allowing them to engage employees and executives better. A great manager is aware of opportunities to learn new concepts and ideas.

Give Proper Feedback

Employees who only hear from managers when they make a mistake are most likely unhappy employees. A good manager gives both positive feedback and constructive criticism. They also follow three main rules.

• Don’t wait. Give feedback promptly so employees can improve right away. Offering criticism for something done weeks or months ago will not have the same impact.
• Offer specifics. Good managers offer specifics when they provide constructive criticism, not vague generalizations.
• Ask for feedback, too: Seeking feedback helps level the playing field between the manager and employees. It also helps managers get better at their jobs.

Following these top management tips can help professionals raise their management skills, leading to benefits for employees, the organization, and the manager’s career.