Leadership and Management Skills Required for Success in Management

Success in leadership requires a unique blend of talents as well as the ability to focus those talents in multiple areas. Those areas include boosting employee productivity, building a stronger work culture, making operations more efficient and ensuring products and services meet changing consumer demands.  

Employers view effective managers as essential to the success of organizations because of their pivotal role in any organization. Managers implement business strategies created by top executives while overseeing the work of their department’s employees. Successfully mastering the role of manager requires a balance of the hard, technical skills of understanding your day-to-day responsibilities with soft, interpersonal skills that lead to positive employee engagement. 

Aspiring managers can help prepare themselves for the responsibilities of serving in a supervisory role by earning an online Master of Science in Management.  

Important Management Skills 

While the details of management jobs differ, the skills needed for effective leadership typically remain the same in almost every industry. These skills go beyond the day-to-day operational duties of the job. By honing these skills, managers can take their performance to a higher level.  

Communication and Listening Skills 

Managers must foster an environment of open communication and empathy. Poor communication that involves condescending phrases like “because I said so” and an unwillingness to work with employees who learn by conversation are recipes for a discontented and unproductive workforce.  

Success in leadership also requires the ability to communicate the overall goals of a company in a way that helps employees understand how their work benefits the organization. Great managers also listen to their employees and coworkers. They are open to debate and able to assess and troubleshoot communication issues head-on when required. 

Have a Vision 

Effective managers can see the big picture and a company’s goals. They also understand how to take the actions necessary to achieve those goals. When managers can see what the future holds, then they can make changes and communicate this vision to their employees. This increases their ability to meet goals successfully and troubleshooting barriers and issues well. 

Respect for Employees 

Managers who employ condescending language, offer vague communication and provide only negative feedback will soon find themselves attempting to manage a disengaged workforce. This will result in the most talented people looking for ways to leave as quickly as possible.  

Good managers avoid these bad management traits and instead focus on building their actions based off respect for employees. Treating others with respect leads to higher levels of productivity and employee satisfaction. Thanking employees for their hard work and providing supportive feedback are common ways to exemplify respect for employees for any manager.

Supporting Career Development 

Managers focus on improving operational efficiency. But another key part of the job involves supporting their employees with skills development. For talented employees, managers may try to enroll them in training that prepares them for a management role. For employees who struggle to achieve assignments, managers may work with them to find alternative ways of achieving goals or getting them the training they need to meet the expectations for their job. Success in leadership depends on developing a company culture that emphasizes support and respect for employees, helping the organization attract and retain talented workers. 

Problem Solving 

The ability to use critical thinking skills to solve challenges is a key management skill. Aspiring managers must prepare for difficulties because they always arise at some point. The key to problem-solving is not to focus on who or what is at fault. Rather, the best managers stay focused on understanding the nature and the roots of the problem and collaboratively finding an appropriate solution to the problem, then promoting the learning needed to avoid the problem in the future. 

Continuous Improvement 

Smart managers stay at the forefront of trends and advancements in their field, allowing them to better engage both employees and executives. A great manager always stays aware of any opportunities to learn about 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 learns how to give both positive feedback and constructive criticism. They also follow three main rules.  

• Don’t wait: Give feedback in a timely manner so employees can improve right away. Offering criticism of 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: Seeking feedback helps level the playing field between the manager and employees. It also helps managers get better at their jobs. 

Hone Your Management Skill Set by Earning a Master’s in Management 

Eastern Connecticut State University’s M.S. in Management program focuses on giving students the knowledge and skills in leadership to prepare for a variety of roles or situations they may face as a manager.  

Students will learn about a variety of concepts that can help improve their leadership potential, including: 

• Evaluating complex ideas. 
• Using appropriate means to address stakeholders. 
• Identifying ethical issues and assessing the impact of business decisions on society, individuals and the environment. 

This program is appropriate for virtually any industry as students learn how to navigate the dynamics of complex organizations.