Being a proficient manager isn’t just about being able to tell people what to do. Likewise, although many good managers are also good leaders, management skills and leadership skills aren’t one and the same. But what are management skills, exactly? There’s no definitive answer, but the most successful managers have a unique set of abilities that work together to get things done and stay organised.
In any job, the role of a manager is to run a tight ship – and that can mean different things at different companies. When you’re submitting a job application, read the job description carefully to see the exact skills the hiring manager is looking for.
Here are some examples of management skills that are often sought-after for management positions:
Organisation
In a management role, being organised is more than simply keeping your inbox neat and tidy, and your paperwork filed. Strong managers understand the requirements for any task and can put into place the necessary structures and resources to accomplish goals at a team level. Depending on the job, this could include specific abilities such as:
● Budgeting
● Project management
● Process guideline creation
● Logistics
● Resource allocation
● Technical knowledge
Decision-making
As a manager, the buck will often stop with you when it comes to making complex or significant business decisions. With that in mind, you need to have the ability to analyse situations with many working parts and propose a solution even in circumstances where there is no clear answer. Being able to make sound judgements involves skills such as:
● An analytical mindset
● Strong research methodologies
● Critical thinking
● Negotiation
● Problem-solving
Delegation
In an ideal workplace, employees have a good understanding of how their role fits in the team and the wider business – and as such, should have the confidence to be autonomous in doing their job. In the real world, though, things aren’t always so cut and dry. That’s why managers need to be able to step in and give direction at the right times, without micromanaging output. This involves skills such as:
● Training and development
● Assertiveness
● The ability to provide constructive feedback
Supervision
Successful managers keep track of what’s going on within their team and the broader business and can rectify issues quickly and effectively. This could be anything from problems with staff morale to process breakdowns or budget control issues. Supervisory skills include:
● Goal-setting and monitoring
● Data interpretation
● Business activity and financial reporting
● Process management
As with any job application, the skills you list on your management resume should be tailored to the job description – so be as specific as possible, use relevant keywords in your resume, and back up your assertions with actual achievements if possible.
Want more help with your resume? Check out our resume centre for tips and advice!
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