To successfully lead a team and become a respected manager you'll need a specific set of skills. Find out more about the qualities of a good manager and how to develop and hone these attributes Show
If you're invited to interview for a management position, use your past experience to explain how you've acquired and developed the following skills as you answer management interview questions. Interpersonal skillsManagement jobs are all about people and being able to build successful relationships is integral. To lead a team, you'll need to earn the respect of your colleagues. To do this, you need to know how to effectively deal with people. Setting time aside to get to know team members on both a personal and professional level, through social activities or team-building events while still maintaining professional boundaries, will go a long way to earning their respect. You need to demonstrate your managerial qualities and authority, while still playing your part as a member of a team. Communication and motivationEffective leaders must master all forms of communication including written, verbal and listening skills. As a team manager you're the line of communication between frontline staff and senior management. You'll liaise with a variety of people, from entry-level employees to heads of departments and CEOs, in a number of different ways - via email and social media, over the phone and in presentations, meetings and one-to-ones. You'll need to establish a trusting relationship with employees, so they feel comfortable sharing information with you, and vice versa. To ensure that lines of communication remain open, you'll need to make yourself readily available and accessible to your employees to discuss any issues or concerns that arise. Having an open-door policy or weekly or monthly team meetings should facilitate this. Let your staff know that they matter by maintaining eye contact, smiling and listening attentively. An open, positive attitude goes a long way to creating a healthy work environment. Don't shut yourself off or put yourself on a pedestal. Simple gestures, such as active encouragement, recognising achievements and taking an interest in the lives of your employees, ensures that staff feel valued. A positive workplace creates happy, motivated employees. Organisation and delegationAs a manager you'll juggle multiple responsibilities, so excellent organisational skills are vital. You'll need to manage your own workload, oversee the work of other employees, attend meetings and training sessions, carry out appraisals and review company policies. Sloppy working practices, tardiness and a general lack of organisation won't be tolerated at this level and will set a bad example to your staff. Effective organisational skills reduce stress, save time and ensure that important deadlines are met. Many managers ease their own busy workload by delegating tasks to colleagues. To do this effectively you need to analyse and identify the skills of your employees and assign duties to each depending on their skillset. Delegation isn't a sign of weakness and can in fact multiply the amount of work that a manager can accomplish - while developing the team's confidence and skills. Forward planning and strategic thinkingIt's a manager's job to think of the bigger picture, so as well as focusing on today's tasks and responsibilities you'll also need to plan for the future. This means setting priorities in line with company goals, reviewing systems and policies, and attending training and managing the continuing professional development (CPD) activities of your team. As a strategic thinker, you'll encourage innovation and change to make your team and the organisation as a whole more productive and profitable. Problem solving and decision-makingYou'll be tasked with spotting and solving problems on a daily basis in a managerial position. This requires outstanding attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure. To ensure that your team is productive, and that the workflow runs smoothly, you'll have to think on your feet when problems arise. Creative thinking will help you to come up with innovative solutions that minimise the impact on your team and the business. Thinking on your feet also comes in useful when you have to make a snap decision about how to successfully complete a task or meet a business goal. Being able to quickly weigh up the pros and cons of a situation and make an informed decision is essential. Commercial awarenessThis skill is in huge demand among business employers. In fact, according to recruiters, commercial awareness is something that most graduates lack. If you want to progress to management level, an understanding of the marketplace in which a business operates and what it is that makes a business successful is essential. To demonstrate this, you'll need to show that you:
MentoringAs well as being business-focused decision-makers, managers also need to play a supportive role. If you've reached this senior level, you have a repertoire of experience, knowledge and skills, and it's your job to pass this knowledge on and share your skills with others. This involves training and advising staff and building their confidence and skills. In a management position, you'll be the driving force behind the progression of team members. How do I develop these management skills?All of the above can be learned, honed and developed through a number of activities. While at university you could:
After graduation you could:
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What are the implications of someone studying management?The study of management will provide you with the tools and skills needed to land leadership positions, head up your own company, as well as manage teams, individuals, and organizations effectively. Studying management will also position you for outstanding earning potential.
Why is studying management important?Studying management teaches how to effectively lead and manage others to help individuals, teams and organizations meet their full potential.
Why is management important in our personal life?It helps your personal relationships. Good time management skills are essential to having strong and productive relationships. The more free time you have to spend with your friends and family, the better your relationships will be. You'll make better decisions, have better ideas, and people around you will notice.
What are the benefits that you acquired from management?Participating in management training can advance your career by equipping you with the knowledge to make effective decisions, influence change around you, and manage and mentor your colleagues—making you a better employee and manager, and enabling you to overcome any challenges that arise during your tenure.
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