10 Critical Management Skills That Every Manager Needs to Succeed

Managing a company in our challenging and ever-changing business era can be highly stressful and daunting.

Thus, people in these high-level positions need exceptional managerial skills to help them succeed.

But what exactly are managerial skills? And how can you attain these skills? 

This article will explain managerial skills, detail the top 10 skills managers need to help their companies remain competitive and explain how to obtain these skills if you want to become a manager. 

What are managerial skills?

Management skills are a particular set of capabilities that a management position holder should possess to run a business department effectively. 

These skills enable them to perform executive-level tasks, allowing the company to excel and overcome problems without chaos. 

Additionally, these skills help managers relate to their subordinates, creating far better working environments where processes can run smoothly. 

Top 10 management skills all managers need

Here’s a list of the ten primary management skills that all good managers need to succeed in business. 

1. Communication skills

Successful managers need good communication skills — both verbal and written.

• Verbal communication is used to communicate with subordinates, suppliers, co-managers, and customers over the phone or in person. 

• Written communication is used to communicate via email, SMS, and online platforms. 

In addition to their written communication skills, they must have excellent grammar and spelling skills to ensure that all messages are professional. 

Managers with practical communication skills will help avoid confusion so everyone is always on the same page. As a result, processes will run effectively, and their companies will be able to reach more growth. 

2. Technical skills

Technical skills refer to knowledge and proficiency in performing specific methods, procedures, and processes. They involve knowing how to use particular tools, techniques, and software to achieve the best results. 

In the same way surgeons need the technical skills to perform effective surgeries, managers need the technical skills to perform business tasks effectively. 

For example, a marketing manager needs to know how to use marketing tools for advertising online, such as Facebook or Google Ads, and be able to teach these skills to subordinates.

3. Decision-making skills

Managers need to be able to make decisions that benefit the business as a whole and help it attain its goals. This may sometimes involve tough choices, such as firing employees who do not benefit the company, scrapping a product line, and more. 

Decision-making skills will help managers find opportunities, detect threats, and take the appropriate course of action—regardless of the difficulty. 

Sometimes, managers make wrong decisions. This is part of the process, but they must learn from their mistakes to improve their decision-making skills.

4. Problem-solving skills

Problems often arise in the business world. Many issues will inevitably happen, from a problem with a supplier or a customer to a problem with a production order. 

An excellent manager knows how to identify and resolve these problems before any damage can occur. 

They must find the best solutions to these problems—with the lowest costs, the least bad press, and the best effect on business processes. 

Great managers think ahead, expect risks, and brainstorm solutions to determine the best way to resolve these issues. 

5. Organisational skills

Managers must be excellent at organising their duties, meetings, and deadlines to ensure all tasks are completed on time. 

They have to be able to prioritise tasks from most to least significant since plans often change in the business environment. They also need to allocate adequate time to specific duties so that subordinates have enough time to complete them. 

Additionally, they must also stay calm and maintain a level head during stressful situations. 

6. Motivational skills

Motivating team members can make a massive difference in the long run. When subordinates respect and trust their managers, it creates a positive work environment. 

As a result, business operations will run seamlessly since everyone is motivated and willing to go the extra mile. Unfortunately, studies show that only 53% of employees feel their managers care about their well-being. 

Thus, managers need to connect with their subordinates to be motivational. They must show interest in their lives, recognise their achievements, actively encourage them, and make them feel valued. 

7. Leadership skills

There is a big difference between being a boss and being a leader. 

• A boss gives instructions and watches as their employees do the work.

• A leader is someone who not only gives instructions but also works alongside their subordinates to achieve maximum success. They provide guidance, offer helpful feedback, and do some heavy lifting themselves.  

Managers have different management styles but should always strive to lead by example. 

In many ways, leadership skills directly correlate with teamwork skills. When managers are willing to work with their subordinates, they will gain the respect of their associates and achieve better outcomes.  

8. Conceptual skills

The ability to see the “big picture” is essential in any business setting, and that’s why conceptual skills are one of the top managerial skills. 

Good conceptual skills allow managers to visualise the company and coordinate and integrate different parts to work together to achieve the best outcomes. 

As a result, managers will know what tools, resources, and processes the company needs to incorporate into its operations to stand out within its industry.

9. Emotional intelligence 

Being a manager requires more than simply having knowledge and the ability to lead people. It also requires the ability to empathise with people and make them feel that their opinions and feelings matter.

Emotional intelligence, a soft skill, also includes social skills, such as effectively communicating and managing conflict by understanding the underlying emotions causing any issues between team members. 

Furthermore, managers must understand and manage their emotions in stressful situations to avoid making impulsive decisions and causing anxiety among their team members. 

10. Adaptability

With constant technological advancements and changes in customer behaviours, adaptability has become an increasingly important skill for managers. 

This refers to the skill to adjust to new conditions, embrace change, and remain competitive in the marketplace. It involves: 

• Flexibility in thinking: Managers must be open to new ideas, approaches, and perspectives. They should assess situations and challenges with a clear mindset to determine necessary changes. 

• Embracing change: Rather than resisting change, managers need to view change as an opportunity for growth and improvement. They need to be able to make some hard decisions even if they do not have all the answers. 

• Balancing stability and agility: While great managers should be open to change, they must maintain the company’s core values and goals. This means they need to balance being flexible and having a consistent direction. 

FAQ

What skills do new managers need?

New managers face unique challenges transitioning from individual contributors to leaders. To make this transition as smooth as possible, they need to learn the following skills quickly: 

• Leadership
• Communication
• Delegation
• Time management
• Conflict resolution
• Emotional intelligence
• Decision-making

How do you train a manager to be a leader?

Training a manager to be an effective leader requires learning practical and theoretical knowledge through practical experience and education. 

The best approach for them would be to:  

• Undergo formal training at an accredited institution
• Get mentorship and coaching from other professionals in their industry
• Do frequent self-assessment and reflection
• Pursue opportunities where they can gain practical experience

Study a management course with REGENT

Great managers are not born. They are honed through education and experience. 

Here at REGENT Business School, we want to help you become an excellent manager by teaching you all the managerial skills you need to succeed. 

We have various management qualifications based on your needs and career goals. Look at our Postgraduate Diploma in Management, Advanced Diploma in Management, Higher Certificate in Business Management, and more.