What are “essential” management skills? Are they the same for every manager? How can you get the management skills you need?
In this short article, we take a quick look at the answers to these questions.
What are “essential” management skills?
Let’s be honest, the role of “manager” encompasses many things. As a manager or supervisor, you may often feel like you need to be all things to all people.
It’s not possible, especially when combined with the fact that a high percentage of managers also need to carry out another role while managing others.
This is where essential management skills come in. These are the skills that enable you to manage your workload and support your team.
Here are the top 4 skill areas a manager needs to master in order to perform well:
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Organisational Skills
This incorporates time management, task prioritisation, and delegation.
These skills really come to the rescue on days when you feel like you’re getting nowhere with your to-do list or when your team is going through its busiest periods.
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Communication Skills
The importance of good communication skills for good management cannot be over-emphasised.
Communication is at the heart of every interaction with your team, executive leaders, and clients. In order to keep everything running smoothly, you must develop and strengthen your communication skills.
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Conflict Resolution Skills
No matter how well you run things, you will sometimes encounter conflict and need to have difficult conversations.
Possessing conflict resolution skills will support you in handling these situations with skill and a professional approach.
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Resilience Skills
Today’s working world could accurately be described as “fast-paced”, “rapidly changing”, and even “unpredictable”.
As a manager, you’ll need to stay steady and able to respond when a challenge arises. You’ll also need to support your team as they navigate the changes.
Building a solid set of resilience skills helps you do this. It also supports keeping your stress levels lower at work.
Are Management Skills the same for every manager?
It’s true that every role will require a slightly different combination of skills.
However, the 4 basic skill-sets above are important no matter where you work, how many people you manage, or what your role encompasses.
How can you get the management skills you need?
The fastest and most effective way to begin developing your management skills is through training.
Time and experience are also excellent teachers, but training equips you with the tools you need from the start.
There are many different management training options available. We suggest choosing what fits your goals, schedule, and budget best.
For inspiration, here are our 3 most popular management training options:
QQI People Management
Live, Online Training – 3 Days – Practical Skills + QQI Certification
If a 3-day training session fits into your schedule, this is the best place to begin. We run this course every month and it fills up fast.
There are 3 reasons for it’s popularity:
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1. It covers a broad spectrum of important management skills
Through completing this QQI People Management Course, you’ll gain organisational, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
You’ll also learn about strengths and weaknesses of different management styles, motivational techniques, how to coach your team, manage performance, and understand relevant workplace legislation.
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2. It leads to a respected QQI certification
Achieving a recognised management certification – such as this QQI award in Managing People – is a great way to underline the credibility of your management knowledge and capabilities.
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3. It’s delivered by management training experts
Our certified management trainers bring the value of their years of experience in management, and their expertise in training others to every course we run.
Learn more about QQI People Management
QQI Management Coaching Course
Live, Online Training – 4 Days – Practical Skills + Certification
Our Management Coaching Course is an excellent choice for those who want to learn how to coach individual staff members to achieve great results.
This style of management promotes stronger working relationships and increased morale throughout teams.
Learn more about Management Coaching
Resilience in the Workplace
Live, Online Training – 1 Day – Practical Skills without Certification
We recommend this 1-day workshop as a standalone course or as a follow-on from QQI People Management or Management Skills.
You’ll learn how to stay steady and responsive in the face of challenging, changing circumstances.
Learn more about Resilience in the Workplace
Get advice from our team
If you’re unsure about where to begin, we can help.
Get in touch with our experienced consultants for advice on which management course will benefit your career most.
During office hours, you can reach us at Freephone 1800 910 810 or Dublin 01 861 0700. You can always get in touch online, using the “Ask a Question” button below.
