A manager is a person who is responsible for managing and directing a team, project, or organization. Managers have a very important role in determining the success and performance of a business or venture. Therefore, a manager must have adequate skills to carry out his duties and responsibilities well.
Definition of Manager
A manager is someone who is responsible for managing human, material, and financial resources in an organization or company. Managers have an important role in determining the vision, mission, goals, strategies, and policies of the organization or company. Managers must also be able to coordinate, direct, motivate, and supervise the performance of subordinates and co-workers.
In the world of work, managers can be divided into several levels, namely top managers, middle managers, and first-line managers. Top managers are managers who are in the highest positions in the organizational or corporate structure, such as president director, operational director, or president director. Top managers are tasked with making strategic decisions and drawing up long-term plans.
Middle managers are managers who are below the top managers and above the first-line managers. Middle managers are tasked with implementing decisions and plans made by top managers. Middle managers are also responsible for coordinating activities between departments or divisions under them. Examples of middle managers are section heads, project managers, or plant managers.
First-line managers are managers who are in the lowest positions in the organizational or corporate structure. First-line managers are tasked with supervising and guiding non-managerial employees who perform day-to-day operational work. First-line managers are also responsible for reporting work to middle managers. Examples of first-line managers are supervisors, foremen, or team leaders.
To be an effective and professional manager, a manager must possess some basic skills, namely technical skills, interpersonal skills, conceptual skills, and entrepreneurial skills. Technical skills are skills related to knowledge and abilities in a particular field, such as accounting, marketing, production, or information technology. Technical skills are required to do the job efficiently and effectively.
Managerial skills, basic skills that managers should possess
Managerial skills are abilities required by a manager to manage the resources, processes, and people involved in a business or venture. Managerial skills can be divided into three main types, namely:
1. Technical skills
Technical skills are the ability to use knowledge, methods, tools, or technology related to a particular field or work function.
Examples of technical skills are computer skills, accounting, design, or foreign languages. Technical skills are required by a manager to understand and solve problems of a specific and practical nature.
Also read: Examples of Technical Skills
2. Conceptual skills
Conceptual skills are the ability to think abstractly, analytically, critically, and creatively. Examples of conceptual skills are strategic, innovative, logical, or systemic thinking skills. Conceptual skills are required by a manager to understand and deal with problems that are complex and multidimensional.
3. Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills are the ability to communicate, collaborate, and interact with others effectively and harmoniously.
Examples of interpersonal skills are communication, cooperation, leadership, or negotiation skills. Interpersonal skills are required by a manager to build and maintain good relationships with subordinates, co-workers, superiors, customers, or other parties related to business or venture.
4. Entrepreneurial Skills
Entrepreneurial skills are skills related to the ability to create new opportunities and take the risks necessary to realize them.
Entrepreneurial skills are needed to develop an inspiring and competitive vision and mission of an organization or company.
Entrepreneurial skills include the ability to create, take initiative, adapt, be results-oriented, and learn from mistakes.
Specific Skills a Manager Should Possess
In addition to general managerial skills, a manager must also have specific skills that correspond to his role and responsibilities in the business or venture. Here are some specific skills a manager should possess:
1. Planning skills
Planning skills are the ability to set goals, objectives, strategies, and actions necessary to achieve desired results. A manager must be able to plan clearly and in detail what to do, when to do it, how it should be done, and who should do it.
2. Organizing skills
Organizing skills are the ability to organize and allocate resources, processes, and people efficiently and effectively. A manager must be able to organize systematically and logically what should be done, where it should be done, and with whom it should be done.
3. Control skills
Control skills are the ability to monitor and evaluate performance, results, and processes that occur in a business or venture. A manager must be able to control accurately and objectively what has been done, what is being done, and what will be done.
4. Motivational skills
Motivational skills are the ability to provide encouragement, support, and rewards to people involved in a business or venture. A manager must be able to motivate positively and constructively what should be done, why it should be done, and how it should be done.
FAQ
What is a manager?
A manager is a person who is responsible for managing and directing a team, project, or organization.
What are the managerial skills?
Managerial skills are abilities required by a manager to manage the resources, processes, and people involved in a business or venture. Managerial skills can be divided into three main types, namely technical skills, conceptual skills, and interpersonal skills.
What are the specific skills that a manager should have?
The specific skills that a manager must possess are planning, organizing, controlling, and motivating skills.
How to improve managerial skills?
The way to improve managerial skills is to learn in theory and practice from trusted sources, attend relevant training or courses, ask for feedback or advice from experienced people, and conduct periodic self-evaluations.
Why are managerial skills important for a manager?
Managerial skills are important for a manager because they affect the success and performance of a business or venture. A manager who has good managerial skills will be able to manage and direct the business or business more effectively, efficiently, and productively.
Conclusion
The skills that a manager must possess are managerial skills and specific skills.
Managerial skills are the ability to use knowledge, methods, tools, or technologies related to a particular field or work function (technical skills), think abstractly, analytically, critically, and creatively (conceptual skills), and communicate, collaborate, and interact with others effectively and harmoniously (interpersonal skills).
Specific skills are the ability to set goals, objectives, strategies, and actions necessary to achieve desired results (planning skills), organize and allocate resources, processes, and people efficiently and effectively (organizing skills), monitor and evaluate performance, results, and processes occurring in a business or venture (control skills), and provide encouragement, support, and rewards to people who engage in business or venture (motivational skills).
Hopefully, this article was useful for those of you who want to find out more about the skills that a manager should have. If you have any questions or suggestions, please write them in the comments below.
Read more: