How To Improve Your Management Skills, Even If You’re Not A Manager

It is never too early to start honing your management skills.

Even if you are just starting out in your career, you should focus on establishing credibility and leadership skills to show your boss that you are a natural born leader.

Adding managerial skills to your virtual toolbox will always put you one step ahead in your career.

Brush up on these skills:

Prioritising

One of the main differences between an employee and a manager is that a manager has no one to complain to about an overload of work, but a worker can always come to their superior.

Instead of complaining about too much work or worst yet, miss deadlines, practice prioritising to improve management skills.

Focus on the most pressing, deadline-driven tasks, leaving the other ones to be finished when time frees up.

Creating a daily calendar can help keep you on track with your responsibilities.

Teamwork

A leader must be able to not only get along with the other people in their department, but also promote cohesiveness, communication and a positive corporate culture.

To start developing the leader in you, work on becoming a star team player.

Use soft skills, such as being mindful of your colleagues, respecting their feelings and showing empathy.

Learn how to work together in a positive way, resolving conflicts and delegating, when appropriate.

Communication Skills

The best managers are able to speak to their team members calmly, eloquently and productively.

They know how to get their message across in a persuasive way without having to raise their voice and be rude.

In addition to speaking, it’s important to perfect your listening skills.

Being able to put aside distractions and give colleagues your full attention will make you a valuable team player.

Active listening allows superiors to catch mistakes before they happen and understand the intricacies of what’s happening in their departments.

Decision Making Skills

Do you come to your boss asking the most basic questions because you find it difficult to make decisions?

Managers typically don’t have this luxury, and must be able to make a quick, yet education decision.

Practice giving yourself a time limit, such as 10 minutes, working it down to 5 and then 1 minute.

The more you try to work independently to make decisions without having to second guess yourself or ask someone else, the more leadership skills you will gain.

Thanks again

Mark Williams

Senior Management Trainer and Consultant

MTD Training