Leadership skills for aspiring managers are integral to their success in their roles. Possessing these abilities can assist an incoming manager with prioritizing commitments, delegating responsibilities, multitasking efficiently and setting realistic goals.
First-time managers often have difficulty developing leadership skills. Without any clear guidelines on how to delegate, many tips such as "try delegating" may give little direction on how they should do so.
Communication
Leadership involves more than managing teams - it also means developing a vision for your company and aligning employees around its goal. Leaders communicate important information and expectations to their teams, while simultaneously encouraging individuals to realize their full potential by giving them purpose and passion in their work.
Leadership requires strong decision-making skills, especially for managers who make important decisions that affect an entire organization. This ability includes taking risks and taking bold moves that may or may not work out well, but also admitting when one doesn't.
Effective communication is a hallmark of leadership. This encompasses listening, seeking feedback and communicating in an open manner with their teams - such as one-on-one meetings and company wide meetings - in addition to being ready and willing to address any potential problems as they arise. Managers should regularly interact with their teams in this regard - including through one-on-one and all-hands company meetings where issues may be brought up for discussion.
Problem-Solving
Problem-solving abilities are an integral component of leadership. Interviewers frequently inquire about specific examples in which candidates have successfully identified and resolved issues in either work experience or personal life.
Problem-solving requires first identifying and gathering information on an issue before making decisions on solutions. Leaping too soon into solutions without first gathering all necessary details may result in misdirected efforts that don't effectively address its cause.
Problem-solving techniques like flowcharts and cause-and-effect diagrams can be useful tools in identifying issues and prioritizing potential solutions. Group discussions often comprise part of these exercises, offering diverse perspectives. Visual methods may also speed up the process and facilitate fast feedback - such as the Four Step Sketch and Crazy 8s exercises which enable teams to rapidly iterate on ideas for quick results.
Decision-Making
An indecisive manager or supervisor that delays in making decisions can have adverse repercussions for company morale and ultimately have financial ramifications. Cultivating decision-making skills is an integral leadership quality that involves carefully considering options, considering advantages and disadvantages and selecting the most optimal solution to problems.
New managers can hone this skill by watching and learning from their direct manager or seeking guidance from an experienced leader. A senior leader can help new managers assess their own strengths and weaknesses as they develop new management abilities.
Effective managers need to be agile and adaptive when responding to changing environments or unexpected events, like unexpectedly shifting priorities or unexpected setbacks. One way they can enhance this flexibility is through encouraging team collaboration that provides multiple perspectives when problem solving. Strong communication skills promote open and honest dialogue that encourages all members contributing their thoughts freely and without fear.
Interpersonal Skills
Many job advertisements for leadership and management roles specify that employers want candidates with strong interpersonal skills in the areas of active listening, trust building, empathy and conflict resolution. Employers look for these traits because it enables leaders to build cohesive team environments which enhance decision-making capabilities as well as success with collaborations.
Empathy is a crucial skill for professionals as it allows them to understand and connect with their team members. Furthermore, empathy allows managers to foster an environment in which employees feel appreciated for their contributions.
Active listening is an indispensable skill for aspiring managers as it requires them to listen attentively during conversations for both verbal and nonverbal cues that indicate intent, helping them delegate tasks more efficiently, address conflicts effectively and engage their teams during meetings.
Teamwork
Teamwork refers to the art of working well together within a group setting, from resolving conflicts to providing constructive feedback and helping other members attain their goals. Managers requiring this skill are essential, whether in the boardroom or an office meeting.
Successful leaders possess the ability to delegate tasks and monitor progress, set clear goals and expectations, provide regular feedback, and foster accountability within both themselves and their employees.
Consider your last time working together as part of a group or team to complete a project, and how your teamwork skills played a part in making that experience smooth and productive.
