The qualities of a strong manager are many yet can be distilled down to a few basic concepts, such as:
- Motivation
- Intuition
- Versatility
- Confidence
- Flexibility
- Organization
- Industry Knowledge
- Communication
- Respect
Being a strong manager is not always easy, but the positive effects of being able to lead a team effectively and get the most out of your reports are huge for any project. A lucky few have these essential management skills naturally, for most of us however, we must practice, read and learn through experience.
Like any journey of discovery though, it’s important to have a direction, so that your efforts are focused on what makes a strong manager. Here we break down some of the most important management skills that can set you on the path to success.
Motivation
A key difference between professional sports people and those that don’t make the grade is being able to consistently bring their A-game. We can all get motivated for something we’re passionate about, but it’s those moments when we don’t have an obvious reason to be focused that strong managers show their worth. By being able to motivate themselves daily to rise to the challenges ahead, even if they don’t feel like it, they can produce consistent results as well as energizing those around them to do the same.
Organization
One of the most basic elements of what it takes to be a strong manager is having a clear structure to your work. Whether it’s creating a project plan or keeping your team informed of reporting procedures, an orderly and easily communicable process means that miscommunication can be avoided and all stakeholders can find the information they need with ease.
Industry Knowledge
While many managers can move with relative comfort between industries, to excel in a certain field having extensive knowledge of it can be of great benefit. For example, while it is not completely necessary to have a science background to be a manager in the pharmaceutical industry, having a strong understanding of the components involved in such a project will help you to make better predictions of necessary resources and assessments of your team.
Confidence
One of the biggest factors in what makes a strong manager is the confidence they have in their abilities to succeed. This can be fed by having a clear idea of their goals and the knowledge of what to do to achieve them, but it can also come from a natural sureness in their actions. Decisions have to be made and a strong manager has what it takes to trust their instinct and take them. This confidence gives comfort to a team, knowing that they have a clear direction and that there’s a steady hand on the tiller.
Communication
Working as a manager means guiding and getting the most out of a team. While being able to take decisions and delegate on your own is part of what makes a strong manager, being able to communicate effectively is also one of the most important management skills. This requires a good deal of emotional intelligence and being able to adapt to the individual communication styles of team members. Listening to other people’s ideas and making staff members feel valued can increase loyalty and productivity. It also means that reports are fully aware of their responsibilities and are comfortable in relating their issues to you.
Though it can take a lot of effort to become a strong manager, the benefits for your career are obvious. Being able to lead a team effectively gives great confidence to your own senior stakeholders as well as increasing the chances you will be able to deliver project success.
