Six Skills every Manager needs

There is an imperative need today, than ever before, to inculcate practical management skills in executives- particularly such skills which enable them to lead, influence, control and co-ordinate the activities of other people, by whom they obtain results, and for whose work and welfare they are accountable.

1. Time Management

Time is a resource, which must be allocated optimally, to gain maximum advantage. Each unit of a manager’s time has an opportunity cost: in the sense that its value must be assessed against any other alternative use to which that span of time may have been applied. Time spent in a committee meeting, for instance, could instead be devoted to a (possibly more productive) counseling session with a key subordinate. Take care not to attend inessential meetings, and leave a meeting early, if the remaining items on the agenda do not concern you.

2. Delegation

Delegation is the assignment of responsibilities to subordinates along with the concomitant devolution of necessary authority to accomplish such work. It is not only a technique for saving time, but also a management control and training technique. You must decide what to delegate, when to delegate, and in which circumstances. Delegate whenever your personal workload seems excessive, or whenever you believe that by doing so your subordinates will be better motivated, or that they will derive a greater sense of belonging and participation, and that they will also, learn something useful.

3. Communication skill

Communication skills are both primary and paramount for success in management. An effective manager needs to constantly hone his communication skills. He must keep abreast of the latest devices, tools and techniques in communication lest he is left behind in the growth gird. Your credibility as a group leader and facilitator depends to a large extent on how clearly and forcefully you are able to express your views.

4. Assertiveness

Assertive behavior has earned a bad connotation, because of its seeming association with aggression. Aggression is intended to insult, injure, frighten or destroy; whereas assertion helps individuals to manifest initiative, translate ideas into action, and maximize their potential. Aggression is hostile, harmful and stems from base motive like greed and deprivation.

5. Dealing with stress



6. Negotiating skill

Bluff, counter-bluff, hard words, threat, intemperate and provocative language are all part and parcel of industrial relations, negotiations. Expect them and be prepared for them (like you will look for and receive a cup of coffee) as a matter of routine, but never indulge in them yourself.

Such tactics and tricks of the trade by the other party are inevitable (and, therefore, acceptable to you), but always separate the wheat from the chaff: focus on the issues at hand, and highlight solutions rather than participants.

Never co-operate with abuse, but do not respond aggressively. Avoid answering abuse with abuse. Keep your sang-froid, control your temper, and do not retaliate. Remain silent, if someone shouts at you, or swears at you, nut look directly at the assailant (till you count five); a steady gaze indicates a solid inner conviction, besides the intensity of your response; and then say slowly: “I think the usefulness of this discussion has come to an end. I came here in good faith to conduct a negotiation. I did not come here to be abused and insulted. Good bye.” Then leave, resolutely, even if the person insulting you apologizes. You can always fix a time to reconvene the meeting on a later date: if you like, you may even insist that the person tender a written apology, before the next such meeting. But never, never continue the meeting after such a misdemeanor; he has to pay the price for it.

However, there is a sidelight to this strategy. Look for and unearth the basic motive behind the abuse; there must be one; then devise a positive action-plan to overcome the implied criticism.

A smile is a powerful disarmament tool in such a context. It is this curve on your face, which makes more issues straight in your life. Once an agreement has been reached, always, insist that it be written down and celebrate it. Then, concentrate upon the other points in which similar agreements are due, and important to you.