Essential Management Skills

Because management responsibilities are generally much more task-oriented than some leadership responsibilities, one important way to operationalize effective management is to discuss necessary skills. Skills are different from traits or characteristics in that they are the ability to use one’s knowledge and competences to accomplish a set of objectives. Effective administration depends upon three personal skill sets: technical, human and conceptual. The following is a discussion of each:

• Technical skill:

knowledge about a proficiency in a specific type of work or activity. This may include competencies within a specialized field, analytical ability, or the ability to use appropriate tools and techniques. A good example of this is the knowledge of software language and programming, the company’s software products, and how to troubleshoot for clients when working for a computer software company

 • Human skill:

knowledge about an ability to work with people, often considered “people” skills. These skills allow a manager to assist group members when working cooperatively as a group to achieve a task or assignment. Examples of this group of skills include being aware of one’s own perspective on issues as well as your employees’ perspectives, knowing the needs and motivations of your staff, and taking into account others’ needs during decision-making.

 • Conceptual skill:

 The ability to work with ideas and concepts. This skill set doesn’t involve working with people or things, but focuses on ideas. A manager with good conceptual skills will be comfortable talking about the ideas and details that shape their group or organization. He or she is good at seeing the bigger picture and can translate this understanding into words everyone understands. Each of these types of skills is important for effective management, and are necessary within different levels of management within a group or organization. Not surprisingly, many of these skills are also useful for effective leadership, generally within a slightly different context.