3.1.7 management skills

• Management skills enable a manager to effectively achieve business objectives.
• Such skills are crucial at all management levels.
• Management skills are essential for ensuring efficiency, productivity, and a positive workplace environment.

Communication

• Communication is the process of transferring information from one person to another to ensure understanding.
• Communication can be verbal, non-verbal, written, or electronic.
• Communication ensures clear expectations for employees.
• Communication resolves conflicts, builds relationships, and facilitates effective delegation and teamwork.
• Communication keeps stakeholders informed about business progress.
• Examples of communication include conducting team meetings, writing reports/emails, active listening, and presenting plans to investors.

Delegation

• Delegation is the process of assigning responsibility for specific tasks to employees while keeping accountability.
• Delegation frees up strategic time for managers and empowers employees.
• Delegation improves efficiency via appropriate work distribution.
• Delegation assists in skill development and leadership training.
• A store manager delegating stock management to an assistant is an example of delegation.
• A marketing manager assigning a social media campaign to a junior team member is another example.
• Considerations for delegation include giving the right task to the right person.
• Managers must provide clear instructions and support when delegating.
• Accountability should remain with the manager.

Planning

• Planning sets objectives and determines how to achieve them.
• Planning provides direction and sets priorities.
• Planning helps businesses anticipate challenges and find solutions.
• Planning allocates resources effectively.
• Planning ensures business goals align with the overall mission.
• Strategic planning is long-term and high-level (e.g., expanding internationally).
• Tactical planning is medium-term and department-specific (e.g., launching a new product line).
• Operational Planning is short-term and day-to-day (e.g., creating a weekly roster).
• Planning examples include developing a business expansion strategy, planning a product launch timeline, and setting sales targets.

Leadership

• Leadership is the ability to influence, motivate, and guide employees to achieve business goals.
• Leadership helps employees stay engaged and productive and also encourages innovation and problem-solving.
• Leadership builds a positive workplace culture and supports change management and business growth.
• An autocratic leader makes decisions without employee input.
• A persuasive leader convinces employees of decisions but maintains full control.
• A consultative leader seeks input but makes the final decision.
• A participative leader and employees make decisions together.
• A laissez-faire leader allows employees to make decisions with minimal managerial involvement.
• Examples of leadership include a CEO inspiring employees with a vision, a team leader motivating staff, and a manager guiding employees through changes.

Decision-Making

• Decision-making selects the best course of action from available alternatives.
• Decision-making solves problems effectively and helps businesses adapt to change, increasing efficiency and productivity.
• The decision-making process is as follows: define the objective, outline the facts, determine the alternatives, decide on the best option, start implementing the decision, and evaluate the effectiveness.
• Examples of decision-making include deciding whether to invest in new technology, choosing the best supplier, and resolving employee conflicts.

Interpersonal Skills

• Interpersonal skills effectively interact, communicate, and build relationships with employees and stakeholders.
• These create a positive and supportive workplace and encourage teamwork and collaboration.
• Interpersonal skills increase employee motivation and satisfaction and reduce workplace conflicts and misunderstandings.
• Examples of these skills include a manager showing empathy, building strong relationships with suppliers and customers, and encouraging open team communication.

Conclusion

• Strong management skills are essential for business success.
• A manager with effective communication, delegation, planning, leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal skills enhances business performance and employee satisfaction.

Explore the vital management skills of communication and delegation. Effective communication ensures clarity and collaboration. Delegation empowers employees and frees up managers for strategic tasks, both essential for business success.