You’ve probably heard that one of the best business strategies is to focus on building a good core staff. You may be looking for a management team with an education or strong experience. But a good resume doesn’t tell the whole story. To be an effective leader, any member of management needs to have certain skills. Here are some key abilities to look for.
Team Building
No matter how many people or what particular functions a manager’s workforce covers, team building is critical to productivity. Good communication should always be taking place between your managers and their teams. A spirit of collaboration and mutual support are essential on any task or project, and on a daily basis. Every employee should feel that they’re an accepted, appreciated, and vital part of the whole team and your company overall. This is important for building motivation and loyalty.
Managing Conflict
No matter how well you foster a culture of cooperation, there will inevitably be conflicts. It may be between team members, employees and managers, or between team leaders. Egos, agendas, and ambitions often collide. But a team leader’s job is to ensure that personal conflicts are resolved as quickly and tactfully as possible. Otherwise, bad feelings may linger to spark future problems. A good manager tries to understand each situation and take appropriate steps, even if it means reorganization or disciplinary action.
Industry Knowledge
A manager should have enough technical knowledge to follow processes and solve problems. You might be very impressed with a candidate with a master’s from MIT and years spent managing projects at IBM, but is this the right person for your needs? Unless you’re specifically hiring for an IT role, there’s going to be a long period of learning and adjustment, regardless of ability. Go for the candidate that you’re confident will be able to contribute from day one.
Networking
The interpersonal skills required to function well on behalf of your organization are important. A leader has to be able to network and build strong relationships. This applies to employees, senior management, department heads, vendors, and customers. For example, if it’s time to expand the power system at your factory, you’ll appreciate having someone on staff who has, or is confident of making, contacts with reliable industrial boilers manufacturers. Managers with strong networking skills will develop new opportunities for your business.
There are a variety of things you will need from a good manager for each leadership position. But after asking “Can they do the job?” you should start thinking about additional ways in which they can help grow your company.