Managerial skills - types and example

Managerial skills - types with examples

As discussed in levels of organisation, there are three levels - top , middle and lower and all of these have different set and magnitude of responsibilities to be performed by them. Basing on these different responsibilities or work to be performed or managed different set and level of managerial skills are required at different levels in the organisation. 

According to Prof. Robert Katz, all managers require three major skills. However, the degree (amount) of these skills required varies (changes) from levels of management and from an organisation to organisation. 

 Three Managerial Skills

First in managerial skill  is  -  Conceptual Skills

Conceptual skills are abilities which allow a person to visualize concepts, see patterns, understand abstract ideas, solve problems, formulate processes and understand how systems, programs and ideas interrelate.

                                                                                                                            By:- investorwords

 This helps the managers to see the existing differences between goals of various functions or departments, effect of and on external environment etc. and to align them in a way which results in overall efficiency.

This is required most at top level and reduces as the levels go down.

Second in managerial skills is - Human Skills

The most vital component of all the things in “to manage” list of a manager is to manage humans while working with them as individuals as well as in groups.  

Human or interpersonal skills like being fair and just,staying calm in crisis and being in control enables a manager to act as a leader, guide, motivator, influencer, team maker, a great communicator and even better listener.

Humans are present at all levels in the organisation and so is the need for human skills which is equally relevant, important and required at all levels.

Third in managerial skills is - Technical skills

Technical skills are related to technique and technology.

This is the ability of a manager to use technology/ equipment/ machines as well as use, implement or develop technique/ methods/  processes to perform a task or achieve certain targets.

The lower level managers are expected to be technically skilled because this is the actual operational level where the machines are to be used and action plans are to be implemented. As we go above in the levels these skills are less expected there.

EXAMPLE OF MANAGERIAL SKILLS AT DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONAL LEVELS

Stan started as a sales representative in organisation ABC.

LOWER LEVEL

 Here Stan will need and develop skills to sell the products.

 Here He will require

• Technical skills to develop ways to sell the product .
• Human skills to communicate to customers and understand them .
• Very less of conceptual skills - only related to the product and its selling .   

MIDDLE LEVEL

 Stan gets promoted to being sales manager.

Here he will need

• Human skills to manage workers and employees working under his authority.
• Conceptual skills to understand how his branch is to work with rest of the branches and other outside organisations directly involved.
• Technical skills only to guide salespersons under him to help them develop their sales capabilities .

TOP LEVEL

 Stan gets promoted to being vice president-Sales .

Here he will need

• Conceptual skills to understand how his department is linked to other departments like production or finance in the organisation and government rules and regulations regarding consumer protection, fair practices in competition etc .
• Human skills to deal with employees and other managers (seniors , peers, clients ).
• Technical skills only to understand to do not create visions which are impossible at ground level to implement or achieve .

To conclude , all Managerial skills are required at all levels but they differ in their importance and magnitude .