Established, since 1997, leading UK based training provider.
Celebrating 25 years in business! CPD Member - The CPD Certification Service ilm Recognised Provider

Management Training Skills

Management Training Skills

Management Training Skills

Modern managers succeed when they blend up-to-date technical know-how with the soft skills that turn knowledge into action. – Chris Farmer, Lead Trainer, Corporate Coach Group

The role of manager is difficult to fill: Not only must you possess technical knowledge, consistent with the product and service that your organisation offers, but also you need to have additional personal skills relating to:

  • The proper organisation of work, together with
  • The ability to inspire the best performance from both individuals and teams

How can you set about the task?

Remember that all "big problems" can be tackled by breaking them down into a series of "small problems."

The process of "breaking down" a subject into its constituent parts is called analysis. (From the Greek meaning "to break up, or loosen").

All important concepts can (and should) be analysed, in order to discover their composition and purpose.

Let us analyse the concept of "manager" and see what we can discover Based on our initial statement, we know that the manager has the following attributes:

  1. Good technical knowledge, consistent with the product or service your organisation offers.
  2. Personal skills relating to the proper organisation of work.
  3. Personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance from individuals.
  4. Personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance of teams.

Each of these four can be analysed to discover their composition.

Leadership Training - The Effective Leader Manager Leadership and Management Training Course Logo

Leadership Training - The Effective Leader Manager

As the team leader or manager, you know that, on the technical level, you are very good. In your role as an effective and inspirational leader-manager, you recognise that there may be some gaps. Now you are searching for a method to help you to improve your skills as a team-leader and manager - click here to find out more!

1. Good technical knowledge, consistent with the product or service your organisation offers

Presumably, your organisation exists to provide some kind of product or service to its customers.

In order to manage that process, you must have a certain level of specialised knowledge:

  1. Your Knowledge must be "Up to date"
  2. Your knowledge must be sufficient

Your knowledge must be "Up to date" Many fields of knowledge are continually advancing and changing:

For example: The Law, technology and fashion continually change.

It is important to keep abreast of the current law, current technology and current fashion that will affect your customers and organisation, by keeping your eyes open and observing, and by reading.

Your knowledge must be sufficient. Absolute knowledge is impossible; you can never know everything.

But you should try to get as close to perfection as possible, in the restricted context of your field of work.

For example:

2. Personal skills relating to the proper organisation of work

A manager must be able to prioritise and plan work effectively. Prioritisation is the process of placing work tasks in their proper order, by reference to their value deadline and logical sequence.

  1. Value: Value is measured by consequences: Ask yourself which tasks, if done, or not done, will make the biggest difference?
  2. Deadline: Deadline is a measure of the urgency of a task: Ask yourself by what date must this be completed?
  3. Logical sequence: Logical sequence is recognition of the fact that, if the task is to be done correctly, then subset-tasks must be done in a specific order.

Example: The washer goes onto the bolt, before the nut, (not after it).

To be a better manager, perfect the art of prioritising according to value, deadline and logical sequence.

3. Personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance from individuals

In order to get the best performance from any individual member of the group then you must possess certain additional skills.

These are the ability to:

  1. Set specific goals for the individual to achieve.
  2. Communicate the goal in a clear and precise way so that the individual can understand exactly what is being required and why.
  3. Gather feedback to check whether the individual is making progress or not.
  4. Give corrective guidance where necessary.

With reference to personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance from individuals; learn to:

  • Set and communicate goals.
  • Formulate plans.
  • Allow the person the freedom to take action.
  • Monitor and give corrective feedback.

4. Personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance of teams

A team is a group of two or more individuals who are working harmoniously together in a synchronised way to achieve a common goal.

So, in relation to teams we can say the following:

The team must be a group of people who can work harmoniously together. This means that the team members must complement each other; not clash against each other.

Please note that they don't have to like each other. Many successful teams contain people who don't like each other; but they are able to work together, in a productive manner.

Therefore you, the manager, must keep an eye on the relationships within the team.

Be prepared to act quickly to "nip problems in the bud". Specifically, watch out for any signs of the following:

  1. Any form of dishonestly on the part of any member
  2. Any form of laziness on the part of any member
  3. Any form of menacing or aggressive language on the part of any member
  4. Any excessive "humour" at the expense of others on the part of any member

You need to set-the-scene that is likely to result in a harmonious work atmosphere.

If there is any:

  • Dishonesty
  • Laziness
  • Aggressive menace
  • Excessive "humour"

Then disharmony is more likely to erupt within the team.

Summary

A good manager needs to develop the following attributes:

  1. Good technical knowledge, consistent with the product or service your organisation offers,
  2. Personal skills relating to the proper organisation of work,
  3. Personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance from individuals.
  4. Personal skills relating to inspiring the best performance from the team as a whole.

To be a better manager:

  1. Get as close to perfect knowledge as is possible, in the restricted context of your field of work.
  2. Perfect the art of Prioritising according to value, deadline and logical sequence
  3. Learn to: Set and communicate goals; Formulate plans; Allow the person the freedom to take action; Monitor and give corrective feedback
  4. Specifically watch out for any signs of the following: Any form of dishonestly; Any form of laziness; Any form of menacing or aggressive language; Any excessive "humour" at the expense of other

Strive always, to create a harmonious work atmosphere.

Why you should attend a short training course for managers.

FREE Training Needs Analysis Free Training Needs Analysis Logo

FREE Training Needs Analysis!

In order to get the best from your training, you need to discover your relative strengths and weaknesses. Take our FREE training needs analysis questionnaire now and get a report in less than five minutes!

Definition: manager

In business, a manager is a role held by a person who keeps their technical knowledge current, plans work by value, deadline and order, lifts each worker's performance with clear goals and feedback, and shapes a team that works in harmony towards a shared aim.

Show CG4D Definition
Context: Business
Genus: role
Differentia:
  • Maintains up-to-date technical knowledge of the product or service
  • Organises and prioritises work by value, deadline and logical order
  • Motivates each individual through clear goals, feedback and guidance
  • Builds and protects a harmonious team that works towards a common goal

Article Summary

Great managers blend current technical know-how with people skills: they organise tasks by value and deadline, set clear goals, give timely feedback and shape teams that work in harmony; train these habits and high performance follows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.


Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!

Did You Know: Key Statistics

CIPD Learning at Work 2024 shows 83% of UK organisations place leadership and people management as their top training need for the next 12 months. Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2024 finds staff who get weekly manager feedback are 3.2 times more likely to feel engaged and deliver 21% higher output.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Leadership and Management

  • Very good Leadership and Management training
    Join our leadership and management training to master leader vs manager, criticism vs cynicism, opinion vs fact and turn busy work into productive results.
    Read Article >
  • What does it take to become a good leader?
    Discover the seven leadership qualities that turn any manager into a good leader. Learn to take responsibility, set clear goals, motivate teams and drive eff .
    Read Article >
  • Soft Skills For Business Profitability
    Learn soft skills for profitability: motivate staff, set clear goals, persuade clients and close sales. Train these areas to boost productivity and profit.
    Read Article >
  • Management training course
    Choose a management training course that gives clear, action steps. Learn 20 practical skills, grow mental toughness and lead your team to lasting success.
    Read Article >
  • Best Management Books
    Discover the best management books that deliver proven success formulas, boost people management skills and help new managers lead with confidence today.
    Read Article >

Looking for Leadership and Management Training?

If you're looking to develop your Leadership and Management Skills, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:

Open Training Course Pricing and Availability

9 - 10 September
Birmingham
£900 +VAT
15 - 16 September
Online - Teams
£900 +VAT
17 - 18 September
Gloucester (M5 J11)
£900 +VAT
30 Sep - 1 Oct
London - Central
£900 +VAT
More dates and locations available
Save £100 on this course

Next Open Course Starts in 6 days, Birmingham, places available Book Now >