Practical management skills can make or break your business success. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, it’s not enough to simply have a great product or service. You need to be able to effectively communicate with your team, understand and manage your customers’ emotional needs, coach and develop your employees’ skills, and stay on course to reach your targets and goals.
There are numerous studies that show just how crucial practical management skills are to customer behaviour and business success.
For example, a study by Gallup found that engaged employees have “higher wellbeing, better retention, lower absenteeism and higher productivity”. And what drives employee engagement? Effective management.
Another study by the Harvard Business Review found that high-performing teams have managers who are skilled in communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. These managers create a positive and supportive work environment, which leads to higher levels of employee engagement and productivity.
But it’s not just about your team.
Practical management skills are also essential when it comes to customer behaviour. A study by Forrester Research found that companies with strong customer experience outperformed their competitors by a whopping amount.
And what drives a strong customer experience? Managers who understand their customers’ emotional needs, communicate effectively with them, and develop strategies to meet their needs are the ones who tend to succeed in today’s customer-centric business landscape.
So, what are some of these practical management skills that are so crucial to business success?
Let’s break them down.
Effective communication
Being able to communicate effectively with your team and customers is crucial to success. You need to be able to clearly articulate your vision, goals and expectations, as well as listen actively to feedback and concerns.
Emotional intelligence
Understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as those of your team and customers, is a key component. Emotional intelligence helps you build stronger relationships, navigate conflicts, and create a positive and productive work environment.
Coaching and development skills
Developing your employees’ skills and abilities is essential for both their personal growth and the success of your business. Effective coaching and development skills help you identify your team’s strengths and weaknesses, provide constructive feedback, and create opportunities for growth and development.
Target setting and achieving
Finally, practical management skills also involve setting clear targets and goals, creating actionable plans to achieve them, and monitoring progress along the way. This helps you stay focused and on track and ensure that you’re making progress towards your ultimate vision and goals.
So, if you’ve been putting off developing your practical management skills, now is the time to take action. Don’t let your business or organisation suffer. Invest in yourself and your team by attending management workshops, courses, or leadership coaching sessions.
You won’t regret it.
Rapport Leadership takes a practical approach to management training. Details of the next Management Skills for Managers and Leaders Two Day Workshop here.
