Good managers have a blend of different skills that enable them to lead and support their team effectively. In addition to knowing and understanding the tasks that their team are expected to deliver, what sets truly great managers apart from the rest are what is known as their "soft skills". They use these skills to deal with everyday interactions and decisions that allow them to get the best out of their people and win their respect.
Here are some of the most important skills you need to be a great manager, along with some top online courses to help you develop them.
Communication
Good managers don't just need to know what needs to be done. They also need to be able to communicate those requirements clearly and effectively to each member of their team as well as knowing how to listen.
Leadership
Good managers know how to to influence and guide their team toward a common goal. This means providing a clear direction on how each team member can achieve success in their tasks.
Decision Making
Managers have to make important decisions on a daily basis and the result of the choices they make can be key to the success or failure of their department or organisation. Good managers make the right decisions at the right time.
Support and Motivation
Good managers know how to encourage employees to want to work hard and offer support whenever needed. They also give praise when tasks and goals have been successfully achieved.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand or feel what another person is experiencing or feeling, and empathetic managers know how to deal with workplace disputes, team conflicts or an individual's personal issues sensitively and effectively.
Here are some of the most important skills you need to be a great manager, along with some top online courses to help you develop them.
Communication
Good managers don't just need to know what needs to be done. They also need to be able to communicate those requirements clearly and effectively to each member of their team as well as knowing how to listen.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills at Work - FutureLearn
Boost your communication and interpersonal skills for effective workplace communication with this online course from Institute of Coding and University of Leeds.
www.futurelearn.com
Improving Communication Skills
Improve your communication skills with award-winning Wharton professor Maurice Schweitzer. Learn to detect lies, build trust, negotiate, apologize, and choose the right communication medium. Enhance your business and life success with this essential Penn course on Coursera.
www.coursera.org
Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups
Offered by University of Colorado Boulder. Recently revised and updated! Effective teamwork and group communication are essential for your ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
CatalystX: Leading With Effective Communication (Inclusive Leadership Training)
Develop communication skills that bring out the best in you — and in others.
www.edx.org
TecdeMonterreyX: Effective Communication for Today's Leader
Identify and develop the most important communication skills: assertiveness and empathy.
www.edx.org
Leadership
Good managers know how to to influence and guide their team toward a common goal. This means providing a clear direction on how each team member can achieve success in their tasks.
Growing as a Manager - Online Management Course - FutureLearn
Explore the foundations of successful management and take your first step towards Chartered Manager status in this Open University and CMI’s online course.
www.futurelearn.com
Leading a Team - Online Management Course - FutureLearn
Develop a business plan, build a team and take your next step towards Chartered Manager status on with this online course from the Open University and CMI.
www.futurelearn.com
The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
The aim of this course is to give you a practical guide to managing people at work. It does not matter whether you are a first time manager ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader
Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this foundational course, you will be challenged to develop as a leader. You will ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
Decision Making
Managers have to make important decisions on a daily basis and the result of the choices they make can be key to the success or failure of their department or organisation. Good managers make the right decisions at the right time.
Decision Making Choosing the Best Problem to Solve - Online Course - FutureLearn
Build problem-solving skills and learn how to make an effective plan to tackle real-life and workplace decisions from the experts at the University of Leeds.
www.futurelearn.com
Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Offered by University of California, Irvine. Problem-solving and effective decision-making are essential skills in today’s fast-paced and ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
Making Successful Decisions through the Strategy, Law & Ethics Model
Offered by University of Michigan. Successful decision making is based on three key pillars: strategy, law and ethics. After taking this ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
Support and Motivation
Good managers know how to encourage employees to want to work hard and offer support whenever needed. They also give praise when tasks and goals have been successfully achieved.
Inspiring and Motivating Individuals
Offered by University of Michigan. In this course, you will learn how to create a shared vision for your team and effectively communicate it ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
Influencing People
Offered by University of Michigan. This course will improve your ability to influence people in situations where you cannot use formal ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
People Management Skills Course - FutureLearn
Develop your people management skills, find your leadership style and become a successful line manager with this online course by the CIPD.
www.futurelearn.com
Well-being and Welfare at Work - Online Course - FutureLearn
Develop and support the well-being of your staff and take your first step towards Chartered Manager status with this online course from the Open University and CMI.
www.futurelearn.com
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand or feel what another person is experiencing or feeling, and empathetic managers know how to deal with workplace disputes, team conflicts or an individual's personal issues sensitively and effectively.
Diversity Training - Online Course
Understand what diversity is and how to create more inclusive environments with this online diversity course from Purdue University.
www.futurelearn.com
Mediation and Conflict Resolution
Offered by ESSEC Business School. Mediation is a crucial means to reaching peaceful and agreed solutions in today’s world – on an ... Enroll for free.
www.coursera.org
IIMBx: People Management
Learn to be a better manager by developing leadership and communication skills designed to turn first time managers into great team leaders.
www.edx.org