Successful managers need to master a number of soft-skills including communication, organisation, decision-making and delegation, as well as technical skills and strategic thinking to drive business success.
If you’re striving for professional and personal development in your career, a focus on improving your managerial skills will greatly enhance your career progression.
We’ve outlined a number ways that you can actively improve your leadership skills in order to excel as a manager.
Build your personal brand
A personal brand is the impression you project to others. Building a strong personal brand is a good strategy for success and will help you to clearly define yourself as a trustworthy leader. Your personal narrative should embody your values, the qualities that make you unique and the goals you wish to accomplish. Always remember to consider the impact you have on others, as you’re ultimately building your brand to make a positive, lasting impression.
You can read more about why you should build a personal brand here.
Consider a distributed leadership approach
If you’re finding it difficult to juggle all the responsibilities that come with being a manager, it could be useful to consider a distributed leadership approach. This approach involves empowering capable individuals to support you in your role. By allocating responsibility and accountability throughout your organisation, you can develop more efficient ways of working across the entire business.
Learn more about the benefits of distributed leadership here.
Improve your communication skills
Learn to communicate well and often. Practice transparency, actively listen and action an open-door policy.
Make a habit of getting together regularly either with your team or in one-on-one catch ups. They don’t need to be lengthy; short catch ups will enable you to give constructive feedback and provide the support your team needs to be productive. Use a combination of verbal and written communication. Connect with your team verbally to introduce projects and goals, and reinforce your vision with written communication.
If you’re working remotely, try to communicate with your team even more frequently than usual.
Develop good presentation skills
Effective presentation skills are crucial for individuals in management positions. Whether presenting to your own team or senior leaders, impactful communication will boost your credibility and leave a lasting impression.
There’s more to presenting than simply speaking with confidence. Move with purpose, smile and make eye contact. Ask questions, give your audience an opportunity to participate and encourage a more natural and conversational approach to keep yourself and your audience relaxed.
What about online presentations? It’s likely you’re presenting more frequently using Zoom or another online platform, but how do you adapt your skills to keep an online audience engaged? Your presentations need to be punchier and more convincing than ever. Always start with yourself on screen before your slides to build a rapport and ease your audience into the presentation. Polls and breakout rooms are also a good way to keep them engaged.
Whether online or in person, ensure you’ve tried and tested your equipment to ensure everything runs smoothly and you don’t lose your audience due to technology failure.
If presenting doesn’t come naturally to you or your nerves tend to get the better of you, there is an abundance of short courses and coaching programs available to help you improve.
Get qualified
Effective leaders are those who are constantly striving to learn more and upskill in every stage of their career. The experience you’re gathering on a daily basis in the field could make you eligible for a formal qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) could help you achieve a qualification with the experience you already have.
Which qualification is best for you?
A Diploma of Leadership and Management – BSB50420 offered by Skills Recognition International (RTO: 32373), could be beneficial if you currently apply practical skills, knowledge and experience as a manager across a range of contexts within your industry.
Alternatively, you could fulfill the requirements to achieve a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management – BSB42015, offered by Skills Recognition International (RTO: 32373), Asset Training Australia (RTO: 31718), Spectrum Organization (RTO: 2441), College Australia (RTO: 31222) and HS Business School (RTO: 32493). If you’re an emerging or developing leader who is currently responsible for providing guidance, leadership and support; this qualification will benefit your career progression.
If you’re interested in leadership growth and are striving to have a greater impact on the performance of your team, develop and qualify your management skills today. Take our free skills test to see if RPL can benefit your progression.
