5 CORE SKILLS OF AN EFFECTIVE LEADER

According to one online source, “supervision is the activity carried out by supervisors to oversee the productivity and progress of employees who report directly to the supervisors.” It fits into the management function because “supervision is a management activity and supervisors typically are considered to have a management role in the organization. Supervision is a management role” (McNamara. 2010). 

Since this is the case, it is important to ensure that supervisors have developed the management skills that are needed to carry out their position in an effective manner. This is also because lack of these skills can affect the overall level of not only leader, but employee and organizational success as well. Furthermore, if supervisory leaders do not possess these skills, they may be developed through implementation of a training program that identifies the core skills of an effective manager and how to gain them. After researching several online sources, I would conclude that 5 core skills include:

1. Problem Solving and Decision Making – A leader must be able to address problems and make decisions in a professional and competent manner each time the need arises. This is because no organization will become successful if leaders are unable to complete these successfully. This skill can also be gained by learning how to define the problem, look at potential causes of the problem, identify alternatives for solutions to resolve the problem, being able to select a suitable approach to resolve the problem, planning the implementation and/or action plan, monitoring the action plan and verifying that the problem has been resolved (McNamara. 2010).  

2. Planning – This process [involves selecting missions and objectives and the actions to achieve them. It requires decision-making – i.e., choosing future courses of action from among alternatives. Plans range from overall purposes and objectives to the most detailed actions to be taken. No real plan exists until a decision – a commitment of human and material resources – has been made] (Olum. p. 1). Some methods that can be used to increase this skill include goals, strategies or activities, objectives, tasks and resources (McNamara. 2010).

3. Delegation – This process is completed when leaders assign certain tasks to others. It is important because an organization may reach a higher level of success when all daily tasks are completed in a timely manner. This skill can also be gained by ensuring that certain tasks are delegated to others on a daily basis, instead of trying to take on all of these duties by one’s self.

4. Effective Communication – After reviewing several online sources, I believe that (Mintzberg. 2009), best explains how proper communication can ensure effective managing and/or leading. This is because he states that “managing takes place on three planes, from the conceptual to the concrete: with information, through people, and to action directly” (p. 49). When considering the information plane, he states that this skill can be gained through the use of communicating and controlling internal and external factors. Two components that are included with internal communication are monitoring and nerve center. While, three components included with external communication are spokesperson, nerve center and disseminating. Furthermore, five components that are included with internal control are designing, delegating, deeming, distributing, and designating.

5. Managing One’s Self – According to (Riddle. 2013. p. 1), [this is the most important personal management skill of them all. Without the ability to continue moving forward with personal development you will be unable to recognize the areas that need to be corrected in order to increase your time, financial, communication, and organization skills]. He also states that some steps which can be taken to increase this skill include scheduling weekly self-evaluation appointments, creating personal long term goals and objectives, always remaining open minded and continuing to move forward no matter what. 

References:

McNamara, C. (2010). Free basic guide to leadership and supervision. Free Management Library. Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Retrieved via the World Wide Web at http://managementhelp.org/management/guidebook.htm#anchor1012225  

Mintzberg, H. (2009). Managing. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. San Francisco, Ca.

Olum, Y. (2004). Modern management theories and practices. Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Makerere University. Retrieved via the World Wide Web at http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/AAPAM/UNPAN025765.pdf

Riddle, J. (2013). 5 Personal management skills for being awesome. Retrieved via the World Wide Web at http://workawesome.com/management/personal-management-skills/