Do you have these important qualities of a good manager? [Quiz]

If someone asked you about the worst manager you’ve ever had, you probably would have no trouble thinking of some examples. But what if you had to describe the qualities of a good manager?

That’s a little more difficult to define as there are many factors to consider — and sometimes it seems great bosses are the exception and not the norm. In fact, according to a Robert Half survey, half of workers surveyed have quit a job due to a bad boss at some point during their career.

As you start to plan out next steps in your career, it’ll help to have a solid understanding of the kinds of skills, abilities and competencies successful managers typically have in common. Keep reading to uncover all this information — plus take a short quiz that will help you gauge your management potential.

First, what is the role of a manager?

There are many different kinds of managers, and specific duties will vary depending on the industry, size, mission and type of organization. In general, it’s understood that managers are responsible for guiding, supporting and motivating teams in order to achieve business objectives.

Most organizations are structured in a hierarchical manner, with presidents, CEOs or directors focusing on high-level planning, new business development and investments. Managers are tasked with translating business strategies into action plans for frontline employees. They must balance demands and expectations from executive leadership with the realities and needs of the people performing the work.

What skills do managers need to succeed?

As you can tell by the job description above, being a manager requires a blend of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are practical and/or technical abilities that are typically measurable and developed through education and hands-on experience. Some useful hard skills for managers include:

• Finance
• Project management
• Writing
• Reporting
• Accounting
• Hiring
• Budgeting
• Computer competency
• Database management
• Foreign language fluency

Soft skills are personal characteristics and abilities that are harder to quantify. But make no mistake — well-developed soft skills are absolutely crucial to success as a manger. Examples of soft skills for managers include:

• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Emotional intelligence
• Critical thinking
• Active listening
• Empathy
• Effective communication
• Constructive feedback
• Growth mindset

Do you have the qualities of a good manager?

Being a manager is no easy task; the pressure and responsibility that comes with it can be taxing. But it is extremely rewarding to witness a team of individuals you’re leading find success and help meet organizational goals.

Curious if you’re cut out for the job? To help you gauge your managerial potential, we put together a checklist below.

Get the training you need to become a successful manager

It’s never too late to become the kind of boss you wish you’d had when you were younger. If you’ve confirmed that you possess many of the qualities of a good manager, you’re already well on your way to earning the title you’ve had your eye on.

Pursuing some additional training and education can help you add valuable management skills to your resume. UMass Global offers several high-quality training courses in subjects spanning from management and human resources to diversity and inclusion. Explore our Business and Leadership programs today.