The skills that managers value

The skills that managers value

Keywords Communications, Masters of Business Administration, Skills, Teamworking

Communication skills are the most important asset for middle and senior managers, according to a survey of directors and top executives in a wide range of large, medium-size and small firms.

More than one-third of respondents in the survey, by Brunel Business Graduate School, placed communication skills at the top of their list of desirable skills.

Highly-developed teamworking skills were emphasised by almost a quarter of respondents, while analytical and problem-solving skills were rated No. 1 by one-fifth.

Professional certified technical skills were of primary importance to only 17 per cent of respondents. Presentational skills, negotiating, report writing, data-management skills,computer skills and numeracy were top of the list of only a small minority of those surveyed, and may not be central to the work of middle managers and above.

Networking was the only skill which larger firms (of more than 100 employees) placed significantly higher in importance than smaller firms.

The survey confirmed that large companies are significantly more likely to fund MBA students. As both large and small firms appear to value the kinds of skill which MBA graduates have, the implication is that small firms should consider releasing, sponsoring or part-funding managers to study for MBAs.