So You Want To Be a Manager: The Essentials

I’ve been a manager for most of my career, and while I find it incredibly rewarding, I spent many years building proficiency and confidence in the role. After being promoted from a high-performing individual contributor to a manager, I was essentially thrown into the deep end with little formal training. I’ve learned over the years that this experience is surprisingly common. Many talented individuals are selected for management roles based on their individual achievements. However, the skills needed to excel as an individual contributor don’t always translate to effective leadership. And not everyone enjoys being a manager.

This is important because studies consistently demonstrate a strong correlation between employee engagement and organizational success. In fact, the Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2024 report highlights that 70% of employee engagement depends on the quality of the employee's relationship with their manager. I've personally found this to be true as well - having a manager that I trust and respect strengthens my motivation, commitment, and job satisfaction; on the flip side, I have left jobs due to poor leadership. This underscores why understanding the core responsibilities and essential skills is crucial for anyone aspiring to be a successful manager.

So what does it take to be an effective manager? I often get this question from aspiring and new managers. Management roles are appealing because they open the door for greater impact and influence in the organization, higher pay, career advancement, and the opportunity to mentor and guide others. For me, shaping careers and contributing to my team’s success has been incredibly motivating and rewarding.

In this article, we’ll discuss the core responsibilities of managers, the essential skills for success, and how to prepare for a future management role.

Core Responsibilities of Managers

Let’s start with what managers do. There's a lot more to it than being a boss who gives orders. A manager’s role is to achieve organizational goals by effectively managing people, money, and operations. While specific responsibilities can vary by industry, organization, and level, here are some of the common threads across most management roles:

• Leading and Developing Teams:

  • Setting and communicating the team mission, vision, and objectives

  • Motivating the team and managing morale

  • Delegating effectively

  • Mentoring and coaching team members

  • Making key decisions for the team

• Managing Performance:

  • Setting clear expectations and tracking progress

  • Providing constructive feedback

  • Conducting performance reviews

  • Recognizing and rewarding high performance

  • Addressing performance issues effectively

• Building a Positive Team Culture:

  • Building trust and inclusivity within the team

  • Resolving conflicts

  • Facilitating effective communication and collaboration

  • Supporting employee well-being

• Hiring and Onboarding:

  • Participating in the hiring process: writing job descriptions, screening applicants, interviewing, etc.

  • Onboarding new team members and ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed

• Administrative Tasks:

  • Managing budgets

  • Approving expenses

  • Reporting on team performance

  • Making compensation decisions.

Within an organization, there are typically multiple levels of management. Entry level might be a supervisor, team lead, or assistant manager role. Then responsibilities can expand for middle-level managers overseeing other managers and departments, and ultimately, top-level managers or executives responsible for the overall direction of the organization.

Essential Management Skills

To effectively fulfill these responsibilities, managers need a diverse skill set. Here are some of the essential skills that will enable you to lead and develop your team, navigate challenges, and build a thriving work environment.

• People Skills:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication

  • Active listening and empathetic communication

  • Clear and concise instruction 

  • Delivering constructive feedback effectively

  • Building and maintaining relationships

  • Conflict resolution and negotiation 

• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving:

  • Analytical and critical thinking skills

  • Ability to make sound decisions under pressure

  • Problem-solving and issue-resolution skills

• Organizational & Time Management:

  • Strong organizational and time management skills

  • Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

While you do not need to have mastered all of these skills to become an entry-level manager, the nature of the work is quite different from an individual contributor role.

How to Prepare for a Management Role

If you’re interested in becoming a manager, making the transition to management may be easier within your current team or organization. My first manager roles came about when my team was growing, and my boss asked me to lead a subset of my peers. After that, I started as an individual contributor in several subsequent jobs, but was soon entrusted with people management responsibilities because of my prior experience. When filling management roles, I strongly prefer candidates with existing management experience or whose track record already gives a glimpse into their relevant skills and potential.

Here are some ways you can prepare and position yourself:

• Gain Relevant Experience:

  • Develop strong individual contributor skills

  • Seek out opportunities to lead projects and initiatives

  • Volunteer for leadership roles within your organization

• Develop Essential Skills:

  • Pursue leadership training

  • Seek out mentorship and coaching from experienced managers

  • Practice and refine your leadership and management skills

  • Mentor junior team members

• Network and Build Relationships:

  • Build strong relationships with peers and leaders

  • Attend industry events and conferences

  • Leverage professional networking platforms

• Demonstrate Leadership Potential:

  • Take initiative and go above and beyond expectations

  • Be a role model for others

  • Show a commitment to continuous learning and growth

• Highlight Your Achievements:

  • Keep track of your accomplishments and contributions

  • Update your resume and LinkedIn profile regularly

  • Be prepared to discuss your leadership experiences in interviews

Good people management is important for the health and performance of a team. We’ve explored some of the benefits and how you can prepare yourself for the role, but it’s also helpful to consider whether managing is right for you. While managers tend to be more engaged in their work, it’s a tough job that can be draining. Next time, I’ll dig further into some of the challenges of being a manager, management styles, and more.