The role of a general manager is an essential and demanding one. A general manager needs to oversee the day-to-day operations of a business, while at the same time, they need to be able to understand the broader goals and strategies of the company. From hiring and training staff, to working with vendors and partners, to managing finances, the job is demanding and requires a wide range of skills and talents. In this blog post, we will explore the key skills needed for a successful general manager; from communication and interpersonal skills, to strategic planning and problem-solving, we will discuss the qualities and characteristics that will help you succeed in this role. Whether you’re just starting out as a general manager, or you have years of experience, these skills are invaluable, and can help you excel in your job and make a real difference in the success of your organization.
Examples of general manager skills
General managers have a large amount of responsibility at work, so they need a specific set of hard and soft skills to do their jobs well. Some examples of essential general manager skills include:
Communication skills
Communication is crucial for many general manager duties, whether it be verbal or written. General managers use these abilities to inform staff, stakeholders, and clients about critical business information. No matter the level of experience or expertise, they must communicate succinctly and clearly to ensure that everyone understands. The ability to actively listen also facilitates fruitful conversations, ensuring that the general manager is aware of and responsive to the needs of their audience. Examples of beneficial communication skills for general managers include:
Leadership skills
General managers supervise employees and their performance at work. These professionals must rely on their leadership, direction, and interpersonal communication skills to manage these workers. Setting objectives and standards for the team may be necessary in this capacity. A good manager sets a good example for their team members by acting with dependability and professionalism at work. General managers who possess strong leadership abilities can encourage and inspire staff members to realize their full potential.
Organization
Many aspects of the departments or organizations they are in charge of are organized by general managers. This ability aids these professionals in making efficient use of their time and resources, ensuring that their department has adequate support in the present and planning for the future. These abilities also help general managers control costs so they can stay within budget and turn a profit because they may oversee the financial aspects of the company.
Additionally, these abilities help general managers improve the conditions of their workplaces. They could, for instance, use these abilities to create project and team goals, project plans, and assign tasks to self-directed teams. These abilities can also assist them in creating schedules for conferences, training sessions, or project milestones and deadlines. Some organization skills that benefit general manager include:
Strategic planning
As leaders, general managers are tasked with developing well-thought-out strategies to position their teams and organizations for the future. Depending on their industry, they might seek to increase customer base, competitive edge, and profits. The general manager can assist in creating strategies in their department to achieve the organization’s goals once they have been established. reviving technological capabilities, hiring new personnel, or boosting productivity levels are some examples. General managers should keep developing and putting into practice strategies and plans to meet needs as they arise and produce beneficial business outcomes. Examples of strategic planning skills include:
Technical skills
To complete daily tasks, general managers frequently use computers and various software. For instance, they might use email to communicate with coworkers or scheduling and bookkeeping software to manage their tasks. Additionally, these professionals might need technical expertise relevant to the sector in which they work. Typically, general managers can learn technical skills through their formal education, on-the-job training, or training programs. Some examples of technical skills for general managers include:
Why are general manager skills important?
General managers carry out a variety of crucial duties for organizations, including budget management, employee development, and business strategy development. These professionals can carry out their duties and maintain the business’s efficiency if they possess general manager skills. For instance, these leadership roles require a lot of organization, direction, and communication skills. These competencies allow general managers to successfully lead their teams and work with stakeholders. Employees can learn the hard and soft skills necessary to be a successful department manager by gaining experience within a company.
How to improve general manager skills
Think about doing the following to enhance your general manager skill set:
1. Identify areas for improvement
By deciding which areas you want to develop as a general manager, you can start improving your abilities. These skills could be hard or soft, like communication or technical expertise with regard to the software you use at work. You can focus on the activities that advance your personal development by setting goals once you’ve identified the specific skills you want to hone.
2. Practice your skills regularly
You can start looking for opportunities to use the skills you want to develop in your daily life once you are aware of what they are. You will feel more at ease using these abilities the more you practice them. To ensure consistent use, try integrating these behaviors into both your professional and personal activities. Additionally, you can create chances for practicing these abilities, like volunteering to take on more obligations. For instance, if you want to improve your public speaking abilities, consider volunteering to present or speak at an event.
3. Consider management training
Continuing your education can help boost your general management skills. You can learn management techniques in a variety of ways, including through seminars and online or in-person courses. You can also benefit from any management training courses your employer provides. These courses can give you specific tools and strategies to improve your general manager performance and skill set. Networking with other professionals who share your interests can happen while you’re attending classes or seminars.
4. Seek feedback
Share your professional development objectives with a coworker, manager, or mentor whenever you can. These people can assist in holding you responsible for developing and employing your desired skills. You can also inquire for advice and criticism about your performance once they are aware of your objectives. Positive feedback can boost your self-esteem and motivation to keep working toward your objectives. Constructive criticism can also help you advance because the givers may spot areas for growth that you yourself missed.
General manager skills in the workplace
The following advice can help you put your growing general manager skills to use at work:
Encourage communication
Many of the responsibilities of a general manager require effective communication, so you should put this skill first as you go about your daily business. By allowing time for questions at the conclusion of a presentation or meeting, for instance, you can practice listening. Additionally, you can hone your communication skills by holding training sessions. By teaching staff members various communication strategies, you can put them into practice. For the purpose of fostering a cooperative and communicative workplace, you might also think about holding more team meetings or social gatherings.
Improve your technical knowledge
You probably use a variety of software and tools as a general manager to carry out your daily duties. However, technology changes rapidly. By taking advantage of opportunities to learn about new technologies, you can improve your work output and maintain your skill set. Additionally, if you regularly perform a task by hand, think about finding tools that could automate it. These tools can make it easier for you to carry out your duties, giving you more time to concentrate on more important work priorities.
Engage your employees
General managers must also possess interpersonal abilities, or the capacity to work well with others. By holding frequent meetings with your employees, you can develop stronger, more reliable relationships with them. Learn more about them, their interests, and any needs they may have by actively listening to them. Having conversations with these people outside of regularly scheduled occasions, like performance reviews, can demonstrate your interest in getting to know them better. When you meet with them, think about keeping the conversation casual to foster rapport and help them feel more at ease.
Practice confidence
You can demonstrate your leadership abilities in the workplace by acting with confidence. Through your body language, you can convey confidence in a straightforward manner. When speaking to others, maintaining eye contact and having good posture can make you seem more confident. When you are self-assured, others may feel more at ease placing their trust in you. This quality may make your team members feel more assured, which could increase output and motivation in your department.
Try new tactics
As a general manager, you might face obstacles at work or have to make crucial choices. By utilizing fresh strategies to overcome these frequent obstacles, you can demonstrate and improve your problem-solving abilities. To create these new strategies, take a different approach or ask for advice from others. Being open to different approaches to solving well-known issues may help you find one that is more successful than your previous ones.
How to highlight general manager skills
Here are some ways to highlight your general management abilities when applying for general manager positions in your resume and in interviews:
General manager skills for your resume and cover letter
There are several opportunities to highlight your pertinent skills when submitting application materials for a general manager position. These details can typically be included in the summary, professional experience, and skills sections of a resume. Use the bulleted list in the “Skills” section to highlight your most significant and pertinent skills. You have the opportunity to briefly discuss how you used your skills to produce successful business results in your summary and professional experience sections.
Examine the job description and note the skills the employer is looking for when deciding which skills to include. To show why you’re a good fit for the job, incorporate these phrases throughout your cover letter and resume. This specific approach may also demonstrate your interest in the position as it demonstrates that you are aware of and capable of meeting the employer’s expectations. Additionally, your cover letter gives you the chance to go into greater detail than a standard one-page resume.
General manager skills for your job interview
You can use the interview to explain experiences and abilities that you didn’t include in your application materials or couldn’t fully describe in them. You can explain how your abilities assisted you in resolving or navigating difficulties at work depending on the question. You could also highlight the abilities you have acquired over the course of your career, based on particular experiences. Employers frequently value candidates who demonstrate a commitment to their professional and personal growth, especially in leadership positions.
Additionally, an interview gives you the chance to demonstrate certain abilities, especially communication To demonstrate your capacity for effective communication as a leader, practice self-assurance, active listening, and clear, considerate responses. Employers can get a better idea of what it would be like to work with you by seeing these skills in action.
What makes a successful General Manager? | London Business School
FAQ
What skills are needed for a general manager?
- Communication skills. …
- Leadership skills. …
- Organization. …
- Strategic planning. …
- Technical skills. …
- Identify areas for improvement. …
- Practice your skills regularly. …
- Consider management training.
What are five 5 important skills every manager should have?
- Demonstrating Trust. …
- Giving Compassionate (and Honest) Feedback. …
- Motivating Others. …
- Giving Credit. …
- Distributing Work.
What makes a strong general manager?
In conclusion, exceptional GMs have a significant impact on their businesses in six key ways. They create a unique workplace, lead creative strategic thinking, effectively use company resources, oversee hiring and resourcing decisions, create a dynamic organization, and manage day-to-day operations.
What are the 3 major role of general manager?
The duties of a general manager include creating policies, managing people, and developing an overall strategy. You must be a thoughtful leader and a self-assured decision-maker to be successful in this position, supporting the growth and productivity of our workforce and ensuring that our profits are increasing.
