Management is a challenging job. It needs specific skills to achieve such a challenge. Thus, necessary abilities which every supervisor needs for doing a much better management are called as Managerial Skills. According to Teacher Daniel Katz, there are 3 managerial skills, viz.,
1. Conceptual Abilities,
2. Human Relations Skills, and
3. Technical Abilities
According to Prof. Daniel Katz, all managers require above 3 supervisory skills. However, the degree (amount) of these abilities needed differs (modifications) from levels of management and from an organisation to organisation.
The above picture or diagram reveals the supervisory skills which are required by supervisors operating at different levels of management. The top-level managers need more conceptual skills and less technical abilities. The lower-level managers need more technical abilities and fewer conceptual skills. Human relations skills are needed equally by all three levels of management.
1. Conceptual Skills
Conceptual skill is the capability to visualise (see) the organisation as a whole. It consists of Analytical, Creative and Effort abilities. It assists the supervisor to recognize the causes of the issues and not the signs.
It assists him to solve the problems for the advantage of the entire organisation. It helps the supervisor to repair objectives for the entire organisation and to plan for every scenario. According to Prof. Daniel Katz, conceptual skills are primarily needed by the high-level management due to the fact that they invest more time in preparation, arranging and problem resolving.
2. Human Relations Abilities.
Human relations skills are also called Social abilities. It is an ability to deal with individuals.
It helps the supervisors to understand, interact and work with others. It also assists the supervisors to lead, motivate and establish team spirit. Human relations abilities are needed by all managers at all levels of management. This is so, since all supervisors need to connect and work with people.
3. Technical Skills
A technical skill is the ability to perform the given job. Technical skills help the managers to use different machines and tools. It also helps them to use various procedures and techniques. The low-level managers require more technical skills. This is because they are incharge of the actual operations. Apart from Prof. Daniel Katz’s three managerial skills, a manager also needs (requires) following additional managerial skills.
4. Communication Skills
Communication skills are required equally at all three levels of management. A manager must be able to communicate the plans and policies to the workers. Similarly, he must listen and solve the problems of the workers. He must encourage a free-flow of communication in the organisation.
5. Administrative Skills
Administrative skills are required at the top-level management. The top-level managers should know how to make plans and policies. They should also know how to get the work done. They should be able to co-ordinate different activities of the organisation. They should also be able to control the full organisation.
6. Leadership Skills
Leadership skill is the ability to influence human behaviour. A manager requires leadership skills to motivate the workers. These skills help the Manager to get the work done through the workers.
7. Problem Solving Skills
Problem solving skills are also called as Design skills. A manager should know how to identify a problem. He should also possess an ability to find a best solution for solving any specific problem. This requires intelligence, experience and up-to-date knowledge of the latest developments.
8. Decision Making Skills
Decision-making skills are required at all levels of management. However, it is required more at the top-level of management. A manager must be able to take quick and correct decisions. He must also be able to implement his decision wisely. The success or failure of a manager depends upon the correctness of his decisions.