Top 10 Soft Skills for Managers

by Julie Davoren Google

Companies no longer concentrate on acquiring people with strong functional competencies. They also want people with equally strong behavioral competencies, also known as soft skills. These skills help determine how well you'll perform on the job. Sometimes, soft skills develop over a lifetime of experiences; other times they are natural talents that you must hone. They are important because they help you build relationships and achieve results.

Active Listener

Managers must have the ability to understand what their subordinates are saying. Active listening helps managers understand their employees' true problems, Intentions and issues. It also builds rapport among subordinates and other managers. Active listening is important for a managers because it helps in avoiding conflicts and helps deal with people accordingly.

Emotional Intelligence

As a manager, you'll need to understand the emotional depth of your subordinates. Some people like independence, while some work better if they receive directions. Allocation of roles and responsibilities without understanding the nature of subordinates slows down the pace with which you can achieve assigned objectives.

Constructive Appraiser

Employees often make mistakes. They also produce great output. A manager needs to provide feedback in both circumstances. If an employee blunders, you should be able to convey criticism in a positive or constructive way. This is an opportunity for the employee to learn and grow and not a time to ridicule and discourage. If your staff members perform well, appreciate and recognize their efforts and provide them with tips for further improvement.


Managers are sometimes seen as bosses with an aura of strictness around them. Although some distance is necessary, you should be open enough to help your employees advance in their jobs. As manager, you are in an ideal position to pass on experience or resources that can help your employees learn new skills and abilities, and thus, improve performance.

Body Language Control

Your staff members observe all your moves. They generate responses and alter behavior based on your behavior. Therefore, it is crucial that you think about the intent of your message and the responses you want from your employees. When you concentrate on your intent, your body language and your words will naturally align.

Proper Etiquette

Managers are role models for employees. You must maintain good manners in all your communications. Whether on the phone, in e-mail or talking face to face, you should be courteous and understanding. Your goal is to make your employees and colleagues feel comfortable around you and trust you. Ill treatment of employees can lead to poor performance, frequent call-offs and low productivity.

Focus on Outcome

Managers keep their eyes on results and the process that achieves positive outcomes. When employees know the outcomes you expect, they work more efficiently. This is because they know why they are completing tasks and can, therefore, eliminate tasks that don't make sense and add processes that bring about the desired outcome.

Continuous Learner

To be a good manager, you should never block new ideas. You should be able to think objectively and learn continuously from engagements in different professional capacities. This includes learning from your employees, peers and your own superiors. Continued learning helps you grow in your career, which means you can bring more value to your employer.


Everyone has weaknesses. To become a good manager you should be able to evaluate yourself. This means being aware of your own weaknesses. You'll need to eliminate weaknesses that hinder progress on your team. Know your limitations and find ways to work around or improve them.


Trust and calmness prevails in an environment where managers do what they tell others to do. Such an attitude makes it easy for employees to follow your leadership. It also enables you stand out as a role model and motivator for your team.

Photo Credits

  • Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
Suggest an Article Correction