Management Skills Flashcards
What is communication?
Communication is the ability to create and exchange information between people that produces the required response and understanding, and involves listening to feedback.
Why/When is communication required?
Effective communication (non verbal and verbal) is required:
- when explaining a vision
- when organisational changes occur
- to lay down expectations
- for answering questions from staff
- when introducing new policies
- when listening to feedback from stakeholders
What is delegation?
Delegation is the transfer of authority and responsibility from a manager to an employee to carry out specific activities, perform tasks or make decisions.
Why/When is delegation appropriate to use?
Delegation is an appropriate skill to use:
- in order to manage time efficiently
- to produce fresh ideas
- to enable staff to learn new skills
- to improve employee motivation
What is negotiation?
A method of resolving disputes whereby discussions between parties result in a compromise and a formal or informal agreement about a dispute.
What should managers do when negotiating?
When negotiating, managers should:
- try to put themselves in the shoes of the other party
- encourage the discussion of each side’s perceptions
- allow the other party to participate in the process, so they feel involved
- listen actively and acknowledge what is being said
- speak clearly and purposefully
- build a working relationship with the other party
What is team building?
Team building is management’s ability to work cohesively with staff, and interact and encourage staff to be involved in decision making processes.
What does empower mean?
To empower employees is to include them fully in the decision making process, provide them with autonomy, give them trust, training and development, and rewards to enable them to work as a team.
What is problem solving?
Problem solving is the ability to search for, identify and then implement a course of action to correct an unworkable situation.
What is Decision making?
Decision making is the ability of identifying the available strategic alternatives and then choosing the best course of action to achieve objectives. Effective decision making involves decisions being made within a particular time frame and managers being able to assess the risks related to the decision if it is implemented.
What are the steps in a problem solving/decision making process?
- Define the objective on solving problems and causes
- Outline facts and gather relevant information
- Decide on the causes of the problem (only problem solving)
- Develop and analyse several alternatives
- Select preferred alternative and implement it
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution
What is Time management?
Time mangement is the effective utilisation of work time, which involves prioritising tasks, setting deadlines and avoiding time wasting activities.
What is stress management?
Stress refers to the state of mental or emotional strain that develops in staff due to demanding circumstances. Stress management is the ability of a manager to control the level of stress that develops in themselves and employees of the organisation.
What are the typical causes of stress in an organisation?
- working long hours
- dealing with new technology
- fear of losing a job
- frustration with poor organisational systems and processes
- family problems
How can levels of stress in the workplace be reduced?
- better time management
- flexible work arrangements
- stress reducing activities e.g. Exercise, social events
- delegation of tasks
- compulsory leave
