What are the Essential Skills for Modern Managers?

As part of my Degree in Business and Management I have been asked to review an article on The 7 Skills for a Successful Career, in which prospects.ac.uk state the following 7 skills:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication and Motivation 
• Organisation and Delegation 
• Forward Planning and Strategic Thinking
• Problem Solving and Decision Making 
• Commercial Awareness
• Mentoring 

Below are my comments on the following areas. 

Interpersonal Skills: Both business and management is all about people at every level. Interpersonal skills are vital for most jobs in the current environment and paramount for management. 

Communication and Motivation: Communicating what the team are aiming and working towards is essential as a manager. This goes somewhat to motivating staff also. 

Organisation and Delegation: Being able to see the bigger picture is part and parcel of leading and organising staff and handing out roles and responsibilities in order to achieve business needs.

Forward Planning and Strategic Thinking: Managers and leaders need ti be thinking of the next issues or opportunities that the organisation faces.

Problem Solving and Decision Making: Being able to identify and alleviate issues and situations that have a potentially detrimental effect to the organisation is a key task of management.

Commercial Awareness: Managers must understand the competitive markets in which they operate. Understanding who are the potential competitors of you organisation is a key part of getting/staying ahead and being the number 1 provider in the areas that you choose.

Mentoring: Teaching the next generation of leaders is essential to ensure business continuity and succession. Effective leaders can identify promising members of staff within the organisation and mentor them to achieve their best for the organisation.