There’s an age-old expression said by Peter Drucker:
It’s an interesting concept to differentiate management from leadership because the two are so intricately related. You really cannot excel at one without the other.
Management competencies are the requirements which ensure that a focused effort enhances productivity and moves the business towards its goals. This is a critical necessity in any business.
Defining Management
Management is about control. Controlling resources, processes, systems, task execution, and information management.
The best and most comprehensive definition of management is the practice of:
- Planning
- Organising
- Coordinating
- Coaching
- Controlling
- Decision Making
- Implementation, and
- Resource Management
The word manage is derived from the Italian word meaning the handle. This is exactly what management is, it is handling of various situations to achieve the company’s ultimate objectives.
Management Skills
The array of skills required to manage is exhaustive. Every scenario and environment will require a particular set. However, there are certain skills, such as communication, delegation, and decision making, which are essential in all environments.
To gain an deeper insight into the skills needed in management, read this blog on Effective Management Skills, published by The Happy Manager.
Defining Competencies
Competencies refer to the knowledge, skills, experience, abilities, and behaviours required in management. This definition of competence is taken from Dr Elana Siew’s book, Competence Refined available on Amazon.com.
Defining Management Competencies
Management competencies can be categorised into three broad categories:
The diagram below gives a good indication of management competencies required in multiple environments:
Management Competencies means juggling numerous responsibilities and people’s actions to ensure that the results are achieved. In order to achieve there is often a need to stand firmly against those who do not perform or do not see the value in performance. Yes, as we know, management is not a popularity contest (as described in SA Business Coaches’ October 2020’s blog on Competence Refined).
The bottom line is that a competent manager is one who gets the job done, according to the right standards, in the right time, and with happy and fulfilled subordinates.