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Table of contents

What are management skills?
Top 10 management skills [+ 50 examples]
Listing manager skills on your resume
How to improve management skills
More skills resources
Management skills — key takeaways

Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey might seem like distant stars in the galaxy of leadership, but the truth is, their journey started with a solid foundation in management skills.

Whether or not you aim to reach such heights — there’s nothing wrong with shooting for the stars! — mastering these skills is your first step up the ladder of success.

Being a manager isn’t easy — only one in five (18%) of those currently in management roles have a high level of aptitude for managing others.

But management skills are important for everyone, regardless of your broader career goals.

Our guide provides a complete overview, featuring:

A working definition of management skills.
Great examples of management skills.
How to add these skills to your resume.
Advice for improving this skill set.
Extra resources for other skill sets.

Are you refreshing your resume? Consider using a AI resume builder. These tools are excellent for quickly assembling your resume and they offer numerous examples of management skills that you can effortlessly incorporate with just a click.

What are management skills?

Management skills are the abilities that enable you to organize, guide and direct a team toward achieving specific goals.

Why are management skills so important? Even if you have no ambitions to become a manager, you’d benefit from understanding this personal skill set and using it in your everyday life. The thing is, management skills speak to your competence in several different ways, from improving team efficiency to resolving conflicts and making strategic decisions.

They’re also relevant in a range of industries, including health care, information technology and retail. You could argue every job includes at least one management skill.

Management skills can be interpersonal skills like leadership, communication and motivation, or they can be hard skills like project management, financial planning and resource allocation. Truly, management skills run the gamut.

Next, we’ll go through many, many more examples that fit the bill.

Top 10 management skills [+ 50 examples]

Management encompasses a broad range of skill sets. It may be useful to break down these skills into distinct categories to give you a better idea of what counts as a management skill.

We’ll show you the top 10 types of management skills, and include a handful of examples of each one. Onward and upward!

Project management

Project management is a role in and of itself, but it’s also a broader skill set that’s helpful in a wide variety of roles. Here are a few project management skills a manager should have:

Task delegation
Scheduling and timeline management
Resource allocation
Risk assessment
Quality control

Communication

Effective communication is the backbone of successful management. It ensures clarity, prevents misunderstandings and builds strong team dynamics. Here are key communication skills every manager needs:

Active listening
Clear and concise writing
Persuasive speaking
Nonverbal communication cues
Presentation skills

Data analysis

In 2024, most professionals have to be familiar with data, but managers most of all need to harness data to drive decisions and strategy effectively. Here are essential data analysis skills for managers:

Statistical analysis
Data visualization
Predictive analytics
Data-driven decision-making
Understanding data privacy standards

Leadership

This one might seem obvious, but it’s not as common as it should be. Managers — good managers — are also good leaders. It’s a pillar of the role. The examples below will help you understand how this shows up in day-to-day work.

Inspiring and motivating others
Ethical judgment and integrity
Conflict resolution
Empowerment and delegation
Visionary thinking

Strategic planning

Strategic planning is crucial for long-term success, helping align the organization’s broader objectives with daily operations. Here are strategic planning skills vital for managers:

Goal setting
Scenario planning
SWOT analysis
Resource forecasting
Market trend evaluation

Change management

Navigating change effectively is a critical skill in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Managers need to manage transitions smoothly and keep teams focused. Essential change management skills include:

Communication of change
Stakeholder engagement
Adaptability and flexibility
Training and development
Monitoring and evaluation of change implementation

Technology

In our digital age, managers must stay abreast of technological advancements that can optimize workflows and enhance team productivity. Key technology skills for managers are:

Software proficiency (CRM, ERP, project management tools)
Remote collaboration technologies
Cybersecurity basics
Data management systems
Technological troubleshooting

Compliance and regulations

Managers must ensure that their teams adhere to industry laws and regulations to avoid legal pitfalls. Here are vital compliance skills:

Knowledge of legal standards
Regulatory research
Compliance reporting
Implementing compliance protocols
Training staff on regulations

Financial management

Strong financial acumen allows managers to make informed fiscal decisions, manage budgets and understand the financial implications of business strategies. Critical financial management skills include:

Budgeting and forecasting
Financial reporting
Cost management
Financial analysis
Revenue generation strategies

Team building

Team building is a skill that any all-star manager will have in her toolbelt, essential for fostering a collaborative and motivated workplace. Here are some team-building skills every manager should cultivate:

Team motivation
Conflict resolution
Performance management
Creating inclusive team environments
Recognition and rewards systems

Listing manager skills on your resume

Skills are more powerful when you put them to good use, and your resume is the perfect platform.

Here, we’ll run down the simple, three-step way to add managerial skills to your resume.

Step 1

Look at the job listing closely

It all begins with the job post. Every time you apply for a job, you should follow these instructions.

Read the job post to identify the management skills. Copy the job post into a separate document and bold all of the relevant skills.

Here’s what that looks like on an actual job description (management skills are in bold):

Responsible for team leadership, resource allocation and project management to meet company goals.
Utilize strategic planning skills to develop departmental strategies.
Enhance team productivity through effective communication and motivational techniques.

This will help you customize your resume for each position. It’s also critical for bypassing the applicant tracking systems (ATS) companies use to block out certain applicants. They program specific keywords a resume must have or it’ll end up in the digital trash bin. By looking at the job ad for these keywords and adding them to your resume, you put yourself in the position to sail past the ATS.

Okay, now it’s time to add these skills to your resume.

Step 2

Include at least one skills section

Let’s integrate the skills above into a resume skills section.

Here’s an example:

Team leadership
Resource allocation
SEO and SEM techniques
Project management
Data Analysis and interpretation
Strategic planning
CRM software proficiency

You can have multiple skills sections, especially if you are changing industries or are early in your career. Functional resume formats are great when you want to highlight skills above work experience because they allow you to focus on your strengths right at the top of your resume.

Pro Tip

Bullet points are a great addition to a skills section, making it easier for hiring managers to read and quickly understand your capabilities.

Step 3

Add skills throughout the rest of your resume

Skills should flow through your resume like a river, seamlessly integrating into each section.

For example, at the top of your resume, you should have a professional summary or resume objective, which are both excellent places to insert a couple of your top skills. In the largest section, your work history, you have ample opportunity to highlight how you’ve used the skills you found in the job ad, such as managing teams in a high-stakes environment or leading strategic initiatives that have successfully driven growth.

Next, let’s walk through how you can improve this skill set.

How to improve management skills

Feel like your management skills need a boost? You’re not alone. Even the greatest managers are always learning, always growing and looking for opportunities to build on what they know.

Here are some tried and true techniques for developing this skill set:

Enroll in online courses. Although nothing beats on-the-job experience, you can hone the skills needed to lead effectively and efficiently by taking online courses.
Attend workshops and seminars. Local business schools often host workshops that can help develop your management capabilities. These are also great networking opportunities.
Read management books. Most of the best managers actively read about management techniques. Whether subscribing to the Harvard Business Review or picking up classics like “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, continuous learning can significantly impact your management style and effectiveness.
Seek mentorship. Sometimes the best way to learn is from the people around you who’ve already been through the ringer. Finding a mentor within your organization or industry can provide personalized guidance and insights that are invaluable for your development as a manager.
Implement feedback systems. Regular feedback from your team can provide insights into your management style and areas for improvement. Tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms can facilitate anonymous feedback surveys.

As we come to a close, I’ll share a few additional resources to help you build your skills, and send you off with the key takeaways based on this guide.

More skills resources

Management skills aren’t the only skill you’ll want to sharpen like a finely honed blade. Check out our other skills guides:

Management skills — key takeaways

Management skills are varied

Managing a team requires proficiency in various skill sets, such as budgeting, project management, change management, data analysis and more.
Continuous learning is key

Engaging in ongoing education through online courses, workshops and reading can significantly improve your management skills.
Develop soft skills

While technical skills are important, soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence and leadership are essential for effective management.
People skills are critical for managers

Constructive feedback from your team can help you identify and refine your management style, and mentors can keep you on the right track.
Embrace technology

Stay updated with the latest technological tools that can aid in effective management, such as project management software and data analysis tools.

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.