Overview

"Management is the art of getting things done through people" (Mary Parker Follett) ... and is often considered to be whatever needs to be done just to keep things afloat. However, for an organisation to grow and remain healthy, certain basic skills in management and leadership must be present irrespective of the business of that organisation - skills that will help to avoid the crisis situations where managers have to do "whatever it takes to stay afloat".

There are a multitude of views on what are the most critical skills or attributes for effective managers, but the consensus includes the following:

• Communications and interpersonal skills
• The ability to manage change
• Analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
• Planning skills
• The ability to manage meetings
• Delegation skills
• The ability to motivate
• The ability to manage yourself.

To a large extent these skills may be learned or developed, but there is always a place for helping individuals consider and develop these through training.

Good managers will also possess additional personal characteristics, including:

• Persistence in overcoming difficulties
• Working hard
• Being passionate about their work
• Being a strategic / visionary thinker
• Having an ethical orientation.

The effective 21st century manager is likely to be a transformational leader, that is, a change agent who, through the use of interpersonal skills and analytical application, is able to motivate others by sharing a strategic vision, while at the same time adhering to a rigorous ethical code.

Resources

There are literally thousands of books, websites and courses devoted to the subject of management. A search using any of the leading search engine websites will produce references to many training providers and authors on management skills development.

Within the NHS, Workforce Development Leads as well as Education, Training & Development (ETD) Leads should be able to provide details of learning and development opportunities available to staff locally, either in-house or from accredited commercial suppliers.

• The NHS Careers website provides an introduction to the range of careers in NHS management, with links to details and requirements for specific roles.

Further information

• The Institute of Healthcare Management is the professional organisation for managers throughout healthcare.
• The British Association of Medical Managers is a leader in the provision of leadership and management training for clinical managers.
• One of the main aims of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is to lead in the development and promotion of good practice in the management and development of people.
• The Chartered Management Institute is the only chartered professional body that is dedicated to management and leadership.