Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, you either are a manager or you want to become one in the future. You may want to manage a small department, run a human resources group, or maybe even own your own company. Today I’m speaking to those of you looking to work your way up the corporate ladder and become not just managers, but successful managers – no matter what kind.
I truly believe that managers are made – they’re not born. Sure, some people have natural skills that make it easier for them to communicate with people and make difficult decisions but they still need to hone those skills in order to become effective.
There are, as we’ve discussed in the past, dozens of different skills a manager needs to have in order to become successful. The question, though, is how you’re going to obtain those skills. There are two main ways:
You’re gonig to enroll in a formal course (either in college or through your employer) and build a solid foundation. It is more common than not for individuals with college degrees to have an easier time moving up in management than those without, so keep your education in mind at all times.
Second, you’re going to gain on-the job experience. What you learn in school will prove worthless if you never have the opportunity to practice. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a manager in order to gain managerial experience. You’ll gain that experience by taking on special projects, managing your own work flow, and learning from your peers and superiors.
As you can tell, it’s ultimately going to be your responsibility to seek out the additional education and training you need to become a successful manager. On the other hand, those already in upper and middle management positions are usually watching for employees who are motivated enough to do so and, in response, will usually help them find their way onto the management track.
