essay on good management skills

78 Management Skills Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on management skills, 👍 good management skills research topics & essay examples, 🎓 most interesting management skills research titles, 💡 simple management skills essay ideas.

• Starbucks Corporation’s Management Skills
• Study Skills and Time Management in Education
• Management Skills: Literature Review
• Study Skill of Time Management
• Practicum Project on Developing and Strengthening Leadership and Management Skills of Nurses
• Project Management and Important Skills
• Virtual Team Management: Skills and Practices
• Management Skills Course Reflections Effective management has usually been associated with teamwork, or group work, which was the same for me, before listening to the lecture.
• Practical Management Skills and Practices The paper addresses the areas of concern of SNHU Pet Supply Company and develops a plan to rebuild the team’s culture and align the practices.
• Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services Reflecting on the chapter on ethics and other professional responsibilities for human service workers provides valuable insight into how ethics codes are critical to a productive.
• Concepts and Skills in Modern Management This paper aims to explore concepts and skills in modern management, such as expertise, creative thinking skills, motivation, creativity, and innovation.
• Core Classroom Management Competencies and Skills of High-School Teachers in the Digital Era The modern educational field is continuously undergoing the influence of multiple factors within the social, political, economic, and technological environments.
• Management Skills Research Papers: The Process of Researching The proper research, should be based on the principles of implementation the innovative managerial skills and the issues of the adjustment of the effective working atmosphere.
• Effective Management Skills Lecture Reflection Effective management is associated with the power to influence and persuade others to work towards common organizational goals.
• Good Time Management and Delegation Skills The management skills of good time management and delegation. These two skills of management are very much closely related and even to a particular extend they move together.
• Applied Management: Developing Leadership Skills Leadership development refers to any activity that enhances the quality of leadership within an individual or organization.
• Human Resource Management: Skills and Requirements The efficient human resource manager chooses regarding candidates employment and responsibilities distribution and concerns the strategies for employees’ skills training.
• Seminar: Skills for Project Management Valuable individual skills that are usually associated with managers are creativity, the ability to negotiate, risk management, and strategic thinking.
• Leadership Skills vs. Management Skills For any person who leads others and is responsible for specific actions, it is essential to have the qualities of an effective leader and to be a good manager.
• Essential Skills for Effective Leadership and Management In The 48 Laws of Power, Greene outlines the best ways through which leaders and managers can exercise power over their circumstances to become better than their competitors.
• Financial Planning. Money Management Skill Financial literacy can be defined as knowledge about financial planning and management that allows making reasonable choices about money spending and saving.
• The Yang Sing Hotel’s People Management Skills The Yang Sing Hotel provided custom-made superior services and accommodation at a premium notwithstanding market-monitored rates.
• Project Selection Approaches and Management Skills Project management is a diverse field that unites a multi-disciplinary team, and their collaboration and the exchange of experiences represent a fruitful area of exploration.
• Effective Management: Basic Rules and Skills Required There are a number of rules of management and skills a manager should possess in order to observe efficient operations at their workplace.
• Conflict Management as an Essential Skill Conflict management should be one of the critical competencies of modern leaders. This paper shows the crucial status of effective conflict management in the 21st century.
• HR Management Skill Set in Health Care It is necessary to note that an HR manager is expected to have an outstanding knowledge of the industry, and some aspects are incredibly valued by employers.
• Crucial Management Skills: Assessment and Development The purpose of this paper is to rank all the techniques in management from the most essential to the least important.
• Time Management Skills in Leadership While leadership’s goal is to push forward and develop, management tends to find faults in the present state of a system and fix them.
• Management Skill: Personal and Professional Development Management skills in the context of personal and professional development are a very important issue in modern corporate world.
• Management Skills Development in Volunteers Activities of the volunteers’ group are studied to identify different issues that are important in regards to the development of management skills.
• Management Skills Learning and Development Plan Examination of career goals and career opportunities for an accountant in the finance department of a hotel, based on the personal experience of the author.
• Contemporary Management Skills: Development Plan Career planning is one of the very important resolutions and can happen only once in anyone’s life, but for this, I have to identify and redefine my goals.
• Skill Discovery in Business Management The main function of the management is to determine those things that should be done in the organisation and ensuring that results are achieved.
• The Brand Management Job: Skills and Functions Brand managers work in a spectrum of industries. They endeavor to develop an easily recognizable image for products and services.
• Developing and Management Skill Management is a complex field that requires a comprehensive approach in order to satisfy the expectations of the stakeholders.
• Self-Management Skills in Chronic Disease Management If a patient does not know how to manage his or her condition and engage in effective self-care, negative health outcomes can be expected.
• Conflict Management and Leadership Skills A conflict is a disagreement between two parties of different levels. This essay explores methods of conflict resolution and leadership skills that can be applied in business.
• Psychology Issues: Stress Management Skills Stress management is a skill that is required in everyday life, and that is why it is important. People face stress in almost every part of their life.
• Auditing Leadership and Management Skills Within Company Effectively
• Information Technology Project Management Skills
• Time Management Skills and Academic Performance
• Essential Nonprofit Management Skills and Development Tips
• Adopting Anger Management Skills That Work
• How Students Can Improve Their Self-discipline and Time Management Skills
• Time Management Skills: Sorting and Prioritizing
• Self Assessment Test Related Project Management Skills
• Management Skills Philosophies and Motivation
• Teaching and Management Skills Necessary for All Children
• Time Management Skills for Distance Learning
• The People Management Skills You Need To Succeed as a Manager
• How Time Management Skills Can Effect Educational Achievement
• Management Skills Need for the Business Successful
• The Conflict Management Skills Needed for Work
• Classroom Management Skills Can Foster Academic Achievement
• Management Skills and Employees’ Job Satisfaction
• Effective Instructional Strategies and Classroom Management Skills
• Teens Must Develop Financial Management Skills
• Management Skills Difference Between Low and High R&D Concentration Firms
• What Are the Essential Skills for Security Management?
• Time Management Skills and Project Management Skills
• Procrastination and Time Management Skills
• Why College Students Have Poor Management Skills
• Effective Management Skills Required Managers
• What Affects Teachers’ Classroom Management Skills
• Myers Briggs Personality Test and Management Skills
• Leadership Styles, Characteristics, and Management Skills
• How Leadership and Management Skills Demonstrate Success
• Ford Motor Company CEO Alex Trotman and His Management Skills
• Physician Health Management Skills and Patient Outcomes
• Management Skills and Strategies For Personal Improvement
• Information Technology Management Skills Research
• What Is a SWOT Analysis and Why Is It Important to Managers?
• Effective Communication and Guided Leadership Management Skills
• Teaching Preschools Conflict Management Skills
• Management Skills for Products and Services
• Effective Policy Advocacy and Management Skills
• Difference Between Management Skills and Entrepreneurship
• Are Management Skills Different Today From 50 Years Ago

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These essay examples and topics on Management Skills were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 24, 2024 .

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Ask an Expert: What Skills Do I Need to Become a Great Manager?

• Ursula Kralova

Focus on clarity, trust, and openness.

What do great managers do differently? Though we each have unique qualities, there are a few key traits that all good managers focus on: clarity, trust, and openness. As you make your first foray into management, here are some actions you can adopt that will help you work towards these qualities.

• Be detailed about the “what” and “why” of your expectations. Every time you give a team member an assignment — whether it is a large project or a small task — be clear from the beginning about why you’re asking for something to be done and what output is expected.
• Next, remember that trust is given, not earned. People are hired because they are experts in their field or show potential to do great work. Withholding trust can make them feel you’re not acknowledging the skills that brought them to the table. You should trust that they have the competency to do the work and that you can rely on them.
• Finally, build a culture of feedback from the start. Feedback goes both ways. Set the tone for open communication early on by setting up regular (weekly or biweekly) one-on-one meetings with each member of your team and frequently asking them to share their thoughts about how you could improve or how you can better work together.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

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• U Ursula Kralova is a senior executive with over 20 years of experience. Passionate about customers, people, and performance improvement, she is the Chief People Officer at Bloomreach , a leading commerce experience cloud that powers the equivalent of 25% of e-commerce in the U.S. and the UK.

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7 Skills You Need to Effectively Manage Teams

• 07 Jan 2020

To effectively manage a team, you need several key characteristics and skills. Without them, it can be difficult to rally your employees to work toward common goals and perform at their best—which can be disastrous for both your organization and career.

Whether you're an aspiring manager, newly appointed leader without a lot of experience, or seasoned executive who's had difficulty overseeing your team, developing these critical skills will prove crucial to your success.

Access your free e-book today.

Team Management Skills All Professionals Need

1. clear, effective communication.

As a manager, your goal is to help the members of your team complete tasks in a manner that is efficient, consistent, and aligns with the company’s overarching strategic goals. To accomplish this, you must clearly articulate what those strategic goals are—while also detailing the specific work and processes that will be required of your team to reach them.

By becoming a more effective communicator , you'll remove confusion among your team and ensure everyone is aligned and working toward the same goals.

2. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to an individual’s ability to manage their emotions, as well as those of others.

A highly developed level of emotional intelligence is a hallmark of strong managers and leaders. Someone with a keen sense of self-awareness, empathy, and other social skills is someone who can motivate and influence others —an important quality for managers to exhibit.

3. Organization

You may be responsible for overseeing budgets and project timelines in addition to the daily tasks that members of your team perform. Juggling so many moving pieces and making necessary adjustments along the way requires a high degree of organization.

4. Ability to Delegate

However tempting it might be for you to micromanage members of your team, doing so can be detrimental to progress.

A good manager knows how to delegate work to others. This involves understanding who's best suited to complete a particular task. It also requires ensuring an employee has the required resources to be successful and feels empowered to make their own decisions.

5. Openness

Openness goes hand in hand with both emotional intelligence and effective communication.

It’s important that the members of your team feel comfortable approaching you when they have questions or concerns, or when they need clarification on what's expected of them. If your employees don't believe they can reach out to you, there’s a risk that problems or concerns will go unaddressed before it's too late to correct them.

6. Problem-Solving

No matter how well prepared, organized, or established a project or process is, every manager runs into problems. This could be in the form of a missed deadline or milestone. It could be budgetary in nature. It could involve an unforeseen breakdown in the supply chain.

Whatever the case, managers must be skilled problem-solvers. The ability to evaluate a challenge, think critically about potential solutions, and formulate a response are essential to anyone who's tasked with leading a team.

7. Decision-Making

Over the course of a day, managers might be responsible for making a number of decisions that impact their team or the project they're overseeing. Prioritizing tasks, allocating resources, delegating duties—each of these is a decision that falls to the manager.

Sometimes, a manager will need to make an authoritative decision to resolve an issue. Other times, decision-making might involve consensus building, wherein members of the team are invited to participate in the discussion and help guide the process. Ultimately, the manager is responsible for the outcome of the decision and, as such, must be comfortable with ensuing results.

How You Can Develop Your Team Management Skills

If you want to take your team management skills to the next level, there are several steps you can take to improve them. These include:

• Taking stock of your current skills. To chart a path for your professional development, you first need to understand where your management skills currently stand . What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Where are your greatest opportunities to turn development into career success? These insights will help you create a plan that's right for you.
• Setting goals for improvement and development. Once you have a sense of your current skills, you need to set goals for your development efforts. Which skills do you need to improve? How will you measure success? What is your timeframe? By setting specific and attainable goals, you give yourself something to work toward and increase your chances of success.
• Inviting feedback from your team. If you're unsure about your current abilities or where you should prioritize growth, consider turning to co-workers for feedback. This can be invaluable in helping you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Practicing your skills. Practice your skills both in and out of the office. If you find that a project has suffered setbacks due to poor communication, for example, identify the point of confusion and make a mental note to avoid this in the future. Or, if a project has become bogged down due to micromanaging, find methods to help you manage from a perch instead of down in the trenches.
• Pursuing professional development. Professional development can be a valuable asset in helping you reach your managerial potential. Signing up for a management training course can help you quickly develop your management skills, while pursuing mentorship opportunities can aid you throughout the trajectory of your career.

In Management Essentials , students are given the tools and opportunities they will need to improve their management skills and become more effective managers within their organization. Is Management Essentials the right HBS Online leadership and management course for you? Download the free flowchart to find out.

About the Author

Management Skills

A list of attributes or abilities that an executive should possess in order to fulfill specific tasks in an organization

What are Management Skills?

Management skills can be defined as certain attributes or abilities that an executive should possess in order to fulfill specific tasks in an organization. They include the capacity to perform executive duties in an organization while avoiding crisis situations and promptly solving problems when they occur.

Management skills can be developed through learning and practical experience as a manager. The skills help the manager to relate with their fellow co-workers and know how to deal well with their subordinates, which allows for the easy flow of activities in the organization.

Good management skills are vital for any organization to succeed and achieve its goals and objectives. A manager who fosters good management skills is able to propel the company’s mission and vision or business goals forward with fewer hurdles and objections from internal and external sources.

Management and leadership skills are often used interchangeably as they both involve planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation, and time management . Good managers are almost always good leaders as well.

In addition to leading, a critical role of a manager is to also ensure that all parts of the organization are functioning cohesively. Without such integration, several issues can arise and failure is bound to happen. Management skills are crucial for various positions and at different levels of a company, from top leadership to intermediate supervisors to first-level managers.

Types of Management Skills

According to American social and organizational psychologist Robert Katz , the three basic types of management skills include:

1. Technical Skills

Technical skills involve skills that give the managers the ability and the knowledge to use a variety of techniques to achieve their objectives. These skills not only involve operating machines and software, production tools, and pieces of equipment but also the skills needed to boost sales, design different types of products and services, and market the services and the products.

2. Conceptual Skills

These involve the skills managers present in terms of the knowledge and ability for abstract thinking and formulating ideas. The manager is able to see an entire concept, analyze and diagnose a problem, and find creative solutions. This helps the manager to effectively predict hurdles their department or the business as a whole may face.

3. Human or Interpersonal Skills

The human or the interpersonal skills are the skills that present the managers’ ability to interact, work or relate effectively with people. These skills enable the managers to make use of human potential in the company and motivate the employees for better results.

Examples of Management Skills

There is a wide range of skills that management should possess to run an organization effectively and efficiently. The following are six essential management skills that any manager ought to possess for them to perform their duties:

1. Planning

Planning is a vital aspect within an organization. It refers to one’s ability to organize activities in line with set guidelines while still remaining within the limits of the available resources such as time, money, and labor. It is also the process of formulating a set of actions or one or more strategies to pursue and achieve certain goals or objectives with the available resources.

The planning process includes identifying and setting achievable goals, developing necessary strategies, and outlining the tasks and schedules on how to achieve the set goals. Without a good plan, little can be achieved.

2. Communication

Possessing great communication skills is crucial for a manager. It can determine how well information is shared throughout a team, ensuring that the group acts as a unified workforce. How well a manager communicates with the rest of his/her team also determines how well outlined procedures can be followed, how well the tasks and activities can be completed, and thus, how successful an organization will be.

Communication involves the flow of information within the organization, whether formal or informal, verbal or written, vertical or horizontal, and it facilitates the smooth functioning of the organization. Clearly established communication channels in an organization allow the manager to collaborate with the team, prevent conflicts, and resolve issues as they arise. A manager with good communication skills can relate well with the employees and, thus, be able to achieve the company’s set goals and objectives easily.

3. Decision-making

Another vital management skill is decision-making. Managers make numerous decisions, whether knowingly or not, and making decisions is a key component in a manager’s success. Making proper and right decisions results in the success of the organization, while poor or bad decisions may lead to failure or poor performance.

For the organization to run effectively and smoothly, clear and right decisions should be made. A manager must be accountable for every decision that they make and also be willing to take responsibility for the results of their decisions. A good manager needs to possess great decision-making skills, as it often dictates his/her success in achieving organizational objectives.

4. Delegation

Delegation is another key management skill. Delegation is the act of passing on work-related tasks and/or authorities to other employees or subordinates. It involves the process of allowing your tasks or those of your employees to be reassigned or reallocated to other employees depending on current workloads. A manager with good delegation skills is able to effectively and efficiently reassign tasks and give authority to the right employees. When delegation is carried out effectively, it helps facilitate efficient task completion .

Delegation helps the manager to avoid wastage of time, optimizes productivity, and ensures responsibility and accountability on the part of employees. Every manager must have good delegation abilities to achieve optimal results and accomplish the required productivity results.

5. Problem-solving

Problem-solving is another essential skill. A good manager must have the ability to tackle and solve the frequent problems that can arise in a typical workday. Problem-solving in management involves identifying a certain problem or situation and then finding the best way to handle the problem and get the best solution. It is the ability to sort things out even when the prevailing conditions are not right.  When it is clear that a manager has great problem-solving skills, it differentiates him/her from the rest of the team and gives subordinates confidence in his/her managerial skills.

6. Motivating

The ability to motivate is another important skill in an organization. Motivation helps bring forth a desired behavior or response from the employees or certain stakeholders. There are numerous motivation tactics that managers can use, and choosing the right ones can depend on characteristics such as company and team culture, team personalities, and more. There are two primary types of motivation that a manager can use. These are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Bottom Line

Management skills are a collection of abilities that include things such as business planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation, and time management. While different roles and organizations require the use of various skill sets, management skills help a professional stand out and excel no matter what their level. In top management, these skills are essential to run an organization well and achieve desired business objectives.

Additional Resources

Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to management skills. CFI is a leading provider of  career resources  for finance professionals. To continue learning and advancing your career, the additional resources below will be helpful:

• Adaptive Leadership
• Crisis Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Macro Manager
• See all management & strategy resources

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Important Qualities of a Good Manager

Management is an art a business or organization uses to achieve its pre-determined goals by getting things done by directing employees’ efforts. The essential function of management is planning, controlling, staffing, organizing, and handling. A manager does all these. Manager reduces turnover and increases job satisfaction by providing stability to their employees. It makes good management inevitable in the pursuit of success hence making it essential for a company that craves success to have a manager, not just a manager but one with good qualities. The following are crucial qualities of a good manager.

Good leadership skills

A good manager should have good leadership skills to lead to good decision-making. Great leaders ensure their team keeps their goal in mind by providing they don’t go astray through coaching, inspiring, motivating, and not micromanaging them. According to (Nakonechnaya, & Kuzmina, 2020), it will be possible if the manager is not stern and unapproachable and provides constructive feedback, support, and resources to the employees, helping them reach their full potential and deliver their best work. Managers can also create a door policy encouraging employees to go to them about anything. A door policy can be easily practiced if the manager removes formalities such as emails and appointments.

For one to manage employees, they must be coupled with the ability to sense, understand and share the feelings of another. A good manager should be able to exhibit emotional intelligence to ensure that they are not emotionally distant and indifferent to the feelings of their employees (Quirk,2019). They should not neglect the feelings of their employees but strive to relate to them and help them cope with their challenges by providing flexibility. An empathetic manager will ensure they positively impact the employees and increase retention. An empathic manager will also understand the pain points that prevent their employees from performing their best. Doing this will helps them figure out a way of cultivating a culture and work environment that allows the employees to work efficiently, openly, and comfortably y (Quirk, 2019).

Knowledgeable

To manage a company well, one should know their line of work. As a manager, you should strive to become the most knowledgeable person in the company because a whole team looks up to you, not just for the sake of your position but because you will have to be the role model to many (Gioia, 2022). They should also be open to new ideas and learning skills and allow their team members to share new ideas. It will help them consume knowledge that will help them notice when an operation can be improved by adapting recent trends to better their company and become better in what they do.

Transparent

A manager’s transparency helps make employees feel like true partners of the company. Managers can show how authentic they are to employees by engaging them in decision-making processes. The best managers give credit where needed and do not hide the truth behind a shield of politeness (Dallas, Perego & Van Rinsum,2019). A fair evaluation of performance is another way a manager shows respect and transparency to employees (Dallas, Perego & Van Rinsum,2019).

It helps managers reward employees according to their accomplishments. By doing that, they motivate employees as they will become more productive because management recognizes their efforts. The manager should ensure the reward is fair by having a performance review process. To make it more transparent and practical, the manager can share the glory and success of the rewarded employee with the entire team.

Significance of important qualities of a good manager

In case of any hiccup or outright failure in the company, a good manager should not find ways to blame employees. The manager should instead be able to take accountability for their actions. For instance, Jason Nazar, the CEO of CNBC, always handles their emotions and work-related pressure. According to (Van Rinsum, 2019), they will help them merge on the other side in a stronger position by identifying weak areas and finding solutions to their problems. To do this strategically and more realistically, the manager can organize board and project meetings.

Through the sessions, they will be able to briefly discuss the shortcomings and provide ideas and constructive feedback on how to improve (Van Rinsum, 2019). By being accountable, managers can maintain respect from employees even when they disagree with decisions. It will make the company adaptable and agile, leading to better business growth and outcomes (Van Rinsum, 2019).

Sets clear expectations

A good manager like the manager of Aflac should know the intelligent methodology to figure out what goals to set. They should understand the importance of developing a realistic and attainable goal hence avoiding ambiguity. To provide a clear target, the manager should establish a time-based deadline, know what to expect from each employee, and communicate those expectations to every employee. It is possible by capitalizing on the strengths of their team members. According to (Croft, B. (2022), it will help employees play their strengths by creating responsibilities focused on their skills through identifying their weaknesses and strengths. They can also try having one-on-one conversations and discussions about their work areas with their employees and get to know the work they enjoy, the skills they would like to explore, and, most importantly, their areas of expertise. It can also work as a good and effective way of delegating tasks, helping employees achieve maximum productivity.

Recognizes and rewards good work

Good managers let their employees know their efforts significantly benefit the company and are appreciated. It is done by rewarding their employees for their accomplishments from time to time, even if it will be as little as a pat on the back. Employee recognition boosts individual engagement and increases productivity and loyalty. According to (Santos et al .,2018), when a manager rewards an employee, especially before the rest of the team, it changes the entire climate of the company as it will act as a challenge to the rest.

Good communicator

A good manager has good communication skills. Impactful communication efforts enable a manager to make decisions that support the culture of the people and value employee feedback ( Félix, M. J., & Murmura, F. (2018). It will help them communicate effectively with their employees since they take time to listen to them and understand what is happening in the company hence building employee loyalty and performance as they will feel their concerns are genuinely cared about, creating a great workplace.

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Reflection on Time Management Skills Essay

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Defining Time Management

Effectiveness criteria, measuring my time-management skills.

Time management is a crucial skill to live a proactive life that helps to achieve goals and avoid frustration from procrastination. Effective time management is an ability to analyze, define, and prioritize everyday activities. Even though I try to have a daily schedule, my planning skills lack crucial features to be effective.

Time management is an ability to find a balance between all the obligations and needs and fit them into one’s daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly routine. According to Burchard (2016), time management should start with setting life goals and working down towards hourly schedule, as every action is supposed to be a step to achieving one’s objectives. In simpler words, it is creating a plan where every point is viewed as an opportunity to progress in life. Therefore, time management is an ability to analyze the use of time, acknowledge the responsibilities, set the priorities, and act without procrastination.

Effective time management involves creating plans for periods of different length. Strategic planning for any action should include long-range, mid-range, and short-range steps (Cuseo, Thompson, Campagna, & Fecas, 2016). A good time-management plan includes transforming intention into action and provides flexibility to accommodate unforeseen opportunities (Cuseo et al., 2016). Moreover, it allows time to take care of unexpected outcomes and offers opportunities for both work and play (Cuseo et al., 2016). According to Burchard (2016), even free time and leisure activities should be planned to achieve a higher goal in life. In short, effective time-management is creating a plan of all the macro and micro steps that correlate with one’s life’s purpose.

My time-management skills are relatively poor, as I have not had enough time to develop my planning proficiency. Most of my life, my schedule was decided by others, including my parents, teachers, and school authorities. When I started my higher education, I was caught amidst a variety of new obligations and expectations, such as cooking, doing laundry, managing money, managing free time, and completing my assignments. Even though I usually have short-term plans, they do not correlate with a bigger picture, as I have never had a plan for a year or a month. I always have my daily schedules, but most of the time I do not think of my weeks.

In my schedule, I always find time for work and play, and I have no problems in transforming intentions into actions. However, my plans are not flexible enough, as I tend to overlook the possibility of unforeseen events. For example, I usually go to sleep around 11 p.m.; therefore, I started working on the current essay three hours before going to bed. However, I did not expect that I would have to include a scholarly article into my reference list. For this reason, I am forced to stay up late that ruins my plans for the next day, as I will not have enough sleep. In short, my time-management skills are poor due to an inability to provide time for unexpected events.

I am also prone to procrastination, which interferes with the ability to control the time spent on the critical task. According to Häfner, Oberst, and Stock (2014), to procrastinate is to “voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay” (p. 352). Even though the problem is demonstrated by 60% of students, I should use effective prevention techniques to develop efficient time-management skills (Häfner et al., 2014). In short, while procrastination is a common feature for students, it should be avoided with the help of every accessible tool.

Time is a valuable resource that requires careful management, as it can help to get better control over one’s life. However, understanding is not enough to acquire full control over time; information and intentions should be transformed into action. While there is enough time available to improve my planning skills, I still have a long way to go to master the art of time-management.

Burchard, B., (2016). Simple time management rules [Video file]. Web.

Cuseo, J., Thompson, A., Campagna M., & Fecas, V. (2016). Thriving in college and beyond: Research-based strategies for academic success and personal development (4th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Häfner, A., Oberst, V., & Stock, A. (2014). Avoiding procrastination through time management: An experimental intervention study. Educational Studies , 40 (3), 352-360. Web.

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Good Essay About Management Skills

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Psychology , Management , Love , Thinking , Time Management , Time , Feeling , Mind

Published: 05/31/2021

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Self-discipline, effective time management needs taking some steps to evaluate how personal life may take shape. More often than not, there is a feeling of constantly being overloaded, overwhelm, or uncertain where to get extra time to accomplish daily commitments (Vázquez, 2010). Effective time management starts by beginning the day early (Forsyth, 2013). The daily morning routines must be understood. For example, taking breakfast and starting work straightaway without time wastage on insignificant tasks. The daily tasks must be prioritized by preparing timetable, which concentrates on accomplishing smaller duties first to establish momentum for challenging tasks.

Effective time management entails setting as well as respecting deadlines (Vázquez, 2010). It is prudent to be accountable for set deadlines. Besides, valuing and respecting personal timetable. Deadlines are always met by concentrating on an activity at a time because; multitasking may diminish the quality of work. Time management requires that distractions be limited by restricting constant emails, phone calls, and noises interruptions (Van, 2012).

It is significant to spare time for positive thoughts within the mind in an effort to manage time effectively. Positive thoughts within the mind, assists in concentration on having things accomplished. Moreover, it helps avoid frustrations whenever a problem springs up. It is paramount to offer personal reward for a task well done. This helps in working harder and faster because one is looking forward to something (Christie, 2012).

Some aspects of managing time that need improvement include a feeling of having excess time than is available. This result in not establishing satisfactory structure on time to guarantee getting all things accomplished. Consequently, missing deadlines issues become rampant (Harris, 2008). These aspects require improvement for one to become accountable for organizing time as well as ensuring that necessary deadlines are met. Missing deadline, as a student, for example, can result in retaking part of the program. In conclusion, time management abilities are essential.

Christie, S. (2012). Effective time management skills for doctors: Making the most of the time you have. S.l.: Bpp Learning Media. Forsyth, P. (2013). Successful time management: Creating success, third edition. London, U.K: Kogan Page Ltd. Harris, J. (2008). Time management: 100 success secrets: the 100 most asked questions on skills, tips, training, tools and techniques for effective time management. Brisbane, Australia: Emereo. Van, B. D. (2012). College study skills: Becoming a strategic learner. Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Vázquez, L. R. (2010). Management skills and leadership techniques: Their application in managing works teams. Vigo: Ideaspropias.

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7 Examples of Areas of Improvement in Performance Reviews

Over decades, studies have consistently highlighted a striking workplace disconnect: While employees deeply value receiving constructive feedback, they often aren’t getting enough of it. 

The American Psychological Association (APA) underscores this persistent gap, with one key finding: People underestimate how much others want to receive constructive feedback.

As Lattice’s 2024 State of People Strategy Report emphasizes, employees need clarity, encouragement, and recognition in order to stay engaged. A robust performance management program builds upon this foundation, fostering an environment where employees feel supported in their journey toward continuous improvement. 

Whether focusing on upskilling, interpersonal relationships, or leadership abilities, highlighting areas of improvement is powerful for unlocking employee performance and driving organizational success.

Effective performance review comments identify opportunities for growth while also providing helpful, actionable advice to develop skill sets. The following performance review examples outline ways to tackle the areas of improvement section:

1. Time Management Skills

Time management isn’t always about maximizing productivity or getting more done in less time. It’s about balancing priorities and optimizing one’s energy. 

Employees who struggle with time management may find themselves overwhelmed, miss deadlines, or produce a low quality of work. This can cause bottlenecks in critical projects, inconvenience the entire team, or lead to burnout .

Here are three tools you can recommend to an employee who needs to improve their time management:

• The Pomodoro® Technique : Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, this technique involves working in short, timed intervals (usually 25 minutes) separated by brief breaks. This pacing helps sustain focus and productivity throughout the workday. Consider using tools like Pomodoro or Forest to help with this.
• Eat That Frog: Mark Twain famously said, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” This technique involves completing the most challenging or important task first thing in the morning. This not only ensures that the task is completed but also provides a sense of accomplishment that can boost productivity throughout the day.
• Day Theming: Day theming is a productivity technique that involves dedicating each day of the week to a specific theme, type of work, or set of tasks. For instance, you could allocate Mondays to team meetings. Similarly, you could pick specific days of the week to focus on administrative tasks or creative projects. 

2. Communication Skills

Strong communication has a profound impact on an organization’s success, not just in its outward-facing associations with customers and other stakeholders but also within its culture. It’s the foundation of trust, transparency, respect, and team harmony. 

Communicating with clarity and empathy doesn’t come easily to everyone for various reasons, but a few things can help develop this skill set:

• Active Listening: Active listening goes beyond being silent and undistracted while the other person communicates. Instead, the listener consciously tries to understand the message in totality, absorbing the nuances of body language and tone of voice. This involves reading the speaker’s emotions and feelings about the topic, identifying and acknowledging them, and periodically clarifying their understanding.
• Empathy Mapping: Borrowed from design thinking , empathy maps are visualization tools used to develop insight into another person’s point of view. They serve as a structured method for capturing and analyzing what individuals say, think, feel, and do to get a finer understanding of their needs and behaviors. This technique can be used to resolve interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings.

3. Teamwork and Collaboration Skills

A 2022 study on workplace collaboration calculated that people spend an average of 3.2 hours collaborating daily. Adding to the challenges that remote, hybrid, and asynchronous work present, poor collaboration and interpersonal skills can choke otherwise efficient project processes, stretch timelines, and budgets, and damage workplace relationships.

Here are some ways to help your employees with teamwork and collaboration:

• Team-Building Exercises: Organize fun and purposeful team-building activities such as Zoom parties, engagement huddles , and gift exchanges to encourage members to bond in low-pressure contexts. 
• Asking for Help: Encourage team members to reach out to each other whenever they feel stuck. Managers can start by modeling this behavior, responding positively and constructively when help is requested, and celebrating instances when teammates help each other.
• Project Management Tools: Industry-leading apps such as Asana and Jira streamline workflows and provide an easy way to monitor and stay on top of projects. Also, make it a habit to regularly communicate project statuses through tools like Lattice Updates and Slack.

4. Customer Service Skills

When it comes to customer experience, the stakes are high. According to NICE’s 2022 Digital-First Customer Experience Report , 95% of consumers would consider abandoning a brand after negative interactions with customer service. As a result, customer-facing employees need all the support and guidance they can get to stay on top of their game.

Here are a few ways to improve customer service skills:

• Embrace communication skills training. As technology and customer behavior regularly present new challenges, continuous learning and development opportunities can help employees stay sharp. This can include training in channel-specific communication and cover broader skills like active listening, empathy, clarity, problem-solving, and positive language.
• Accept feedback and take responsibility. Refrain from the temptation to retort defensively to customers, and maintain a positive attitude as you receive their criticisms. Take ownership of the issues at hand and do your best to resolve them at the earliest.
• Improve your product and troubleshoot knowledge. Interact with the product hands-on and explore its features, functionality, and use cases as though you were the end user. It may also help to shadow a high-performing rep to learn best practices, effective troubleshooting approaches, and insider tips.

5. Conflict Resolution Skills

Conflict is an inevitability in human relationships, and that holds for workplaces as well. Knowing how to manage conflict is essential to maintaining team harmony and good customer service. In a 2023 survey by Innerbody , respondents cited work ethic disparity, competition, inappropriate boundaries, and gender discrimination as the main causes of conflict in the workplace.

Here are a few suggestions to help employees build their conflict-resolution skills:

• Understand the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) . The TKI provides a useful framework for understanding and managing workplace conflict. You might choose any one of five conflict management styles or modes based on the situation:
• Competing (high assertiveness, low cooperativeness): Taking charge of the situation and asserting yourself. Useful in crises or when standing up for yourself.
• Collaborating (high assertiveness, high cooperativeness): Brainstorming a solution that fully satisfies the concerns of all parties involved.
• Compromising (moderate assertiveness, moderate cooperativeness): Looking for a solution that may not fully satisfy, but is acceptable to all parties. Useful when you value the relationship, but not so much that you abandon your goal.
• Avoiding (low assertiveness, low cooperativeness): Choosing not to engage when the relationship’s importance and goal are both low.
• Accommodating (low assertiveness, high cooperativeness): Yielding completely to the other party. Useful where the relationship is of prime importance.
• Manage your emotions. Maintain equanimity and self-awareness while communicating your problems with the other party. Practicing mindfulness techniques and grounding exercises before the conversation starts could be helpful.

6. Goal-Setting Skills

Industrial psychologist Cecil Alec Mace established in 1935 that without external goals, even intrinsically motivated workers perform below their abilities . Goals act as guideposts for behavior change, create more engaged teams, and drive business success .

When an employee is struggling with their performance, try the following:

• Set SMART goals . The acronym SMART is a tool to frame goals according to five parameters. They are:
• Specific — Outline the target and the steps to achieve it.
• Measurable — Have quantitative or qualitative metrics for success, such as key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Achievable — Well within your capacity.
• Relevant — Connected to a larger purpose, such as increasing sales.
• Time-Bound — Set to be accomplished within a particular time frame.
• Monitor your progress. Track, reflect upon, and document your progress toward your goals on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Lattice OKRs & Goals provide teams with a suite of tools to do this.
• Set up systems. As James Clear wrote in his best-selling book Atomic Habits , “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Once you’ve set a goal, put a system in place to achieve it. For instance, if you need to meet a sales target, you could set up a system for tracking leads and staying on top of conversations with prospects.

7. Prioritization Skills

A McKinsey survey that evaluated the operating models of 400 cross-functional teams identified prioritization as one of the top five capability areas differentiating top- and bottom-performing companies.

And prioritization is just as important at the individual level. To help an employee prioritize more effectively, you could suggest the following tools:

• The Eisenhower Matrix : This prioritization method uses four quadrants to help you arrange tasks based on their urgency and importance.

• Warren Buffett’s Two-List Strategy : At the beginning of each day or week, create a list of 25 tasks that need to be accomplished, and circle five of your highest priorities. Put the 20 remaining items in an “avoid at all costs” list — that is, avoid doing these tasks until you have finished your first five.
• Cost of Delay (CoD): CoD is a method of prioritizing tasks, initiatives, or projects based on the value of completing them sooner rather than later. Often used in Agile methodology , the term “cost” almost always refers to dollar signs, but it can be adapted to any context of rapid change and competitive priorities. Compare two deliverables on the same deadline: Task A is writing a detailed report on a project from a previous quarter due in three days, while Task B is prepping for three high-ticket sales calls for the upcoming week — a feat of scheduling, following up, and customer research. Both take the same amount of time. Delaying a report on a past project would not hold anyone back, nor affect the bottom line. However, a sloppy sales presentation would risk a potentially fulfilling client relationship and may cost your credibility. According to the CoD method, Task B costs more to delay and therefore should be prioritized first.

How to Identify Areas of Improvement in Performance Reviews

1. leverage data..

Feedback culture relies on a mix of performance reviews and continuous feedback to drive employee performance. Draw from these and various other sources, such as talent reviews, 360-degree reviews, one-on-ones, and self-evaluations.

Lattice Performance Management allows you to track and analyze employee performance data objectively across the review period. These tools can provide quantitative insights into an employee's achievements and challenges, helping managers identify areas for improvement based on concrete evidence.

2. Support team goals.

Look at the big picture: What new skills would contribute to the team's overall performance? If the team has been struggling with punctuality or meeting deadlines, selecting time management as an area for improvement can help the employee contribute more to team efficiency and productivity.

3. Address skill gaps.

Identify skills that align with gaps within the company. As technology advances, employees must stay updated with new tools and processes. For instance, if the company implements AI-driven solutions, encouraging employees to learn how to use these tools can help bridge the skill gap and ensure a smooth transition.

4. Consider career aspirations. 

Based on your knowledge of the employee's long-term career goals, use a job leveling matrix to identify skills to help them progress within the company. For example, if an employee aspires to take on a managerial role, selecting areas for improvement related to leadership skills, decision-making, mentorship, or strategic thinking can help them develop the necessary skills for professional growth.

5. Align with individual development plans.

Review the employee's individual development plan and select skills they have already expressed interest in improving or have been actively working on. For example, if an employee has mentioned wanting to enhance their public speaking abilities, include this as an area for improvement and provide specific guidance on how they can further develop this skill.

Why You Should Include Areas of Improvement in Performance Reviews

Giving constructive feedback can be challenging — here's why you should do it anyway (and with care, of course).

Employees want to know.

Along with positive feedback, areas of improvement provide employees with the information they need to objectively see where and how they should continue to work on their professional development, but this section also serves leaders, according to Tim Elliott , founder of  Mr. Moxey’s . “It’s a call to action for managers to provide employees with the necessary support, resources, and training opportunities to help them address their areas of improvement.”

Feedback drives employee engagement.

“Employees who feel valued and see a clear path for growth are more likely to innovate, take initiative, and commit themselves to the success of the organization,” said HR consultant Bryan Driscoll . “Prioritizing [their] needs and growth, both personal and professional, builds a stronger, more capable, and more loyal workforce.” 

It fosters relationships.

The areas of improvement section of a performance evaluation is meant to help employees enhance their work performance, but often, it's simply nothing more than a critical “you don't do this well” section, said Driscoll. Using performance review phrases like these is a missed opportunity and can harm the work environment’s psychological safety .

Instead, being empathetic and transparent about areas of improvement sets the tone for an open and honest relationship between employees and management. “It's like any relationship,” Driscoll added. “You have to be open and honest for it to work.”

Free Performance Review Templates

How you frame feedback can be the difference between an employee feeling eager to take it on board and the employee growing defensive. Here are some freely downloadable templates you can use while writing your next performance evaluation.

• Peer Performance Review Template : Employees can write feedback for peers about their improvement, highlighting areas a manager might have missed. 
• Performance Improvement Plan Template : Constructive criticism works best with an action plan for employees to improve. 
• Performance Review Question Bank : Assessing performance starts with asking the right questions. This helps in better identifying employees’ development opportunities.

Write better performance reviews for employees with Lattice AI.

The areas of improvement section is an invaluable part of the review process as it integrates performance and engagement . However, filling out performance appraisals for several employees at once can slow a manager’s work. 

But Lattice can help. A Forrester study on Lattice’s impact found that using the software decreased the time spent completing annual reviews by 50%.

Lattice AI augments this efficiency by providing managers with personalized suggestions to include when writing employee performance reviews based on goals, regular feedback, and growth areas. It also generates individualized development plans to help employees grow using these insights. This will help managers reduce recency bias and write more specific, meaningful evaluations that take the entire review period into account.

Learn how to empower your employees with effective performance reviews. Request a demo today.

Related content

How to Write a Performance Review Self-Assessment

Why Talent Reviews Are Important (And How to Run a Successful One)

How to Combat Bias With Calibrated Performance Review Questions

Why Companies Should Conduct Mid-Year Performance Reviews

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Is finance a good career path.

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

There are many different jobs in finance to explore as a new college graduate or even for those further along in their careers. The finance field includes jobs such as financial analyst, investment banker, loan officer, cost estimator, and many more.

Finance roles often involve working with numbers and may require specific skills like understanding financial statements or the financial markets. However, the roles are varied and cater to various interests and abilities.

Beyond assessing if it’s a skills match, aspiring financial professionals may want to weigh the industry’s demands and challenges to determine if it aligns with their long-term career and professional aspirations.

Since no two careers in finance are the same, continue reading as we break down everything from earning potential to the different skills requirements needed in finance careers so you can start to assess if this seems like a good career path for you to pursue.

What’s a career in finance?

A career in finance refers to occupations where workers are involved in the day-to-day activities of running a business or in tasks that are related to money, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

It’s a broad career category, and specific jobs in this career path can range from investment banking to corporate finance to financial planning. Often, professionals choose a specialty within finance as they set out to grow their careers.

How much can you earn in a career in finance?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median annual wage for jobs in finance and business was $79,050 in May 2023 (the latest date data is available). This is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations, which was $48,060 in May 2023.

Remember, this figure represents the median for a range of finance roles. Salaries for finance roles will vary based on a range of factors, including your experience level, the role, the company, and even the geographic location of the role. That said, this data point is a starting point to consider as you research how much you may be able to earn in a career in finance and other types of careers.

How do you know if finance is a good career path based on your skills?

Across the spectrum of finance careers, you may find that there are a few common skills many finance jobs require.

According to Harvard Business Review, some of these skills include:

• Reading and understanding financial documents (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and annual reports)
• Analyzing statements (calculating financial ratios such as debt-to-equity ratio and current ratio)
• Management and leadership skills (can you make decisions based on data?)
• Financial forecasting (can you look at data to help predict a company’s financial future?)
• Communication (can you explain financial concepts in a simple fashion?)

It’s important to note that the skills needed may vary depending on which finance role you’re interested in. The above list is simply a sample of skills some financial careers may require.

Seven fast-growing finance careers to consider

When considering a career in finance, the sheer variety of paths available may feel exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re interested in advising individuals on wealth management, managing risks for large institutions, or exploring the potential of emerging markets through venture capital, the opportunities are vast.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are seven career paths to consider in finance that are growing faster than average.

1. Management analyst

2023 median pay: $99,410 per year

2022-32 growth rate projection for occupation: 10%

Management analysts, also called management consultants, often advise companies on how to become more profitable. Those in these roles may analyze data such as revenue, expenditures, and employment reports to see how to reduce costs or drive revenue to boost a company’s bottom line.

2. Financial analyst

2023 median pay: $99,890 per year

2022-32 growth rate projection for occupation: 8%

Another finance career path you may consider is that of financial analyst. A financial analyst often evaluates financial data to help businesses and individuals make informed investment decisions. They may analyze market trends, financial statements, and economic indicators to forecast future financial performance and recommend strategies for achieving financial goals.  

3. Securities sales agent

2023 media pay: $76,900 per year

2022-32 growth rate projection for occupation: 7%

Another role you may consider exploring in finance is that of a securities sales agent, sometimes known as a stockbroker. Those in these roles buy and sell securities like stocks and bonds on behalf of clients. They may provide investment advice, manage client portfolios, and execute trades to help clients achieve their financial objectives.  

4. Insurance sales agent

2023 median pay: $59,080

Insurance sales agents sell various insurance policies, such as health, life, property, and casualty insurance, to individuals and businesses. They assess clients’ needs, provide policy recommendations, and assist in selecting coverage.

5. Financial manager

2023 median pay: $156,100

2022-32 growth rate projection for occupation: 16%

The job of financial manager is an umbrella role that can mean many different things depending on the exact role and the company the role is in. Those in these roles may work on financial reports, lead investments, and create financial plans for their organization.

6. Financial examiner

2023 median pay: $84,300

2022-32 growth rate projection for occupation: 20%

Financial examiners ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial institutions and transactions. As they do this work, they may review balance sheets, evaluate the risk levels of loans, and assess the overall financial health of companies, banks, and other financial entities to ensure they’re operating safely and within the law.

7. Personal financial advisor

2023 median pay: $99,580

2022-32 growth rate projection for occupation: 13%

Another financial career to add to your radar is that of a personal financial advisor. Personal financial advisors provide individuals with advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes, and retirement to help them manage their finances. They may assess clients’ financial needs, develop personalized financial plans, and guide them in making informed decisions to achieve financial goals.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, if you’re wondering if finance is a good career path for you, you may want to consult a trusted mentor or even shadow someone in a role you’re considering pursuing.

If you’re a new college graduate or currently in college but exploring career opportunities for when you graduate, you may even consider applying for internships or co-ops in finance to gain exposure to the industry. Sometimes, the only way to know if a career path is for you is to try it out.