What really makes a manager a good are the skills he/she brings to the position.

The basic prerequisite for the post is at least a first degree (some organisations require a master's degree) in your area of expertise. Having three to five years' work experience as a minimum, is also a must. But, there are some other things which are needed.

Apart from having a good understanding and technical knowledge of his/her chosen field, a manager should also possess competencies in the following areas:

Good people skills

A manager must:

Know how to work with people and be able to maintain good relationships with others.

Be able to think strategically.

Have the ability to think long term.

Have the ability to view the organisation as a whole, and see how parts of the organisation relate to and depend on one another.

Be flexible/adaptable to change.

Be innovative.

Know how to communicate wellwith others.

Have excellent project and self-management skills.

Be a team player.

Have good crisis and conflict management skills.

These are just a few examples of the skills a person needs in order to be a good manager, and thus be an asset to any organisation.

You may wonder what is the best way to acquire these skill sets. The simple answer is through work experience and engaging continuously in lifelong learning.

Where possible, attend workshops, seminars, conferences, etc., that offer information on your particular field. If you are currently employed, try to make use of the opportunities that may exist for enhancing your own growth and development within your organisation. For example, if you have the opportunity to work in a different department or branch for a few weeks or months, take it. This could be your chance to be exposed to perhaps a new way of thinking and doing things.

Work experience

If you are unemployed, you can still gain valuable work experience by volunteering with organisations, such as the Jamaica AIDS Support, the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club.

Being a manager is a major career goal for most persons, as this role in many organisations allows one to set one's own pace for work. It also gives one a voice in making decisions that affect the organisation and its employees.

But, it is important to note, though, that being a manager does have its downside. Most, if not all managers, have to deal with handling disgruntled employees, increased paperwork and increased stress, which can be attributed to the high-pressure environment in which many managers work. Some managers also have the responsibility of terminating employees, which many persons find to be an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.

Just as well, this career opportunity will not come overnight. It is going to take a few years of hard work, patience and dedication before you can count yourself among the lucky few who manage to attain this lofty dream.

Kareen Cox is the resources coordinator in the career development services department, HEART Trust/NTA.

Good managers should also have the following attributes:

High ethical/personal standards.

Well-defined goals, whether they are personal or career related.

Be able to allocate resources according to priorities.

Be able to make decisions, act upon them, and accept responsibility for them.

Be willing to compromise.

Be able to organise and plan for effective use of resources.

Be able to admit to being wrong.

Good leadership skills.

Kareen.Cox@gmail.com

A manager must know how to work with people, and be able to maintain good relationships with others.