Working as an IT manager requires a new skill set beyond that of a standard IT employee. Not only is it important that you function as an expert within your area, you also must effectively coordinate the actions of a team, facilitating positive collaboration between team members and other staff, as well as keeping the expectations of less technical upper-management members in line with what can actually be accomplished.
In order to help ensure your managerial success, consider the following key skills areas.
1. Technical Expertise
While most people focus on management skills and experience first, if you are going to work as an IT manager, a fundamental understanding of the work being completed and the skills required to do so should be considered a requirement. While you may not need to be able to complete every task you delegate to a member of your team, a solid grasp on the concepts will build trust between you and your team.
2. Communication Skills
An IT manager is often responsible for taking highly complex technical information and communicating the information clearly to those without IT-specific skills or knowledge. It is important that while communicating this information, the manager not come off as condescending when providing explanations. You need to listen to the requirements described by non-technical employees within the business and translate them into a technology-based solution.
Additionally, you will need to lead your team effectively, which includes providing guidance regarding the current tasks or priorities.
3.Risk Awareness
As you progress through the management ranks, understanding the risk involved in your projects is essential. Knowing when to take the right risks is crucial to creativity. Understanding the organization’s risk tolerance is just as important.
Learning to acknowledge and address risk in an impartial way can assert your standing as an expert in your field while also showing respect for the business and the operation of other departments as a whole.
4. Negotiation Skills
Once you begin managing a team, it is your responsibility to not only negotiate for your own benefit, but for the benefit of your team as well. This can apply to a variety of situations including securing a reasonable budget for a necessary project, ensuring any project due dates are reasonable based on the work involved, and even justifying the request for the addition of new team members.
5. Delegation of Tasks
One area that can be challenging, especially for newer IT managers, is learning to properly delegate tasks. At times, it may be tempting to address certain issues on your own even when it may be more appropriate to pass them along. Learn to identify which priorities are yours to handle and which are yours to manage.
Are You Looking For a Position as an IT Manager?
If you are looking for additional guidance on improving your managerial prowess, or would like to find out about new employment opportunities in your area, the professionals at ESP can help make your dreams of working in management a reality.
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