You are deeply ambitious and have big plans for your management career. First, you will need to develop a comprehensive skill set heavy on technical acumen and leadership qualities, as well as a nuanced set of competencies known as soft skills.
Ranging from communication to problem-solving and empathy, soft skills are the building blocks of effective management. Recruiters regularly highlight these as the most desirable qualities among job candidates. Many also claim that they struggle to find management professionals who have fully developed these essential skills.
There are several ways to build soft skills, but not just any approach will help managers apply these in high-pressure settings or scenarios. That is where an online business management degree can make all the difference. Designed to promote a nuanced blend of soft, technical, and leadership qualities, today’s top business management programs emphasize practical skill development.
Eager to make a difference? Keep reading to discover which management soft skills are deemed most important and how an online business management degree can facilitate strategic, career-centric skill development. Along the way, you’ll discover the power of empathetic leadership.
Understanding Effective Management
The complexity of modern management skill sets stems, in part, from the evolving definitions and descriptions of “effective” management. We once defined effective purely based on a profit-oriented metric, where if a particular business or department appeared to put up positive numbers, its manager was assumed to be effective.
We’ve since realized that numerous elements play into effective management, and that long-term outcomes must be considered. These may relate not only to profit margins, but also to organizational values and objectives, such as sustainability, ethical decision-making, diversity, and equity.
This means that our modern version of effective management is far more complicated. Effective managers drive positive outcomes that align with organizational objectives and empower employees, customers, clients, and entire communities.
The Shift in Management Paradigms
The last few decades have seen a dramatic shift in management paradigms. These provide a solid framework for how managers relate to team members and drive desired outcomes. Increasingly, we look to a framework known as the triple bottom line, which, according to the forward-thinking John Elkington, emphasizes the 3 Ps: people, planet, and profit. Previously, profit was viewed as more important than the other 2 Ps, and this idea has since evolved.
Traditional Management Styles
Through much of the 20th century, organizations maintained a strict top-down structure, in which strict rules and policies kept employees in order. Stability and predictability were heavily emphasized, with decision-making authority limited to senior professionals. Sometimes referred to as autocratic leadership, this approach has its place but has major deficits regarding employee motivation and satisfaction.
The Change to Inclusive and Empathetic Approaches
In recent years, the rigid structures that once dominated management have given way to a more flexible, empathy-oriented approach that prioritizes agility over stability. Factors that underscore this shift include:
- Changing Workforce Expectations. Millennials and Gen Z prefer to work for organizations that recognize their individuality and grant them greater autonomy. These professionals are highly resistant to micromanaging but will give it their all if treated with empathy and respect.
- Diversity and Globalization. Today’s global workforce incorporates a variety of perspectives and communication styles. Rigid, hierarchical thinking may not sufficiently incorporate these varying attitudes or approaches.
- Focus on Mental Health. Work-life balance is increasingly a priority, with many professionals citing a strong preference for organizations that encourage them to take time off. However, traditional management models are tied to long hours and rigorous processes that may leave employees feeling drained or burned out.
- Evidence of Effectiveness. The opportunities highlighted above matter, but it can be argued that organizations would not be as quick to embrace empathy if research suggested that it failed to promote greater profitability or innovation. In reality, studies indicate that an empathetic approach can deliver powerful long-term outcomes, including better employee retention, innovation, and a strong return on investment.
Essential Features of Inclusive and Empathetic Management
Empathetic management can be difficult to define, partially because it can look different from one organization to the next and even between leaders. Generally, this management paradigm encompasses these key features:
- Open Communication. Employees of all types bring valuable perspectives to the table, and empathetic managers are eager to learn from their cohorts. Through open communication, they ensure a baseline of understanding while also enhancing general trust and rapport.
- Employee Empowerment. Expressing trust in their team members, empathetic managers understand the power of delegation. They are willing to relinquish control when necessary, but also provide guidance and support as their employees leverage new and exciting opportunities.
- Diversity and Inclusion. Today’s inclusive leadership practices actively strive to dismantle the biases that have harmed so many employees through the years. Empathetic managers are willing to confront these biases and take active steps to better understand and empower employees from all walks of life.
- Work-Life Balance. Empathetic managers do not expect team members to dedicate all their time or emotional bandwidth towards work. Instead, they actively promote work-life balance by encouraging team members to make the most of sick days and paid time off.
Why Management Soft Skills Matter
It’s no secret that management soft skills matter, but these represent more than a pathway to high-level careers. They also help managers lead more effectively once they enter desired career fields or niches. Equipped with the right blend of soft skills, managers can:
- Improve Communication. To connect with and inspire team members, managers must convey their vision in a way that resonates while also actively listening to other employees and stakeholders. Strong verbal and written communication skills allow them to connect and collaborate.
- Foster Teamwork. Soft skills empower managers to promote collaborative work environments, in which team members feel respected and appreciated. This ultimately improves employee engagement, and ultimately, productivity and innovation.
- Aid Conflict Resolution. Conflict is a natural part of the modern workplace and, with soft skills in place, it need not be feared. Strong problem-solving and communication skills (plus a dose of empathy) can help managers navigate conflicts and even emerge with stronger and more resilient teams.
- Enhance Adaptability. Today’s constantly evolving workforce calls for adaptable managers who can adjust their approach as needed. Adaptability qualifies as a soft skill, but it’s also supported by relevant soft skills such as creativity and critical thinking.
- Drive Employee Engagement. Employees want to know that their managers care, and that leaders will help them reach their full potential. Through empathy and strong verbal communication, managers can motivate and empower their team members, who will, in the long run, connect more deeply to their work.
- Positive Work Culture. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to respond in kind by showing more empathy and respect for their fellow professionals. Over time, this results in a positive work culture that uplifts all team members and stakeholders.
- Customer Satisfaction. The outcomes highlighted above produce stronger employee satisfaction. This can have a trickle-down effect, resulting in better customer satisfaction. After all, happy employees are more likely to demonstrate a positive attitude while working with customers or clients.
The Impact of Management Soft Skills on Career Advancement
The empathetic leaders of tomorrow should feel inspired by the capacity of soft skills to drive organizational change and positive work culture, but there’s nothing wrong with leveraging personal opportunities. Aspiring managers who feel compelled to climb the career ladder will quickly find that, by developing the skills needed to support and empower their employees, they can also empower themselves.
- Effective Communication. Empathetic leaders should be capable of connecting not only with team members, but also with executives. Through strong communication, they can demonstrate how they are making a difference, and why they are excellent candidates for promotion.
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Strong EQ can help leaders connect with team members, executives, clients, and customers. It is strongly linked to effective change management and conflict resolution but may also attract much-needed attention and respect from the C-suite.
- Adaptability and Resilience. As tools, technologies, and methodologies change, leaders need to be willing to relinquish the status quo and embrace new opportunities. Soft skill development can make these professionals more flexible while also encouraging the creativity and critical thinking that underscore the most promising new initiatives.
- Team Building. Collaboration and open communication can lead to productive and closely connected teams, in which trust drives impressive outcomes.
- Networking. Empathetic leaders can quickly and effectively expand their professional networks. These connections may open the door to a variety of compelling professional opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden.
Gaining Soft Skills with a Business Management Degree
There are a myriad of ways to develop soft skills, but the right degree can ensure that these competencies are properly integrated with technical abilities. Business management programs encourage aspiring leaders to leverage soft and technical skills so they can amplify one another. This can be a great way to learn how to be an effective manager, and to explore the most compelling management models and opportunities.
7 Ways to Develop Soft Skills While Pursuing an Online Degree
Online business management degree programs help students develop diverse skill sets that position them for success. These skills can be enhanced while online students are actively involved in the workforce and will help ambitious professionals advance in their careers.
Does this path sound appealing? Be sure to implement these key strategies as you seek an online degree in management.
1. Participate Actively in Online Discussions and Forums
Online degree programs draw on forums and other conversational platforms to encourage connection. Active participation strengthens empathy and critical thinking through extensive exposure to new perspectives. This also provides much-needed practice with conveying complex thoughts and responding respectfully to others.
2. Engage Group Projects and Collaborative Assignments
Online coursework is not as individual-oriented as you might expect. Yes, solo study sessions are essential, but you will also have plenty of opportunities to work with fellow students as you complete group projects. Take an active role in these experiences, using them as an opportunity to put your newly developed skills to the test. You’ll quickly discover which communication styles are most impactful and which approaches to delegation produce the best results.
3. Manage Your Time Effectively
Management professionals must juggle a wide range of tasks and projects while abiding by strict deadlines. There’s no better practice than a jam-packed college schedule, complete with dozens of papers, projects, and self-directed study sessions. As an online business management student, you will learn to work smart and hard so you can make the most of every moment.
4. Take Advantage of Virtual Networking Opportunities
Networking plays a vital role in career development, and aspiring managers need to develop robust professional networks. While in-person coursework provides a wealth of opportunities to connect with fellow students and professors alike, these connections can also be formed within the modern online environment. Try to reach out and get to know both faculty members and fellow students.
5. Develop Emotional Intelligence by Reflecting on Peer Interactions
Online programs bring students from all walks of life together to share in the joy of learning and professional development. Possessing a variety of skills and perspectives, diverse students can introduce one another to new concepts or mindsets. This promotes empathy and emotional intelligence.
Don’t forget to reflect on meaningful interactions to determine where you succeeded and how you could adjust your response to drive even better connections and insights.
6. Engage in Leadership Roles Within Online Communities
Group projects are by no means the only leadership opportunities available to online students. Forums call for leaders or moderators, who demonstrate initiative by encouraging participants to get actively involved in fascinating discussions. On occasion, these roles may require you to practice conflict resolution. Embrace these opportunities and use them to apply newly developed leadership knowledge and competencies.
7. Seek Feedback from Instructors and Peers
Instructors and fellow students can be excellent sources of constructive criticism. Their feedback can provide valuable insight into potential weaknesses or skill gaps, especially as they relate to communication styles or problem-solving initiatives. Furthermore, online learning communities grant valuable practice in actively seeking out, providing, and responding to feedback — key components of effective management.
Start Your Management BSBA at UTC
If you resonate with today’s empathetic management models and feel that you have the makings of an impactful leader, prepare for a rewarding career by seeking a management-oriented degree. Look for a program that emphasizes communication, problem-solving, and other effective management skills.UTC’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA): Management provides a solid foundation for empathetic management, complete with numerous opportunities to develop and apply soft skills in business management. Reach out to learn more about our business management degree online or take the next step and apply today.
