As a business professional, you may have long-term career goals to climb the corporate ladder and enter higher-level roles within your industry. However, taking the next step in your career may not have a clear path and can vary according to an individual's circumstances. Whether you’re a current or aspiring manager, taking on a more senior role and learning new management skills can often feel overwhelming.
In this article, we cover what a career in management looks like and how to learn management skills to keep up – and in front of – the evolving professional landscape. While some fundamentals are the same, the future of leadership is changing and you’ll need to be ready for what’s next.
Why choose a career in management?
The answer largely depends on your personal and financial career aspirations. If you want to lead projects and teams as well as have more autonomy in contributing to your organisation's strategic direction and business performance, you may be a good fit in management. You can also improve your earning potential significantly as a business professional.
Being a manager requires stamina. It requires the ability to simplify universal issues and build strong relationships in the face of complexity. To be a manager is to be aware of these challenges and do what’s necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of the role. If you’re ready for new milestones and opportunities for growth, moving into management could be a worthwhile consideration.
How to learn management skills successfully
When understanding how to improve management skills in the workplace, it’s important to know that the answer will differ based on industry-related variables. This can include the field you work in, your company’s culture and values, the organisational structure of a business and the attitude of its employees, among other factors.
Besides developing management skills with on-the-job training, you can also pursue formal education. Some leadership and management courses only focus on one field of study. Others, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), will give a broader perspective across disciplines, allowing you to gain transferable skills and apply your study to a variety of career options across diverse industries.
Core skills a manager needs to have for success
The foundational skills a manager should have are universally important and valued. These skills include:
- Communicating with emotional intelligence
- Building relationships that engender trust and confidence
- Managing time and risk
- Demonstrating leadership through delegation
- Strategising with lateral thinking
- Exercising good organisational habits
While this list is not conclusive, it’s a great place to start. Does your manager possess these skills? What are their areas of strength and weakness?
Learning management skills from your leaders can help you shape your own journey and, ultimately, help you define how to improve management skills in the workplace. By observing different management styles, you'll also be able to learn effective methods to deal with various situations at work.
Progressing in your career doesn’t happen instantaneously, so it’s important to be prepared with the right tools and training for when you’re ready.
How to get into a management position
We’ve established that understanding the skills required to be a manager is a fundamental part, but making the transition to a more senior role can be a slower process.
Each company will vary in terms of the management positions they offer and how easily employees are able to move through the ranks.
There are several ways to be proactive about your professional goals and be noticed by the right people.
1. Excel in your current position. Demonstrating your ability to handle different situations in your current role shows your capability, strength and capacity for growth.
2. Do your research. Leadership and management needs can vary across organisations. Gain insight into what skills are in demand for your specific industry.
3. Identify what leadership looks like in your company. Observe which leaders are successful within your team and take note of what they do differently.
4. Talk about your future. Speak candidly about your career goals with your leaders so they can help you identify areas of opportunity.
5. Actively pursue job opportunities. Always look for upcoming opportunities within your organisation. This will show your leaders that you're ready for the next step.
How postgraduate study can support your career goals
One of the most effective ways you can move into a management position is by equipping yourself with the skills, knowledge and expertise that you need to progress in your career.
Pursuing a postgraduate course in management is a relevant way to acquire this fundamental knowledge base while increasing your professional connections. You can network with like-minded peers, academic staff members and even industry experts to build a strong professional network.
The skills a management program can give you include exercising self-discipline, acquiring leadership insights and developing an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset, just to name a few.
A postgraduate degree can also help you start or restart your career, strengthen underdeveloped areas, increase your salary, thrive as a leader and most importantly, move into a management position.
Many universities in Australia offer management courses at postgraduate level, such as the following.
This course is designed to encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and effective decision making. Graduates will understand how to operate effectively in a changing, complex and turbulent environment.
This course is designed for postgraduate students seeking to deepen their grasp of complex management challenges. Choose this course for a comprehensive exploration of management principles, building on the Graduate Certificate in Management.
The course’s innovative structure allows students to tailor their studies to their specific goals and responsibilities in management.
Offered to students holding an undergraduate degree in an area outside of business/commerce or those with a business background (with the option of some credit for prior study), Melbourne Business School's Master of Management will equip you with foundational business training, as well as specialist training in organisational management.
You will leave the course with a strong understanding in managing innovation and change, motivating and leading people, and developing customer-orientated organisations.
Build upon the knowledge acquired during your undergraduate degree with practical business experience, and gain sought-after communication, problem solving, and analytical skills to lead and innovate teams in an accelerating business world.
UNSW’s online Master of Management is designed to provide the most relevant, practical and contemporary business management frameworks that are critical to unlocking your potential and gaining a competitive edge in employment across a myriad of disciplines.
Ready to find your ideal leadership and management course?
Whether you’re aspiring to become a manager or simply looking to evolve professionally, a postgraduate business degree is a rewarding and beneficial pathway that can help kickstart your career in management. You can gain the necessary skills to become a versatile and well-rounded leader with this qualification. Discover a variety of postgraduate courses in management from leading universities in Australia to get started on your journey.