Technical skills can be defined as “sets of abilities or knowledge used to perform practical tasks in the areas of science, the arts, technology, engineering, and math.” (Merriam-Webster).
Technical skills are learned abilities acquired and enhanced through practice, repetition, and education.
They are specific job-related abilities, like Business Intelligence/Analytics; Project Management skills; Stock Analysis; Data Analysis; Technical support, among others. These skills, among others, give managers the ability and the knowledge to use a variety of techniques to achieve their goals. In order to be successful in planning, leading, and controlling, managers must use a wide range of skills: technical, human relations and conceptual.
Specialized areas of knowledge and expertise, and the ability to apply this knowledge, compose the technical skills of a manager.
Human relations skills include the ability to understand human behavior, to communicate effectively with others, and to motivate individuals to accomplish their goals.
Conceptual skills include the ability to see the organization as a whole, understand how the various parts are interdependent, and evaluate how the organization relates to its external environment.
How do hard skills connect with soft skills? What is the role of technical skills in management?
For several years education focused on hard or technical skills: math, sciences, languages, geography, among others.
To have knowledge is important in order to apply it to practical situations and daily life. Hard skills are necessary as the basis for any profession. Soft skills are required to advance and potentiate the level of hard skills at workplace, at social life, …
Take as example, a nurse that has the knowledge to apply a vaccine but when facing the need to apply the vaccine to a baby she cannot do it. She feels fear and insecurity. The lack of self-confidence is a soft skill that she does not have.
We all had teachers along our life. Some good, some bad and a few excellent. The lack of empathy, generosity, reasoning among other soft skills makes the difference between being a good or a bad professional.
A manager that does not have the necessary technical skills is not a good manager. A manager who doesn’t have some important soft skills will never be a good manager.
A manager can have the best analytical thinking to solve problems but if patience, active listening, creativity, and other skills are not present, he will not be able to solve the problem by having the best analytical thinking.
“Effective leadership is putting things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.” Stephen Covey.
Crisis is an extreme form of change. Technical skills in time of crisis are necessary as they refer to practical and job-related skills. They are specific skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to perform a specific task or role. There are three types of skills that are essential for a successful management – technical skills, conceptual skills, and human or interpersonal skills. In time of crisis managers need to embrace their full potential (of management skills) and guide the works, the people, so that short and medium-term solutions are quickly found. It is necessary that they convey confidence and assertiveness in their decisions, because people are looking at them, are relying on them.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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