Picture yourself guiding a team through a complex business challenge, making confident decisions that will shape your organization’s future. This scenario is the reality for many Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates who have refined their management skills. Technical expertise forms the foundation of business acumen, but the finely tuned art of leadership truly distinguishes exceptional managers.

The online Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Management from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) forges these crucial leadership abilities. Management positions are in high demand, and those in business management roles earn an average annual salary of $165,372, according to 2024 data from ZipRecruiter. TAMU-CC’s MBA program equips students with the skills to not just join these ranks but also redefine them — crafting innovative solutions, inspiring teams, and driving organizations.

What Specific Skills are Necessary for Business Management?

Management skills are a critical differentiator for professional success. Recent studies reveal a strong preference among employers for comprehensive business education. A significant majority — approximately two-thirds of companies — view full business degrees as superior to micro-credentials in fostering achievement. This sentiment highlights the enduring value of robust management education and demonstrates the importance of well-rounded management skills.

The following 10 abilities outline the most in-demand management skills in the business space. Business leaders are prepared for success with the expertise in the following:

  1. “Hard” Business Discipline: A strong foundation of technical business skills encompasses a range of practical abilities essential for day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making, according to Harvard Business Review (HBR). From creating and analyzing financial statements to crafting data-driven marketing strategies, “hard” business competencies allow managers to assess organizational health, streamline processes, and drive informed business decisions.
  2. Leadership and Interpersonal Relations: Leaders must motivate teams, align goals, and foster a positive work environment. Emotional intelligence stands at the forefront of leadership and interpersonal relations, allowing leaders to understand and influence both their own emotions and those of their team members. Effective communication, both verbal and written, ensures clear transmission of vision and objectives. True leaders empower their staff and cultivate individual strengths to enhance overall team performance.
  3. Entrepreneurship: According to HBR, MBA programs foster entrepreneurship skills by providing a comprehensive understanding of business operations, from identifying market opportunities to sustaining long-term growth. Aspiring entrepreneurs learn to conduct thorough market research, develop innovative concepts, and transform ideas into viable business models. These skills extend to investor relations, team building, and strategic leadership.
  4. Strategic Problem-Solving: Finding strategic solutions enables leaders to craft comprehensive business strategies by synthesizing diverse factors such as pricing structures, value creation processes, and macroeconomic trends. A well-rounded MBA education hones the ability to analyze complex situations, identify core issues, and develop innovative solutions. As technology continues to reshape business, forward-thinking managers must not only solve current challenges but also anticipate future trends, leveraging emerging technologies like AI to drive innovation.
  5. Critical Thinking: Using critical thinking empowers leaders to evaluate information objectively, challenge assumptions, and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions. Managers who excel in critical thinking can navigate complex scenarios by analyzing multiple perspectives, weighing pros and cons, and considering long-term implications. This approach allows for the identification of root causes rather than superficial symptoms.
  6. Empathy and Listening: According to HBR, the ability to empathize and listen well fosters trust and open communication within teams. These skills involve actively engaging with employees and striving to understand their perspectives and emotions beyond mere words. Managers who excel in empathetic listening create an environment where team members feel valued and heard, leading to increased engagement and job satisfaction.
  7. Global Perspective: Holding an international outlook encompasses understanding and navigating diverse cultural, political, and economic environments. Managers with a global mindset can anticipate international opportunities and risks, adapting strategies to suit various market contexts. A global outlook enables leaders to inspire and manage teams across cultural boundaries, fostering innovation and driving organizational success on a worldwide scale.
  8. Collaboration: As HBR notes, effective collaboration fosters innovation, enhances problem-solving capabilities, and increases overall team productivity. Managers adept in collaboration can bridge departmental silos and facilitate seamless cooperation across various functions such as marketing, finance, and operations. This is increasingly valuable in an era of remote work and dispersed global teams.
  9. Integrative Problem-Solving: This approach involves synthesizing knowledge from various business disciplines and considering multiple stakeholder perspectives. HBR notes that MBA programs cultivate this skill through methods like case studies, where students analyze real-world business scenarios and develop comprehensive solutions. Integrative problem-solving allows managers to move beyond siloed thinking, considering how decisions in one area might impact other aspects of the business.
  10. Time Management: Effective time management is a crucial skill for business managers, directly impacting productivity, stress levels, and overall success. Mastering this skill enables leaders to prioritize tasks, set clear goals, and allocate resources efficiently. Strong time management leads to increased daily accomplishments, reduced errors, and improved work quality.

Develop Today’s Most In-Demand Skills with an Online MBA in Management

TAMU-CC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Management delves deep into organizational systems and operations, providing a robust understanding of key business functions. Its six management concentration courses provide students with expertise in areas like human resource management, leadership, multinational management, and entrepreneurship. Thanks to its rigorous curriculum, graduates are prepared for a wide array of management career opportunities including roles as business operations managers, management consultants, and marketing managers.

Learn more about TAMU-CC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Management program.