We asked 655 HR managers: “If you could improve one skill of your company’s managers, what would it be?” Here’s how they answered.
73%: Communication skills
13%: Decision-making skills
14%: Other
Many of those who responded said that a lot of problems could be solved if their managers had better communication skills — with their employees, their bosses, other managers and HR.
A practical skill-booster: One HR manager said her firm had found a way to give managers “practice” at communicating. The company hooked up with a local vocational school that wanted to give its students experience at interviewing for their first jobs.
So the company agreed that new managers would hold simulated interviews with the students — giving students and managers the experience of interviewing without the risk of making a mistake. The HR manager observes those interviews and gives the manager feedback that can be used in actual interviews and other communication situations.
