There is general agreement that at least three areas of skill are necessary for the process of management:
technical, human, and conceptual.
Proportionately less technical skill tends to be needed as one advances from lower to higher levels in the
organization, but more conceptual skill is necessary. Supervisors at lower levels need considerable technical skill because they are often required to train and develop technicians and other employees in their section. At the other extreme, executives in a business organization do not need to know how to perform all the specific tasks at the operational level. However, they should be able to see how all these functions are interrelated in accomplishing the goals of the total organization. This ability is particularly important because the executives' focus at the higher organizational levels is increasingly more external and global.
The amount of technical and conceptual skills needed at these different levels of management varies; notice, though, that human skills are crucial at all levels.
- Technical skill. Ability to use knowledge, methods, techniques, and equipment necessary for the performance of specific task; acquired from experience, education, and training.
- Human skill. Ability and judgement in working with and through people that includes an understanding of motivation and an application of effective leadership.
- Conceptual skill. Ability to understand the complexities of the overall organization and where one's own operation fits into the organization. This knowledge permits one to act according to the objectives of the total organization rather than only on basis of the goals and needs of one's own immediate group.
Proportionately less technical skill tends to be needed as one advances from lower to higher levels in the
organization, but more conceptual skill is necessary. Supervisors at lower levels need considerable technical skill because they are often required to train and develop technicians and other employees in their section. At the other extreme, executives in a business organization do not need to know how to perform all the specific tasks at the operational level. However, they should be able to see how all these functions are interrelated in accomplishing the goals of the total organization. This ability is particularly important because the executives' focus at the higher organizational levels is increasingly more external and global.
The amount of technical and conceptual skills needed at these different levels of management varies; notice, though, that human skills are crucial at all levels.
