YOUR WORK QUESTIONS ANSWERED

If this is a people management, as opposed to business management, role it will help if you can demonstrate an understanding of what motivates people. Rather than a particular qualification, I suggest you consider ways you can acquire this knowledge, whether through a training course, an industry association, a mentor or your own research. Then look for ways to put your knowledge to the test. For example, can you volunteer to manage a project several people will be working on or take on a management role in a sporting team or charity? There are a range of external qualifications designed to build leadership/management skills, from a Certificate in Management through to an MBA. If you’re going for a leadership role within the organisation you currently work for, speak with your manager and ask for their recommendations. It’s also worth finding out if there are any internal courses available designed to nurture future leaders. Finally, speaking from my experience only, I find the best leaders are those who have on-the-job experience. Leadership/management positions come in different forms. As you are looking at your first such role, the most important consideration is mastering the skill or focus area of the staff you will be managing. At later stages you will be able to take a broader view of being a leader or manager. For your first role, however, the right qualification is the one that is required by those staff you will be leading. Your interpersonal relationships and your openness to self-development and feedback will all play a part in securing your first leadership/management role. It’s not just qualifications that will secure your first managerial position. Personal qualities, including emotional intelligence, and your technical expertise are also important factors when assessing your leadership potential. For formal qualifications, an MBA from a well-regarded institution would be advisable. If this is unrealistic, The Australian Institute of Management offers short courses. It may be helpful to discuss your ambitions with your manager as they may highlight areas you need to strengthen.