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No.

1: Ability to assess needs All IT managers need to know how to assess the ne
eds of their company as it relates to their technology
responsibilities. It doesn t matter what level you are; you have to be able to dis
cover what the real needs and issues are so you work on the right things. Too many
managers develop an "IT agenda" because they don't make the effort to discover
the objectives and tangible issues of the company. Developing the ability to qui
ckly assess the technology for your area of expertise positions you for more res
ponsibility. Managers who develop initiatives that "miss the target" because the
y lack strong assessment skills cost companies hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Assessing technology needs plays a major part in helping your career advance.

No. 2: Ability to create a vision To lead, you have to identify your target and
create a vision for your staff of where you want to be. To lead, you
have to take charge and point the team to the desired destination. Managers who
can develop and articulate a vision to their staff can accomplish great things b
ecause people will follow them. Communicating a vision tells those around you th
at there is focus and that you are committed to take the organization to a speci
fic destination.
No. 4: Ability to build the team Successful managers know the importance of buil
ding a team that has depth as well as skill in critical areas. A
successful manager must know how to improve an existing team, as well as how to
build a new one from scratch. Every good manager I ve seen has the ability to buil
d the right team for the issues at hand and can anticipate what will be needed i
n the future so that the team is prepared for new challenges. Strong career mana
gers are effective career builders of people. They understand the importance of
career and use career building as a tool to develop a stronger team capable of o
perating more independently.

No. 5: Ability to focus the resources Focusing IT staff, money, and technology r
esources on key priorities of the company is essential to achieving
success. The technology resources must be focused on initiatives that are in syn
c with company needs and objectives, and they must deliver in a productive, cost
-effective manner. Career-minded people at any level understand the need for str
ong focus.
No. 6: Ability to implement a "client service" mindset A high level of client se
rvice is essential for any IT organization. Successful managers create a culture
that
places customer issues first whether the customers are internal users or external
clients. Great IT managers know the reason they have careers is because people n
eed the technology and support services that they provide, which is why successf
ul IT managers build excellent client relationships.
No. 7: Ability to manage projects The cornerstone of any IT manager s job is that
the organization can deliver project initiatives in a predictable
and cost-effective manner. Effective project management discipline must be a key
part of any manager who expects to succeed. Regardless of your career direction
, strong project management skills will enhance your opportunities.
No. 8: Ability to implement change management processes Technology, by its natur
e, demands rapid change. Every IT manager needs to be able to understand how to
effectively implement change, whether it s swapping out a PC, upgrading an entire
network, or developing and installing new software. Failure to manage change eff
ectively will cripple any manager.
No. 9: Ability to lead and motivate IT organizations don t get a lot done unless t
hey are motivated. IT managers who can create significant
momentum by virtue of strong leadership and motivation techniques always achieve
more than those who can t. Getting things done through others is a key skill requ
ired for management success.
No. 10: Ability to communicate effectively Successful managers can communicate o
n many different levels with all types of people. More than ever, career
success is highly dependent upon effective communication skills. Getting your me
ssage across to technical staff as well as nontechnical clients, being able to m
anage expectations effectively, and netting out issues and project status with sen
ior managers are necessary skills that prevent many managers from achieving high
levels of success. IT managers who achieve the greatest career success are thos
e who can communicate effectively with all levels of people: employees, peers, i
nternal and external clients, vendors, and senior management.
No. 11: Ability to track and measure performance It s important to set objectives
and be able to measure your progress. Successful managers establish specific
measurements that tell them and others how well the organization is doing and pr
ovide feedback that helps managers zero in on issues that will improve the organiz
ation s performance.

In conclusion The best managers, and the ones with successful careers, have each
of the above-mentioned skills, and their
competence transcends the technical organizations and companies that they work f
or. Granted, there are other skill and career traits that promote advancement a
nd success, such as working proactively, having strong follow-up skills, and bei
ng able to negotiate with vendors successfully. But when you dig down into the c
ore competencies of a successful IT management career, these 11 tend to stand ou
t. Forging a successful IT management career is one of the most challenging fea
ts in any company, because the role is constantly changing and being heavily scr
utinized by all. Developing each of these 11 traits as a core competency within
your personal makeup will help you achieve much higher success levels and will p
osition you for greater career responsibility.

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