The demand for key leadership skills will change as the business world evolves. The Korn Ferry Research Institute identified key leadership traits required for new managers. The research demonstrated that many managers value certain traits above others.

However, the research reveals that you need all of these skills for the modern world. So take note and focus on your self-development.² The ability to take the initiative, a strong business sense, being honest and principled and an unwillingness to give up are all rated among the top leadership skills required for a new manager.

Any focus on enhancing these skills will help managers meet and exceed expectations. While the following skills were viewed as very important, many managers failed to focus upon developing them:

• Building effective teams
• Command skills
• Conflict management
• Decision quality
• People management
• Managing vision and purpose
• Motivating others.

In the Korn Ferry research, self-development, creativity and time management were considered less important, but new managers should be looking to enhance their competency in these areas.