Quick Tip: Executive Skills Middle Managers Need To Become Senior Leaders

While leaders at all levels need effective communication skills to succeed, the required interpersonal competencies can vary significantly between the C-suite and middle management. Generally speaking, lower-level managers are often more involved in direct, task-specific interactions with employees, whereas executives need to master broader, more strategic communications that stand to influence the entire organizational culture. A successful roadmap to a strong team includes achievable milestones that will encourage team engagement and growth, as well as feedback mechanisms to help individuals adapt and refine their approaches as needed.

Getting Things Done Strategically

As leaders become responsible for larger scopes of the business, they must increasingly get things done through people. For managers, the focus is driving results by being involved tactically in the business. Over time, they must work more on the business, spending time thinking strategically about where the business needs to go. The executive leader has to rely on motivated, engaged teams to get there.

- Lisa Walsh, Beacon Executive Coaching

Originally published on Forbes Coaches Council.