Whether you’ve been working as a site manager for a few years or trying to climb the business ladder, you need to have a few basic skills in order to do your job well and fulfil your potential. You need to be able to communicate with your team well, motivate your staff, get everyone onboard, and find ways to maximise your workplaces efficiency.
Want to know how? We’ve listed the skills that all site managers should have in order to be their best.
Time management
Projects run on tight deadlines, with many people usually involved with the process. In order to complete a project within the stipulated timeframe, a great site manager will ensure all jobs are completed by the right staff at the right time. Being able to prioritise tasks is essential, as this will help you organise the project and get it completed within time. The ability to manage other items such as permits, hired equipment and other costs will also help you be a great site manager.
People management
The site manager is generally in charge of hiring contractors, assigning jobs and motivating staff. Not only should you be able to manage your own time well, you need to organise and assign jobs to other people too. Ensure that you have the ability to communicate your needs to your staff and manage them appropriately.
Communication
You need to communicate effectively not only with the staff you are managing, but also with those who you will be working closely with, such as clients, stakeholders and other project management personnel. Having the ability to communicate effectively will mean the project is completed well and within time frames. It’ll also mean you can address concerns and solve problems more efficiently.
Negotiation
Being able to negotiate with clients and stakeholders gives you a huge workplace advantage. Ensuring you’re flexible and able to adapt to demands and other conditions will only work in your favour.
Critical thinking
This role will often see you taking on various projects, changing circumstances, and differing demands from staff and clients. Being able to think critically and ensure everyone is on the same page is a must. If you can think of solutions quickly and easily and have the ability to think outside the box, you’ll put yourself, your team and your project in a better position.
Industry knowledge
As with any job, if you want to work your way up through the ranks to a management position, you need to have a full and complete knowledge of the industry you’re working in. It can be as simple as reading articles online about your industry, keeping up to date with all of the latest technologies, and having a thorough knowledge of local industry laws and codes of practice. By staying up to date with these kinds of changes, you’ll be ensuring you’re ahead of the game at all times.
Technically minded
Having a good grasp of all technical aspects in your industry is going to help you achieve better results as site manager. You may not be very technically minded – and while this doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t make a great manager, you will find the role much easier if you educate yourself and become equipped with the right skills.
Efficient project management
A project will have many different aspects to keep track of throughout its timeline. A great site manager will seek out new tools and programs to help them keep track of projects, or create their own tools to help them work better. Having easy methods in place to keep on track of your schedule, your employees, and who is on site and when, is essential in order to manage a site properly.
Attention to detail
As a site manager you’re not just required to look at the bigger picture – you need to know all the nitty gritty details too. Often, it’s the tiny details that can make the difference between a job completed and a job completed exceptionally well. These details include the staff hired, team motivation, and the quality of your equipment and tools. All of these factors influence the quality of the final product, how much the job costs, and the speed at which the project is completed.
Ability to multi task
Being a site manager is often very time consuming and will have you being pulled to two different directions at once. Having the ability to multi-task ensures the project stays on track, as staff will better understand their roles, work under better supervision, have all the tools they need – and your clients and stakeholders will stay happy!
Capable of working in a high stress environment
Truth be told, some people aren’t cut out for site management. With a lot going on and a lot at stake, it can be a very demanding and sometimes stressful role. You need to be able to stay calm during high pressure situations, and ensure that you can still manage others around effectively no matter how stressed you are.