The attached link contains an article that not only assesses your current management skills but offers suggestions as to how to strengthen them.

I find this particularly useful as I am currently a Senior Analyst and do not have the opportunity to manage anyone. This is a challenge that I face as I attempt to gain management experience and strengthen my management skills. This article offers ways for non-managers to improve their management skills.

Some suggestions that I plan to implement are:

– taking a leadership role in facilitating meetings. This improves your  communication and plannings skills. Both of which are listed as key skills for managers to possess.

– training and/or mentoring new employees. This is something that I actually already do as the most senior analyst in my group, but I never considered it as a vehicle for gaining managerial experience. Again, this strengthens your communication skills, your ability to motivate people and your ability to understand and encourage good relationships.

Anybody who has set out to improve their management/leadership skills through MP this summer should definitely read this article and take the assessment to determine areas that they should concentrate on. I found this article especially helpful and will be implementing some of the suggestions in my every day work life.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_28.htm