Developing the Skills

The skill conception of administration suggests that we may hope to improve our administrative effectiveness and to develop better administrators for the future.

For many years people have contended that leadership ability is inherent in certain chosen individuals. We talk of "born leaders," "born executives", "born salesmen." it is undoubtedly true that certain people, naturally or innately, possess greater aptitude or ability in certain skills. But research in psychology and physiology would also indicate, first , that those having strong aptitudes and abilities can improve their skill through practice and training, and, secondly, that even those lacking the natural ability can improve their performance and over-all effectiveness.

The skill conception of administration suggests that we may hope to improve our administrative effectiveness and to develop better administrators for the future. This skill conception implies learning by doing. Different people learn in different ways, but skills are developed through practice and through relating learning to one's own personal experience and background. If well done, training these basic administrative skills should develop executive abilities more surely and more rapidly than through unorganized experience.

Technical skill requires sound grounding the principles, structures, and processes of the individual specialty, coupled with actual practice and experience during which the individual is watched and helped by a superior, appear to be the most effective.

ACTION POINT: Develop your skills through practice and personal experience.