The 10 essential skills of an operations manager and how to master them
Written by Tony Demeulemeester, Co-founder & COO @ Eli
January 21, 2026 · Updated January 23, 2026 · 9 min read
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The operations manager plays a key role in the day-to-day management of a team and in achieving the goals set by the company. This position requires a balance between technical skills (hard skills) and behavioral skills (soft skills) to ensure productivity, optimize organization, and promote employee well-being.
Being a good manager is not just about making decisions and meeting deadlines. It is also about adopting effective leadership, demonstrating interpersonal skills, maintaining a critical mindset, and developing a management strategy that combines listening, empathy, and efficiency.
In this article, we explore the key managerial skills that a team leader must master to succeed in their career. From project management to continuous training, and from supporting employee development to performance management, discover the essential levers to be a good manager and ensure the success of your activity.
What is an operations manager?
An operations manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of activities and must ensure that operations run efficiently. They play a key role in optimizing work processes, which implies significant responsibility for team dynamics and the achievement of organizational objectives. In other words, they are the bridge between the company’s strategy and its day-to-day execution.
To be a good operations manager, it is essential to show initiative and responsiveness when dealing with everyday unforeseen events. This means being able to manage deadlines, oversee a budget, and support the professional development of team members. The ability to adapt quickly to change is a key skill in this role.
The essential qualities of an operations manager include leading by example, maintaining team motivation, and showing perseverance. In difficult situations, they must be able to remotivate their teams despite the challenges encountered. These qualities are what distinguish a good manager from a simple supervisor.
The key responsibilities of an operations manager
The responsibilities of an operations manager are numerous and varied. One of the most important is resource management, which includes coordinating teams and planning tasks while staying within budget. A good manager ensures that their team has the resources it needs to work effectively.
It is also crucial to clarify the link between the day-to-day activities of team members and the company’s objectives. This helps align everyone’s efforts with the expected results and ensures that everyone is working in the same direction.
To ensure the team’s success, it is essential to delegate tasks appropriately while maintaining open communication. Anticipating problems and offering development opportunities are crucial aspects of maintaining team motivation and productivity. A manager who delegates effectively and communicates openly with their team creates a positive and productive work environment.
Technical skills required for an operations manager
Technical skills are essential for achieving objectives and mastering the tools used in operations. Technical expertise strengthens leadership and supports the development of team skills. In other words, the more technically competent a manager is, the better they can guide their team towards success.
An operations manager can acquire technical skills through academic studies, specific training programs, or hands-on experience. For example, project management techniques in Lean Management are a typical example of a required technical skill set. These skills not only improve productivity but also enable complex problems to be solved effectively.
Mastering technical skills is therefore a crucial lever for any manager who wants to optimize their team’s performance and achieve set objectives, while demonstrating solid know-how.
Leadership and team management
Leadership is defined as the ability to guide the team towards its goals and inspire employees. Leaders are often seen as visionaries who help define a company’s strategic direction. They motivate their team to reach ambitious goals by conveying energy and enthusiasm.
A positive work environment, supported by a strong corporate culture, helps maintain team members’ motivation. Managers must encourage interactions that strengthen team cohesion. Behavioral skills are essential to motivate the team, bring people together, and create group momentum while involving each employee.
Good leadership fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability within the team. Active listening strengthens trust and helps identify each employee’s strengths. Ultimately, a manager who excels in leadership creates an environment where every team member feels valued and motivated.
Effective communication
An operations manager must ensure smooth communication between team members and stakeholders. Here are some key elements to consider:
Clear and transparent communication fosters trust and engagement within the team.
It inspires team members.
It ensures the right information is shared.
It reassures people.
It is crucial for a manager to encourage open dialogue and actively listen to feedback from their team. Adapting their communication style to different situations and audiences is also essential. Tailored communication reduces the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts within the team.
Clearly communicated objectives and expectations at the start of a project help the team focus on its tasks. Regular check-ins are important to track progress and provide constructive feedback. Effective communication is therefore one of the most important levers for a team’s success.
Planning and organization
The manager must set clear priorities for their team in order to provide effective direction. The ability to prioritize helps a manager focus the team’s efforts on the most important tasks. This means planning activities and identifying the key levers needed to achieve objectives.
An effective action plan must be precise, structured, and prioritized to optimize work. The goal of a strategic action plan is to frame, phase, and prioritize actions. Planning and organizing activities make it possible to achieve objectives within deadlines and budget.
Digital tools such as project management software make it easier to plan and track tasks. Mastery of tools like Notion, Asana, Gantt charts, or ClickUp is essential for an operations manager’s organization. Anticipating unforeseen events is a key skill for a manager to quickly adjust action plans.
Decision-making
A good operations manager is often recognized for their ability to make quick and sound decisions. Decision-making leads to concrete actions in an uncertain environment. It involves choosing between several alternatives after weighing the pros and cons of each.
Analytical skills and initiative are essential for evaluating options. Here are some points to consider:
Deciding alone can allow for faster execution.
It can also lead to choices that are biased by emotion.
Decision-support tools, such as dashboards and matrices, can help minimize risks.
These tools provide an overall view.
It is crucial for a manager to adapt quickly to changes in the work environment. Here are some key managerial skills for an operations manager’s success:
Effective decision-making
Adaptability
Clear communication
Time management
Leadership
These skills make it possible to navigate successfully in a constantly changing work environment.
Stress management
The main causes of stress for a manager include pressure from senior management, operational constraints, and employees’ expectations. Poor stress management can lead to a loss of clarity and have a negative impact on the team. It is therefore crucial to know how to manage stress in order to maintain a productive work environment.
Time management is critical to avoiding stress and meeting deadlines. Setting priorities and maintaining good organization are key skills for managing pressure. Encouraging employees to find solutions themselves also helps reduce stress within the team.
One example of managing pressure is reorganizing activities to adapt to a new context, such as during the pandemic. Resilience enables a manager to adapt to change and maintain the team’s motivation. Managing one’s time contributes not only to personal well-being but also to that of the team.
Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence encompasses the ability to perceive and regulate emotions, both one’s own and those of others. This ability makes it possible to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions and those of others. According to Daniel Goleman, managers’ emotional competencies account for two-thirds of a company’s results.
A manager with strong emotional intelligence can better manage their own behavior as well as that of their employees. This includes recognizing basic emotions such as:
joy
anger
fear
sadness
This understanding makes it easier to support their teams. The ability to understand and feel employees’ emotions is essential for managing interpersonal relationships, as are strong interpersonal skills.
Creating a work environment where employees feel comfortable helps reduce stress. The sense of belonging within a team plays a crucial role in managing stress at work. Ultimately, emotional intelligence fosters a positive work culture and improves performance.
Continuous training and personal development
Continuous training enables managers to stay up to date with new methods and trends in their field. Managers who receive training are better prepared to face contemporary management challenges. Investing in manager training helps strengthen corporate culture and improve employee retention.
Personalized development programs help managers progress and adapt to changes in their sector. This may include training on stress management, which helps employees better recognize its symptoms. A good manager must also encourage the development of their employees’ skills.
By investing in continuous training and personal development, managers can not only improve their own skills but also those of their team, thereby contributing to the overall success of the business.
In summary
The operations manager is an essential pillar within the company, ensuring that objectives are met and teams function smoothly. Thanks to a combination of technical and behavioral skills, they know how to make decisions, organize work effectively, and maintain a balance between performance and employee well-being.
A good manager must continually develop their expertise and leadership by drawing on training and experience. By cultivating emotional intelligence, being available, and applying management best practices, they create an environment that supports collective success.
By integrating these key managerial skills, any team leader can turn their role into a lever for personal and professional growth, actively contributing to their organization’s strategy and overall performance.
Frequently asked questions
What is an operations manager?
An operations manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of activities and for optimizing work processes to ensure operational efficiency. This role is essential to the smooth running of the organization.
What are the key responsibilities of an operations manager?
An operations manager must manage resources, coordinate teams, and plan tasks to ensure that day-to-day activities are aligned with the company’s objectives. This is essential to guaranteeing optimal operational efficiency.
Why are technical skills important for an operations manager?
Technical skills are crucial for an operations manager because they support the achievement of objectives, strengthen leadership, and enable effective development of team capabilities. By mastering these skills, the manager inspires confidence and optimizes collective performance.
How can a manager effectively manage stress?
To manage stress effectively, a manager must set priorities, maintain good organization, and foster resilience within the team. These actions help them better manage their time and responsibilities.
Why is continuous training important for a manager?
Continuous training is essential for a manager because it enables them to stay informed about new methods and to strengthen corporate culture, which in turn supports employee retention. Investing in such training is therefore crucial to meeting today’s management challenges.