Brought to you by Grand Canyon University:
The marketing department is one of the most important in any organization whether you deal with product or service. In corporations and organizations, people in leadership positions in the marketing department serve a variety of roles. Generally, they oversee a number of teams with employees working towards different objectives.
In order to pursue a career in a leadership position in the marketing department, there are certain skills and traits that you’ll need to have. They will help you succeed and adapt better to future changes within the department. If you want to hold any leadership position in marketing, these are some of the key qualities that are required.
1. Adaptability
As a manager in the marketing department, it’s your responsibility to direct your employees in the right direction to achieve the organization’s goals. At the same time, you need to ensure that their productivity and engagement levels are satisfactory, which can be a little challenging. Fortunately, every reputable leader with a Marketing DBA knows that a single strategy doesn’t work for every employee.
To successfully play any leadership role, you need to recognize that adaptability is a valuable skill. When you’re adaptable, you’re effective in different situations, especially if you deal with multiple products and services. For instance, some employees prefer more freedom within their roles while others prefer a more hands-on approach so they feel more supported.
As a leader, you should be able to analyze varying situations and apply the relevant leadership style to each unique circumstance. By being versatile, you’re able to empathize and understand your staff, which is very powerful in marketing.
2. Transparency
For someone overseeing a diverse group of people, being transparent will help you gain respect and trust from your staff. Transparency does come in a number of shapes. It can mean having clear and sincere communication within the organization or even owning up to your limitations and mistakes as a manager.
Admitting to your flaws also demonstrates that you have humility, which makes you a more capable leader. Additionally, it encourages learning within the department. Ultimately, employees are more willing to facilitate upskilling and admit to their weaknesses because you have set a precedence.
When it comes to communication, transparency plays a key role in different ways. Transparency from the highest positions down the entire organization helps to unify the business, even when the company is going through a rough time. Despite anything that is happening, you should be able to come up with goals that the entire organization can work towards.
Lastly, some short-term collaboration projects will also positively impact the organization’s long-term vision down the road.
3. Giving Your Staff Autonomy
To be successful in your leadership role, it’s necessary to have a certain level of innovation and creativity. Therefore, most leaders will also attract employees who are specialized, independent, and forward-thinking. As a manager, it may be challenging leading these people using traditional management methods. However, such employees are the backbone of each organization and are a driving force towards innovation.
A good manager appreciates the importance of working to improve the business by empowering their team. He or she also recognizes that nurturing them is the only way to promote productivity. One of the best ways to nurture your team is to accept that your employees know more about their expertise and skills than you.
Additionally, remember that you hired them because you recognized their ability to improve the business. Therefore, whichever style of management you use, you allow your staff to have freedom and autonomy to do their own work.
Furthermore, allow them to be responsible over their roles and projects. Often times, it can be difficult as a leader to relinquish control. However, giving your staff autonomy helps to boost their performance and empowers them. It also shields everyone from conflicts and keeps you from coming across as dictatorial.
Every marketing department needs to be led by a capable and efficient leader. If you intend to pursue a successful career in a leadership role, it will be essential to cultivate the right skills. The three qualities discussed above are a good place to start.
