08

skills every
maintenance
manager needs
Contents­
01 Leadership

02 Communication

03 Problem solving

04 People skills

05 Time management

06 Teamwork

07 Adaptability

08 Stress management
You’ve got the hard skills to do your job:
The knowledge of asset management
principles, technical knowledge of the
equipment, and years of experience
working in the field.

But managing people is a whole other can

of worms, and there are certain soft skills
essential to getting the most from your team.
01
Leadership
Leadership is about getting the job done
properly with the skill sets available, and
trusting your team to do good work.

A strong leader:
1. Sets clear policies from the start, so everyone is on the same page.

2. Agrees on what tasks need to get done and when.

3. Provides the team with the resources they need to be successful,

and removes any roadblocks along the way.

4. Follows-up with the team regularly to make sure they’re on schedule.

5. Recognizes a job well done.

Why you need it:

Having a clear vision of where you want the team to go, being able to
set expectations and ground rules, and setting a positive example for
others to follow are key to maintaining a happy and effective team.
02
Communication
Whether it’s emails, sticky notes, or face-to-
face conversations, you have to strike the right
balance between making yourself understood
and listening to the people around you.

The key to communicating:

Listen! It might seem simple, but really paying attention and
not just waiting for your turn to speak is essential to being
a good communicator.

Why you need it:

You negotiate daily with technicians, upper level management,
suppliers, contractors, machine operators, and project managers.
You need to be able to communicate effectively with all these
people in order to avoid miscommunications.
03
Problem solving
Good problem solvers can think clearly, solve
problems systematically, and make the right
decisions quickly.

4 steps to better problem solving:

1. Figure out what the problem is.

2. Gather the facts and come up with a plan of attack.

3. Test out your solution to see if it worked or not.

4. Did it work? Great. If not, go back to step 2.

> Get more tips here

Why you need it:

Managing maintenance budgets, supervising teams, prioritizing
work, and managing metrics all require top-notch critical thinking
and problem solving skills.
04
People skills
Finding the right people for the job is only half the
battle. Even if you have the best guys on your team,
you still have to identify areas for improvemen
and give them the training they need.

How to develop the people

on your team:
1. Hold regular conversations so the team can share information,
ideas, and experiences.

2. Plan your work orders so experienced team members can

mentor the less experienced.

3. Identify potential leaders in the group and reward them with

promotion opportunities when you can.

Why you need it:

You need people skills to find and keep good people.
Investing in people and making their long-term career
development one of your top priorities leads to a high
performing, productive, and motivated maintenance team.
05
Time management
Don’t confuse activity with achievement.
Good time management requires a shift in thinking
from just getting stuff done to actually achieving results.

Good timing:
1. Spend 15 minutes each morning planning your day, stick
to meeting schedules, and ensure all meetings end on time.

2. Use your CMMS to plan your day as well as your team’s day
by prioritizing and scheduling work.

Why you need it:

You’re pulled in a bunch of different directions every day,
so it’s important that you know how to use your time to
benefit the organization.
06
Teamwork
You need to recognize different strengths in each
individual team member and create teams that
complement each other and work well together.

Build stronger teams:

1. Look for team players who are reliable, respectful, cooperative,
flexible, and who show commitment to the team and the
task at hand.

2. Recognize the strengths in each team member and create teams

of people who complement each other and work well together.

Why you need it:

When individuals work together as a team they can bounce ideas off
each other to find the best solution faster and meet deadlines quicker.
07
Adaptability
Adaptability means embracing new ideas, new ways
of working, and new technologies. The most adaptable
individuals aren’t scared of uncertainties. Instead,
they respond positively when their routine changes.

Be adaptive:
1. Whether it’s at home or at work, try something new that forces you
out of your comfort zone.

2. Learn a new skill, try out new technology, and continually

reinvent yourself.

3. Challenge the ’way it’s always been done’, be open to fresh ideas,
and let go of stubborn thinking.

Why you need it:

If you’re set in your ways you risk being left behind. Being adaptable
lets you gain a competitive advantage by welcoming new ways of doing
everyday tasks and making existing processes more efficient.
08
Stress management
Good leaders don’t crumble under pressure.
Your job is going to have stressful moments,
but you can control how you react to these
situations, and how your team copes.

Don’t stress out:

1. Control the things around you that can lead to stress.
A clean desk, empty inbox, and well-managed calendar are all
great steps towards managing stress at work.

2. Go for a walk, hit the gym, or get outside. Physical activity is a

proven stress buster.

3. Take a few deep breaths before reacting to a stressful situation.

It’s a cliché for a reason—deep breaths give you time to calm down
and react thoughtfully, instead of making a snap judgement.

> Get more tips here

Why you need it:

Chronic stress is a killer— literally. Over time it can lead to heart disease,
high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety and a bunch of other
nasty ailments. Practicing good stress management doesn’t just benefit
your career, it can benefit your overall health as well.
One last thing…
Take a crack at learning and improving these
soft skills. They can go a long ways towards
small improvements like less stress, more
enjoyment, and better productivity
for you and your team.

Other resources:
> Choosing a CMMS: A short guide

> 11 reasons to invest in a CMMS

> The 4 big benefits of maintenance software