11 Top MBA Skills and Why They Matter to Employers (2023)

According to the Graduate Management Admission CouncilSurvey of recruiters in companies, 91% of companies worldwide plan to hire MBA graduates in 2021.

Recruiters value the core MBA skills you learn and develop at business school, they trust MBA programs to prepare students well to be successful in their companies, andMBA salaries and hiring are returning to pre-pandemic levels.

So what skills will you develop during your MBA and why are they so important to employers? Here are 11 top MBA skills recruiters value most.

1. Communication Skills

To function smoothly, companies need employees who can easily communicate with colleagues, customers and managers. The ability to express yourself clearly and confidently is one of the most sought-after MBA skills in the corporate world - and one that you will perfect during your MBA.

“While our clients are grappling with how to do business in the digital world, we are looking for candidates who demonstrate strong business acumen and client communication skills. You can be as smart as the day is long, but if you don't communicate it, you won't get as far as you want," says Frances Taplett,Managing Director of top consulting firm Boston Consulting Group(BCG).

You will learn how to be a confident presenter, attentive listener and concise writer, able to tailor your message to all types of audiences and across different mediums. If you can communicate your ideas persuasively and expertly resolve conflicts - whether in person or remotely - you'll be an asset to any team you're part of.

"[Communication] will create truly meaningful leadership as long as it has authenticity and truth," explains JP Connelly, associate professor at UCD's Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

2. Versatility and flexibility

During an MBA, you'll master the art of time management while juggling a heavy workload, community commitments, and professional commitments.

After an intense year or two of putting on multiple hats, versatility and flexibility will feel like second nature.

The ability to take on varied tasks and to switch quickly from one job to another will prove to be just as important after graduation. They often have to organize different projects at the same time and remain as adaptable as possible when problems arise and plans get out of hand.

For example, many MBA graduates will go on to work for management consulting firms, which require you to understand the perspectives of different stakeholders and orient yourself mid-project.

3. Strategic thinking

Think strategicallymeans challenging your own prejudices and assumptions, seeking relevant information to make informed decisions, and taking the time to think to find the right course of action.

Strategic thinkers are able to plan for the future, anticipating trends and cultivating the necessary foresight while keeping an eye on what needs immediate attention.

Your MBA will equip you with that invaluable and multi-faceted skill that employers find critical to a well-functioning workplace.

4. Digital literacy

Organizations need to adapt to an increasingly digitized world and are looking for people who understand social media engagement, know how to navigate different software and are willing to learn about the new technologies that are being developed every day.

"It's about wanting to learn and constantly staying outside of your comfort zone because we're working with more sophisticated tools and deeper expertise than ever before," reflects Keith Bevans, consultant at top consulting firm Bain & Company.

Depending on the modules offered, your MBA will introduce you to a range of digital and technology skills, including digital marketing, analytics, web development, and sometimes even programming. Expertise in these tools and ability to leverage new technologies will help you differentiate in the corporate world, especially in the technology industry.

“The future is digital, and professionals need digitally-focused education to adapt to the new normal,” says Professor Tai-Yuan Chen, Digital MBA Program Director at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

5. Entrepreneurship

Even if you plan to join a larger organization rather than start your own business, an entrepreneurial mindset is beneficial. Being able to think ahead of the curve is one of the most valuable top MBA skills in the business world.

The success of companies isdependent on innovation, and they are always on the lookout for talented graduates who bring fresh ideas to drive the business forward.

Your MBA will teach you to spot market gaps and understand trends, which means you'll always be one step ahead. Through individual and group projects, you will develop a keen business acumen that will make you an inventive and astute entrepreneur.

6. Leadership Qualities

Leadership is one of the most fundamental MBA skills. Many programs offer core leadership courses that teach you how to oversee, lead, and motivate a team to work towards a common goal.

According to GMAC's Corporate Recruiters Survey, it is the second most valued skill among business school graduates, just behind interpersonal skills.

Companies want empathetic and reliable leaders who can adapt to new contexts and unforeseen circumstances. If you're pursuing an online or hybrid MBA, you may have developed a knack for it, tooRemote team buildingacross different ways of working, time zones and locations.

"There is a great demand for international and agile executives with the professional experience to work in very demanding positions," reflects Léon Laulusa, Dean of Academic Affairs and International Relations at ESCP Business School.

"The MBA is the right program for this."

7. Resilience

During your MBA studies you will be confronted with a whole range of challenges. Projects will fail, collaborations will fail, and not every work you produce will be of the highest quality.

You will experience similar setbacks in the corporate world, but what matters is your ability to recover, learn your lesson and move on. Progress is only possible through self-knowledge and the willingness to grow from mistakes.

READ: Which Companies Hire the Most MBAs?

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8. Troubleshooting

Your MBA will teach you how to find solutions to complex problems by digging beneath the surface, considering different viewpoints and always keeping the big picture in mind. You will learn how to identify the root cause of a problem, brainstorm with your colleagues and create clear steps to solve it.

your experience withWorking with a mixed group of studentsand stretching across cultural boundaries will also serve you well. "Different teams are more effective largely because different cultural groups see things completely differently," says Stephanie Jones, associate professor of organizational behavior at the Maastricht School of Management (MSM). "Different perspectives help with problem solving and creative thinking."

9. Decision Making

Your MBA will teach you both short- and long-term decision-making, which requires excellent time management, organizational and relationship skills.

By learning how to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and manage operations, you develop empathy for others and insight into their motivations. This will make you an efficient decision-maker, able to think quickly and decide on the best course of action quickly.

You can determine how to allocate resources and prioritize tasks in a way that makes the company more productive and keeps everyone happy.

10. Interpersonal Skills

MBAs include many group projects that teach you how to collaborate, communicate and compromise effectively with people from different backgrounds and different areas of expertise.

After you graduate, these interpersonal skills are what recruiters value most, according to GMAC. Your ability to work with diverse teams, understand human behavior and manage human capital will prove invaluable in a professional environment.

11. Networks

One of the strongest benefits you will get from your MBA is a diverse and close-knit network.

You will meet people from all over the world and make lifelong friendships that will benefit you years later. TheAbility to build, maintain and expandA strong network of professional connections will come in handy in the workplace as your employer may ask you to use this network.

The networking skills you'll acquire during your MBA will also allow you to expand your network even further, creating opportunities for learning, partnerships and growth as you advance in your industry.

Next reading:

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