What managers really do and the skills required: knowledge provided by direct observation studies

The aim of this paper is to identify the required skills needed for a managerial position through analyzing the results of the studies of managerial behavior identified by direct observation. The most important findings in managerial behavior research were revised, synthesized and classified into three categories: 1) The stressful nature of managerial work; 2) The social nature of managerial work, and; 3) The situational nature of managerial work. This classification was used, as a framework to identify the skills that need to be developed to face the challenge of a manager's job. These issues are discussed.