What skills should a manager possess in order to be successful?

Not listing the usual suspects (you can find them anywhere) SKILLS & TRAITS

1. Makes quality work worth it - managers and organizations not having this is probably the most common rant people have in regards to their job.

2. Enjoys his/her job - it is more damaging than you'd think to have a manager who doesnt love what they do and conversely, a happy manager (good happy, not a sadist) has a substantial impact on morale of his/her team. Good morale significantly improves productivity and teamwork. 3. Has a sense of humor - interesting/unusual one but especially under pressure, makes a huge huge positive difference. 4. Is able to assess needs - this probably comes from good sense and a lot of experience but is critical to success. 5. Has a reputation for competence among his/her own peers - all else being equal, people enjoy working for a star. But most importantly, this builds credibility - which is the most prized asset a manager can have w.r.t. his/her directs. 6. Stays "on the balcony" - is capable of stepping out and viewing the bigger picture objectively. When confronted with issues (except ones that necessarily need immediate solutions), a good manager doesnt focus on solving the issue right away but thinks about how it happened and why it is an issue in the first place. 7. Adaptability - managers usually bring the news about all kinds of changes to their directs. A good manager is able to adapt to changing conditions and is able to focus on making things progressively better. One who s set in his/her own ways cannot lead. 8. Clarity - a good manager clearly understands his/her role, and this means absolute clarity and specificity. Given that, the good manager has clear understanding of his/her circles of control and influence. And focuses on improving things within his/her circle of control and is constantly expanding his/her circles of control and influence.