Mind Tools launches new Manager Skills Assessment to empower organizational leadership

Mind Tools, a leading provider of management and leadership skills development solutions, has announced the launch of its new Manager Skills Assessment (MSA). This new tool is designed to help organizations build stronger, more effective leaders by giving them a clear, evidence-based understanding of their capabilities. 

Meeting today’s managerial challenges 

In today's fast-paced and complex work environments, the demand for resilient and capable leaders has never been greater. The MSA is specifically designed to address this need by helping managers identify their strengths and development areas, as identified in our research report, Building Better Managers. This allows organizations to align their learning and development initiatives with strategic goals, ensuring that their leadership talent pipeline is equipped to handle both current and future challenges. 

Shabnam Shahani, CEO at Mind Tools, emphasized the importance of this new tool: 

"We know that leadership is a critical factor in the success of any business. Our own research has also highlighted that many managers struggle to properly identify their strengths and weaknesses, which therefore makes it challenging for them to close their capability gaps and demonstrate progress in their skills development.  

“Our Manager Skills Assessment provides a clear, evidence-based diagnosis of managerial capabilities and helps organizations develop leaders who can rise to meet the complexities of today’s workplace." 

Key features of the Manager Skills Assessment 

The MSA stands out in the market due to its rigorous research foundation and comprehensive approach. Some of the key features include: 

• Empowering managers: The MSA equips managers with insights into their own capabilities, helping them build the skills needed to succeed in their roles. 

• Driving organizational success: By delivering a holistic view of management capabilities, the MSA enables organizations to target leadership development more effectively and strategically. 

• Built on proven research: Developed through an extensive literature review and data from a large-scale survey of over 2,000 managers, the MSA is grounded in robust, evidence-based insights. 

Proven impact across three key areas 

The MSA focuses on 12 critical skills identified through scientific research, grouped into four key areas: Emotional Intelligence, Motivating People, Developing People, and Setting Expectations. These skills are proven to impact: 

• People Outcomes: Higher engagement, improved well-being, and increased innovation. 

• Manager Outcomes: Enhanced decision-making, adaptability, and performance. 

• Business Outcomes: Greater profitability, customer satisfaction, and retention. 

Evidence-based approach for tangible results 

Mind Tools’ MSA is not just grounded in theory but has been validated by real-world data. The assessment framework was developed through an extensive review of scientific literature and validated by data from a comprehensive survey conducted in partnership with YouGov. This research highlights the growing challenge managers face in balancing technical expertise with people management skills, emphasizing the need for tools like the MSA to support their growth. 

Unlocking leadership potential 

For organizations that are committed to fostering resilient, future-ready managers, the MSA offers a valuable solution. The tool supports not only skills assessment but also continuous learning, personalized development strategies, and powerful analytics to track progress. 

As Owen Ferguson, Chief Product Officer at Mind Tools, concludes:  

“Our Manager Skills Assessment is not just another product – it's a transformative tool designed to elevate managers across all levels of an organization." 

Mind Tools invites organizations to explore how the MSA can support their leadership development efforts. Contact the team for a no-obligation consultation and learn more about how to equip your managers with the tools they need to thrive.