The ability to manage people is the single most important skill for any new manager Knowing how people think, function and react when they are faced with differing outside forces. Developing respect for all people especially those who are different from you. If you learn how to work with people then you can also learn how to influence the way they act. If you can’t manage people no one will promote you to a management position. If you can’t manage people and you are in a management position then you are doomed to failure. A management degree will also help.