If you’re looking for your next great sales manager, you probably have a long list of qualifications they should meet. While it’s important to review candidates’ management experience and familiarity with certain industries or markets, hiring managers must also consider candidates’ soft skills.

Truly great sales managers have the key traits and capabilities to turn their team into a high-performing unit. This role is crucial to your bottom line, so you need a leader with all the right skills. Aja Frost, head of content SEO for HubSpot, has created a list of the seven skills to look for in great sales managers.

Keep reading this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, where we share Frost’s thoughts on the top skills for successful sales managers.

1. Analysis skills. The best sales managers often have strong analytical skills. They know how to glean insights from various sources to create accurate sales forecasts. If you are recruiting a new sales manager, look for professionals who know how to review data, draw meaningful conclusions and determine actionable steps.

2. Strategic planning skills. Sales managers should be able to analyze information and then identify next steps, says Frost. Most decisions involve making tradeoffs, which is where strategic planning skills come in. The best sales managers create sales plans that minimize losses, maximize profit and create sustainable growth.

3. Strong communication skills. Sales professionals need to be able to communicate accurately and effectively. Sales managers especially need to be able to communicate well—with both clients and their team members. Be sure your candidates have a proven track record of communicating effectively and empathetically, advises Frost.

4. Collaboration and motivation skills. When interviewing different candidates, you should also consider how well they work with others. Sales managers should take a vested interest in their team’s mission and must also know how to collaborate with marketing teams.

5. Delegation skills. Rather than trying to do everything, a great sales manager will delegate tasks to their team for maximum effectiveness, says Frost. This not only creates growth opportunities for other sales reps, but helps your sales manager grow in their leadership skills.

6. Composure skills. Sales can be a stressful career. Sales managers should be able to remain calm under pressure and cope with the role’s daily challenges. Frost recommends screening candidates for prior experience in high-pressure environments.

7. Solid people skills. The best sales managers are likeable people. They make others feel comfortable and work to foster an inclusive environment. Frost says it’s a good idea to ask targeted questions about a candidate’s experience managing diverse teams to get an idea of how they might collaborate with their peers and direct reports.

A skilled sales manager is a key component to a high-achieving sales team. You can help ensure you bring on the appropriate person for your organization by considering the skills above. Sales managers can always learn your team’s CRM, but if they do not possess the right soft skills, you may need to keep looking until you find the right fit.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Aja Frost is the head of content SEO for HubSpot.