Summary
- A facility manager is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and management of a commercial or residential property.
- Among the many skills required, a good FM should have flexibility, communication skills, compassion and managerial skills.
Good facilities managers are the ones who keep everything running smoothly and make sure that their workplace is functioning optimally.
What is a facility manager?
A facility manager is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and management of a commercial or residential property.
Their job can include everything from ensuring that the building is up to code and that all the systems are running smoothly, to dealing with customer service issues and managing staff.
Here are some of the responsibilities that a facilities manager may have to undertake:
- Providing excellent customer service;
- Monitoring and maintaining the condition of the property;
- Preventing and resolving any maintenance or repair issues;
- Overseeing the janitorial staff and other building service contractors;
- Ensuring that all health and safety regulations are met;
- Managing finances and budgeting for repairs and renovations;
- Coordinating with other departments to ensure that everyone is on the same page;
- Giving cultural direction and defining the workplace experience.
As you can see, being a facility manager is no easy feat. So, what qualities make a good facility manager?
Key skills of a facilities manager
Communication
A good facilities manager must be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, from building maintenance staff to senior managers.
They need to be able to give clear instructions and updates and deal with any concerns or complaints that come their way.
Remember, communication isn’t just about speaking. It’s also about listening. They have to pay attention to what others are saying, so they can resolve any issues quickly and efficiently.
Organization
A good facilities manager needs to be highly organized. There are many moving parts in any workplace, and it’s their job to keep track of them.
This means having a good system for maintenance requests, keeping on top of inventory, and scheduling repairs and renovations as needed.
Flexibility
A good manager needs to be able to adapt and roll with the punches.
If a pipe bursts or the power goes out, they need to be able to think on their feet and come up with a plan. The ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions is valuable in this field.
Leadership
A good facilities manager is a leader. It entails being able to motivate and inspire their team to do their best work. It also means handling conflict and resolving issues quickly and efficiently.
If they can take charge when necessary and get everyone working together towards a common goal, they’ll be a successful.
Composure
There will be times when everything is going wrong. The heating system fails in the middle of winter, or there’s a flood in the office. It’s important to stay calm under pressure and think clearly to come up with a solution.
They must keep their head when things are falling apart around them, so they’ll be able to get through anything.
Compassion
It’s important to be understanding and compassionate towards employees, customers, and anyone else you come into contact with while working in this position.
Everyone has different needs, and it’s part of a FM’s job to find a way to accommodate them. Otherwise, they’ll quickly find themselves at odds with the people they’re supposed to be helping.
Knowledge
To be a good facilities manager, it’s also important to stay up-to-date on industry changes and developments.
That way, they can ensure that their workplace is always compliant, running smoothly, and keeping up with the competition.
Culture
According to Gallup’s State of the Local Workplace, a company can lose up to $7 trillion due to employees being disengaged at work. Thus, a good facilities manager understands the importance of workplace culture and helps creates an environment that employees want to be a part of.
Sustainable
Carbon footprints, energy-efficient buildings, and “green” initiatives are becoming increasingly important. A good facilities manager is up-to-date on the latest sustainable practices and incorporates them into the workplace.
Strategic
A facilities manager needs to see how all the pieces fit together and make decisions that will benefit the company as a whole.
Management
Of course, they’ll need excellent management skills to be a good facilities manager. This includes everything from budgeting and financial planning to project management and team building.
These are just a few qualities that make a good facilities manager. If they have these skills, they’ll be well on their way to success in this field.
Wayleadr’s last mile automation software offers those in this position the opportunity to incorporate green initiatives, increase the morale of staff and change the culture around the office.
To find out more, click below for a free demo.
