Skills required for pursuing an MBA degree

The India Skills Report 2025 predicts promising opportunities for graduates in India, especially in the management field. As per the latest report, over 55% of Indian graduates are likely to be employed globally by 2025, with management graduates leading at 78%. 

This reinforces the value of an MBA as a higher education degree and the reason for its popularity among Indian students. Further, the presence of 8 Indian business schools in the top 100 of the recently released Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2025 confirms the quality and stature of B-schools in India and their degrees. 

The value of an MBA program comes from its vast career opportunities and growing earning potential. An MBA is not only about gaining business skills; it inculcates qualities, competency, and a positive attitude among students required to succeed in the thriving business world. 

MBA graduates must have the right knowledge with smart strategies, together with the know-how of market trends, to excel in this field. Mastering these specific skills is crucial for MBA success. Let us take a look at the MBA essential skills required to pursue the degree and for rewarding career prospects. 

Core business & analytical skills

Analytical and core business leadership skills in MBA courses equip graduates with the knowledge to help them make better business decisions based on data. This further makes these skills essential for MBA graduates and professionals to drive business growth. Strategic planning, market research, problem-solving, and financial analysis are some core business and analytical skills that MBA graduates must acquire to perform and grow better in their future roles and responsibilities. 

Financial & data analysis – Understanding market trends & business performance

Among the various roles and responsibilities performed by MBA graduates in their careers, market trend evaluation is a key one. Knowing market trends helps these professionals make better and more informed business decisions. Improved strategies and decisions invariably help in better performance and enhanced growth of their companies, making them critical skills for MBAs to acquire. 

Strategic thinking & problem-solving – Decision-making in complex scenarios

We know that problem-solving and strategic thinking are among the top soft skills for MBA students, which teach them how to make crucial decisions during complex scenarios. These skills are part and parcel of a business career, supporting better performance, regardless of the sector in which these graduates are employed. 

Businesses are likely to face unforeseen situations now and then, requiring managers to be on their toes to handle such crisis scenarios with ease. MBA programs allow learners to practice problem-solving and decision-making as part of their curriculum to help them master these skills effectively.  

Leadership & interpersonal skills

While hard skills needed for an MBA are important to perform specific tasks, they are not the only skills that matter to succeed in your MBA program. Having good soft skills like leadership and interpersonal qualities is equally necessary in achieving your key competencies for MBA and help earn rewarding managerial positions.   

Team management & collaboration – Working in diverse teams

Teamwork or the ability to work in diverse teams is among the top soft skills for MBA students that is highly valued across workplaces. Hence, team management and collaboration skills are pivotal for MBA graduates to pursue the degree as well as to succeed in their careers. 

Being a great team player means understanding your role, being open to working together, taking responsibility, being flexible, staying positive, and dedicating yourself to the team. An MBA helps professionals learn teamwork, problem-solving, strategy-making, and empathy, boosting their career growth and company success. 

Negotiation & conflict resolution – Essential for leadership roles

Negotiation and conflict resolution have always been MBA essential skills for managers. Further, with the evolving future of work, strong interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and emotional intelligence are becoming essential for success in the corporate world for MBA degree holders. It involves the alertness and active listening skills of MBA graduates with robust communication and superior flexibility. 

Communication & presentation skills

Recruiters specifically mention the need for candidates with good articulation and clear written skills in most MBA job descriptions. Companies, in the current scenario, need professionals who can connect with diverse groups of people. Hence, the effectiveness of good communication and presentation skills is crucial for MBA aspirants.  

Business writing & report analysis – Clarity in professional communication

One of the key aspects of communication and presentation skills for MBA graduates is having clarity in business communications. MBAs are required to write and analyze business reports, and clarity in these forms of communication is essential to convey their ideas and thoughts. This way, they can not only put their points forward but also convince stakeholders of the effectiveness of their ideas.

Public speaking & persuasion – Presenting ideas effectively

Public speaking and persuasion are key competencies for MBAs that go a long way in presenting ideas, influencing decisions, and inspiring actions. MBA professionals must possess persuasion skills to be able to convey ideas effectively and convince stakeholders to accept their ideas. Without these crucial business leadership skills, MBA managers might miss opportunities to persuade management/stakeholders on a concept or business proposal. Without this critical skill, they may suffer from failed communication and lose chances for personal and professional growth.

Digital & technological skills

Digital and technological expertise are among the other important hard skills needed for MBA graduates and are vital for all levels across businesses. Especially in today’s scenario, when every industry is digitally progressing, strong knowledge of these skills is a must-have for MBA students as they are commonly sought by recruiters.    

Data-driven decision-making – Importance of business analytics

Effective data-driven decision-making requires not only analyzing data but also leading teams and driving organizational changes. MBA professionals, in their careers, are required to use data-driven insights and communicate key findings to stakeholders to build strategies and enhance business efficiency, making business analytics crucial.

Understanding emerging technologies – AI, blockchain, and automation in business

Today, businesses rely on analytics, AI, and automation for many of their operational optimization needs and to improve customer experience. Understanding emerging technologies has become the need of the hour with the growing demand for managers and leaders who understand emerging technologies together with strategic management. 

An MBA helps in bridging the gap by equipping graduates with skills to help them drive technology in the business environment. Understanding emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and automation are crucial hard skills needed for MBA professionals to access technology and drive innovation.

Pursue an online MBA from Online Manipal

Online Manipal is a popular platform offering online MBA programs by various esteemed universities, such as Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). 

An MBA is more than a mere qualification; it is about honing skills and broadening your career scope and prospects of advancement. MAHE online MBA programs available at the renowned Online Manipal platform allow students as well as working professionals to pursue higher degrees without compromising on the quality of education.   

The degree further helps learners enhance their skills through continuous assignments, projects, participation in interactive digital sessions, and online exams. Our MBA programs offer wide specializations and are globally recognized.  

Conclusion

Pursuing an online MBA program offered by MAHE for working professionals on the Online Manipal platform comes with several advantages. Available in fully online mode, the program allows complete convenience and flexibility for students and professionals to pursue their education while managing jobs or other responsibilities. Embarking on a step-by-step journey with an online MBA program offered by MAHE can help fulfill your career aspirations and allow you to climb the corporate ladder. Enroll today to explore unlimited career potential with an MBA degree in hand!