What is the most important soft skill for someone pursuing a career in sales managing?

Some great answers in here.

If you want to pursue a career in managing , you must have the heart for it. Managing is not about "being the boss". You must take greater pleasure in the success of those you lead than you take in your own. They must come first. Your job is to help them understand what needs to be done (help them define what success looks like and the steps to get there), then to help remove obstacles and coach them along the way. Your success is entirely dependent upon theirs.

You could have every other skill and attribute out there, but your success will be limited by where your heart is. The people on your team will know whether or not you have their best interest at heart. If they know you do, your job gets a whole lot easier.

Great responses thus far! When I think of exceptional, and effective, sales managers that I've had in my career...the best of the best are the managers that intrinsically motivate their teams to work for them. Rather than setting hard lines and micro-managing every responsibility - exceptional managers lead by example, set a high baseline of performance by being high and motivating performances themselves. You walk out of a meeting with them and think to yourself "Wow, that person is so smart and so successful, I want that for my career, and you know what - it seems like that person wants to help me get there too!" Great managers look out for their team, genuinely, and do what they can do help you succeed. They protect upper management criticism, they are transparent about what does and does not matter within the job, and they answer questions in a way that doesn't make you feel stupid for asking. They recognize and give recognition where it's deserved, and help pick up your business when it's hitting a lul.

Keep in mind that to get to sales management - you'll need to be a sales representative first. The role is much different and hands on with each client but will also enable you to understand your sales teams every day responsibilities etc to make for a successful sales manager.

Hugely great answers here, I don't have much to add. I really find the main traits to further yourself in sales is to:
1) Listen to what the customer wants. Don't try to push the biggest dollar. You'll have return customers if they trust that you're doing right by them.
2) Being able to relate easily to people, and describe things so they understand. For example, I sell travel insurance. Each sale, I need to adapt to the customer whether they're brand new to even the idea of travel insurance, or if maybe they're well versed in the policies. Treat each sale personally.
3) If you're not necessarily directly selling, but managing only - you'll want to be empathetic. It's realizing that even each employee is different and may have different selling techniques. Work together! Team work!

Tyler there are so many 'soft skills' in sales management. I have been in sales for over 20 years. I sort of fell into it. Number one is getting along with all types of people. I think having a passion for helping people be successful, whether they are someone on your sales team or a customer, when your attitude is a win win solution, you will do well. This is not something really learned in school though. It is a trait/attitude you can develop over time. Some other important things are problem solving skills, relating to others well (I recommend working in customer facing jobs like hospitality, retail or restaurants while in school.) Customer service experience will help develop these things. I studied economics in college but any business type degree is a fit for sales. Business acumen is also important to develop as you work and go through school. A few other things are to be self motivated and driven. Never be the sales rep your manager has to baby sit. Be the team leader by example and you will work into management and up if you desire. I can tell you from someone who never thought of going into sales while in high school or college it was a very good fit and I have found it personally rewarding. Pays well too.

Fantastic question! I have been in sales management for a few years now, and I think the most important soft skill is leading with empathy. I believe in hiring diverse candidates, and ultimately that means that I am managing folks from all different types of backgrounds, with different personalities, and different needs. In order to be most effective, I find it hugely important to create psychologically safe spaces to ensure that all of my employees feel welcome at work. If my team feels like they belong, then they want to come to work, they want to perform well, and they are more likely to succeed! I find myself sharing personal stories about myself and my life and my background; this makes me seem more human to my employees, which results in trust (which again leads to high performance and general happiness in their work life).

-https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2014/09/5-essential-skills-you-need-successful-sales-manager-gp.html

Good sales managers understand people and prospective buyers... and understand how to both allow for freedom for their employees while still enforcing standards. Often times sales managers start out in presales/ market development roles, then move into sales for a while, and ultimately end up in sales management. Note my experience is based in enterprise software sales

I believe the most important skill is to listen. Also be kind. I have found the best way to manage is to find your staff doing things right and give praise.Ask them what they feel their weakness is and listen, really listen then work together to strengthen their weakness. if you staff knows you care and listen well as well as praise and recognize them for doing things right you will build trust and they will have confidence in you as their boss. You can't build a successful sales team without all of these things.
Was a sales Manager with staff in 3 States and they have always appreciated that I was in their corner and listened and was helpful and supportive. We have all gone our seperat ways now in other jobs but still stay in touch. You can't beat that kind of loyalty.

Great question! I agree with what others have said. I'd also add that organization is key. Anytime you're managing multiple people and projects, you want to make sure you're organized and on top of things. Leadership will often check in to see how people are doing or how projects are going and you want to make sure you can quickly and accurately provide an update.