upper-level thinkingWhile each skill set is useful in different circumstances, conceptual skills tend to be most relevant in upper-level thinking and broad strategic situations (as opposed to lower-level and line management). As a result, conceptual skills are often viewed as critical success factors of leadership.
Conceptual skills are particularly important for top managers, who must deal with problems that are ambiguous but that could have far-reaching consequences.
Leaders with conceptual skills can take abstract ideas about hierarchy or a vision of the company orientation and translate them into practical principles. The importance of conceptual skills is greater for top management positions dealing with big-picture issues than for the lower ranks.
Conceptual skills include the ability to view the organization as a whole, understand how the various parts are interdependent, and assess how the organization relates to its external environment. These skills allow managers to evaluate situations and develop alternative courses of action.