Discussion
A manager is someone who can lead, direct and control operations and people in their organization without imposing their authority. In a world where a more informal working structure is becoming increasingly popular, a manager has to work with their team to achieve larger goals. Managers may be in charge of a department and the people who work in it. The Manager's duties also include managing employees or a section of the company on a day-to-day basis.
Functions of management are a great starting point to find the footing before diving in straight into a role of a manager. Functions of management helps managers stay informed about what they need to do and how so that they can guide their staff accordingly. For instance, in a meat processing company, the below are some of the managerial functions that take place in the organization;
Planning is an important function of management because it sets the pace for all subsequent steps in the managerial process. Managers need to develop a road-map for the future and predefined steps to accomplish organizational goals. In this step, managers have to evaluate methods and strategies to determine how they will progress toward their goal. Planning requires an active participation of the entire organization. With respect to time and implementation, planning must be linked to and coordinated on different levels. Planning must take the organization’s available resources and flexibility of personnel into consideration as this will guarantee continuity.
This is where managers put their plan into action by establishing a system of authority or hierarchy in the context of their organizational structure. Determine the tasks that need to be completed to achieve their goals before assigning them to their staff. Today’s business world is more dynamic and flexible. Every member of the organization regardless of position shares accountability and responsibility. An organization can only function well if it is well-organized. This means that there must be sufficient capital, staff and raw materials so that the organization can run smoothly and that it can build a good working structure. The organizational structure with a good division of functions and tasks is of crucial importance. When the number of functions increases, the organization will expand both horizontally and vertically.Â
A manager has to assign tasks based on each team member’s knowledge, skills and abilities. They have to be careful here because they may have to hire new talent for specific tasks that require specific technical expertise. Assessing the needs of the employees in terms of incentives, training and development and compensation are critical for the success of this step. An effective manager will have the insight to evaluate the competency and efficiency of their employees. This is to ensure that their assigned tasks match their skills. They have to adopt an empathetic approach to connect with their employees and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
When given orders and clear working instructions, employees will know exactly what is required of them. Return from all employees will be optimized if they are given concrete instructions with respect to the activities that must be carried out by them. Successful managers have integrity, communicate clearly and base their decisions on regular audits. They are capable of motivating a team and encouraging employees to take initiative.
Directing is concerned with supervising the team’s progress. The management has to keep an open channel of communication and get regular updates to stay on top of things. A great way to do this is by giving and receiving feedback to address any problem areas and improve performance. This is where managers have to act as leaders, navigate conflict and motivate their employees to take initiative. Managers have to give each team member enough autonomy to help them stay motivated and perform without constant supervision.Â
This is where managers have to measure the progress of each step established in the planning stage against their organizational goals. This step requires them to coordinate with their employees to ensure that they’re moving in the right direction and in the right manner. Controlling can be understood in terms of coordinating, reporting and budgeting.
Managers not only do they have to ensure that every step is going according to plan, but also watch out for potential problems to take corrective measures. Make timely adjustments and modifications where necessary. It’ll help them accomplish their goals faster within their time-frame and their budget.Â
Conclusion
Leading a team isn’t easy, managers have to accommodate different work styles, personalities and skill-sets. Functions of management highlight essential skills that every manager needs to supervise, coordinate and communicate with their teams. A good manager, needs to have the right insight to understand who they are working with and how they can use their abilities for the greater good of the organization.
Reference
Whitley, R. (1989). On the nature of managerial tasks and skills: their distinguishing characteristics and organization. Journal of management studies, 26(3), 209-224.
Comments
Leave a comment