Management Basics
What is Management?
Management is the process of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives. It is a learned skill, not a talent.
What do Managers do?
Managers plan, direct and coordinate all functions related to producing goods or services in an organization. They determine policies and provide direction for companies, government agencies, schools and other organizations. They also direct and coordinate the activities of a number of people.
What are some key qualities of a manager?
A manager has to have excellent communication skills, be able to collect vital information from employees and know how to use it. Good managers keep everyone informed on what’s going on, what’s expected of them and where they fit into the big picture. They have to keep morale high, delegate tasks and responsibilities, stay organized, be able to solve problems effectively and ensure everyone is working as a team.
What does it take to become a manager?
Earning a management position takes several years of experience in the workforce at various levels. There are many different college degrees that will prepare you for a management position. You can also earn your degree by completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, public administration, organizational behavior and industrial psychology.
What courses should I take to become a manager?
To get started you may want to consider taking Introduction to Business Management, Intermediate Microeconomics and Managerial Accounting. Later on, during your bachelor’s or master’s degree, you may want to take Organizational Behavior, Project Management and Systems Analysis.
What is the difference between management and leadership?
While a manager is responsible for planning and directing the work of others, a leader motivates employees to perform better. Leaders may have great ideas or solutions that they share with their staff, whereas managers focus on the implementation of these ideas through plans and procedures.
What skills are important in managerial positions?
For any type of management position you need to be good at solving problems, working with people and communicating. You need to be flexible yet organized, have excellent time management skills and an eye on the bottom line. You also need to either like or tolerate accounting, finance and budgeting activities.
What are some of the things that new managers should expect?
New managers can expect to spend their time doing a combination of planning, organizing, delegating and controlling. They should expect to have daily discussions with employees about problems they may be having and the progress they are making toward their goals. Managers also need to evaluate employee performance on a regular basis and make sure everyone is working effectively in their position.
New managers need to know how to:
– Assign and prioritize tasks and responsibilities
– Provide employees with the tools and training needed to perform their jobs well
– Set standards for job performance
– Evaluate employee performance and provide feedback. Employees need recognition, positive reinforcement and constructive criticism in order to do their work effectively.
What special challenges will new managers have to deal with?
New managers will need to learn how to handle the stress of their new position. They’ll also need to quickly figure out who are the go-getters on their team and who they can trust. Additionally, they will have to decide how best to motivate each member of their team so that everyone achieves success together.
What are some soft skills for managers?
Some soft skills that employers look for in managers are self-management, active listening, teamwork building and conflict resolution. They should be leaders with integrity who motivate their team to perform well. Managers also need good communication skills as they spend much of their time communicating with employees about what’s expected of them and how their work contributes to the organization.
Managerial Communication Skills Include:
– Active listening
– Asking good questions
– Brainstorming ideas
– Building rapport with others
– Coaching and developing employees’ skills
– Developing a vision for the company or department
– Encouraging feedback from employees and adjusting accordingly
– Expediting work flow and solving problems as they arise
– Giving and receiving feedback, including performance reviews and coaching sessions
– Good written and verbal communication skills e.g. delivering brief presentations and writing reports
What attributes do successful managers possess?
Successful managers need to be organized, can handle stressful situations well and have excellent leadership abilities. They should also demonstrate the ability to work on a team, have good time management skills and are analytical. They also need to be creative problem solvers who are able to think outside the box in order to come up with innovative solutions to issues that arise within an organization.
Summary:
Management is a respected field that can lead to a fulfilling career if the right education and work experience are combined. There are many different college degrees that can prepare you for a managerial position in any number of industries. You also have the option to earn your degree by completing just a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, public administration, organizational behavior and industrial psychology.
It takes several years in the workforce at various levels to earn a management position. While managers are responsible for planning and directing the work of others, leaders motivate employees to perform better. In managerial positions new managers need to be good at solving problems, working with people and communicating. They should expect to spend their time doing a combination of planning, organizing, delegating and controlling. New managers will need to quickly figure out who are the go-getters on their team and who they can trust. In order to do their work effectively they will have to decide how best to motivate each member of their team so that everyone achieves success together.