The managerial job

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(1) There are many aspects to the job of a manager and there is no complete agreement as to what exactly the job of a manager is. Some focus on decision-making, especially the kind of decisions that cannot be easily programmed. Others draw attention to leadership styles with an emphasis on particular traits especially those dealing with innovation and risk – taking. Closely related to this approach is the discussion of powers, influence and manager control over the working environment and subordinates. An additional view on the managerial job is the behavior of managers, which concentrates on interrelationships between people, work and organization. Each of these viewpoints has its value.

(2) But despite different approaches to the nature of managerial job, there are three fundamental tasks that make up managerial activities: a) managing work and organization, b) managing people, c) managing production and operations. These three tasks are typical for managers of all types of organizations: business, government or education. Managers accomplishmuch of their work through other

people.Whether the organization is small or large, private or public, managers must make sure that the work of the organization gets done and the organization itself is managed. Programs must be planned, employees must be advised, and decisions must be made, the tasks must be assigned and authority must be taken. So, managers must know how to motivate, plan, and communicate; they must know interpersonal relations and the behavior of groups of people.

(3) The key responsibilities of managers relate to the five major functions of planning, organizing, directing, controlling and staffing which constitute the framework of managerial activities. Management functions are the set of activities typical for most managerial jobs. The planning function helps an organization define and meet its objectives. The outcome of planning is a plan, which is a written document that specifies the course of action the organization will take. The organizing function includes all managerial activities required to turn plans into action and accomplish the work of individuals, groups, and organizations. Controlling involves overseeing the actual job performance against the planned results. Staffing is forecasting of personnel needs, recruitment and selection, training and development of employees. Decision – making is the most important responsibility of a manager at any level. Decisions are mechanisms by which a manager seeks to achieve some desired state.

(4) In order to adequately and efficiently perform these functions, managers need a number of skills: conceptual skills, human skills, technical and organizational skills. However, a different mix is required, depending on the level of a manager in the hierarchy of the organization. Technical skill is the ability to use specific knowledge or techniques in performing work. All managers must have the technical skills of the people they manage in order to perform their management jobs.Human skill is a reflection of a manager’s leadership abilities: ability to work with, communicate with, and to understand others. While human skill is critical at every level in management, it probably is most important at the lowest level.Conceptual skill is the ability to see the big picture, the complexities of the overall organization and how the various parts fit together. The importance of conceptual skills increases as one rises in management level. Computer abilities are extremely important for all managers as it substantially increases a manager’s productivity.

(5) Managers perform ten different but closely related roles, which can be separated into three different groupings: interpersonal roles (figurehead, leader, and liaison), informational roles (monitor, spokesman, and disseminator), and decisional roles (resource allocator, negotiator, disturbance handler, and entrepreneur).

Примечание.

aspect (n)зд.характеристика;точка зрения

interrelationship взаимосвязь

i nherent (adj) присущий, неотъемлемый

figurehead (n)номинальный руководитель

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Дата добавления: 2014-12-27