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When I was reading and learning about the types, roles, skills, and the creation of management and managers it opened my eyes to what they truly were. It helped me understand and flesh out the different roles and skills for management like the discovery of Middle Manager for me or the key functions a manager may need to succeed.

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I watched this video more out of curiosity. I wanted to see what created a good manager, watching the video gives some rather good tips and expands upon some concepts that was in the reading material for Module 1 as well as bringing new concepts into the fold.

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This article focuses more on the aspects of how to function as a manager by focusing on the functions at the very end of the reading material.

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02/21/2024

Effective management enables organizational goals to be achieved. From upper management to middle management, managers are the strategic force behind business success.

Managers today have multifaceted roles. Their job is not just about mere supervision anymore.

Managers are responsible for ensuring the overall success of departments and organizations. They act as strategic thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders. According to Indeed, their duties involve a wide range of tasks from setting objectives and allocating resources to motivating workers and monitoring progress.

Managers Are Strategic Thinkers and Problem Solvers

A manager constantly analyzes market trends, identifies opportunities, and develops long-term plans to ensure the organization's growth and sustainability. By staying up to date with industry developments and understanding the competition, managers can make informed decisions that help an organization to succeed in reaching business goals.

A successful manager is expected to be an effective problem solver. Managers will encounter various daily challenges, ranging from conflicts among team members to operational inefficiencies.

It is their responsibility to identify issues, analyze their root causes, and implement appropriate solutions. As a result, managers require strong analytical skills and critical thinking; they must also collaborate with different stakeholders and suppliers.

Managers Have Effective Leadership Skills

Sound leadership demands inspiring and motivating teams to achieve their full potential.

Effective leaders create a positive work environment, encourage innovation, and create a culture of continuous learning. They adapt their leadership style to communicate objectives and expectations clearly to team members, encouraging feedback and collaboration. They also lead by example, set high standards of performance and ethics, and guide their subordinates toward success.

Leadership involves setting objectives, allocating resources, and providing organizational structure. Leaders define clear goals for their departments and ensure that budgets, manpower, and technological tools are appropriately allocated to achieve those goals. This work requires effective planning, coordination, and communication with different stakeholders, both within and outside the organization.

Managers Guide Projects to Achieve Business Goals

Monitoring progress is another critical responsibility of modern managers. They regularly use project management tools to assess the performance of their departments and teams, tracking key metrics and indicators. They identify areas for improvement, address any issues promptly, and make necessary adjustments to ensure that the organization stays on track toward achieving its objectives.

Monitoring progress also involves providing regular feedback and recognition to workers, which contributes to employee growth and motivation. By understanding the broader responsibilities associated with management, individuals can become well-rounded leaders capable of driving their organizations toward their goals.

It is essential for managers to continuously develop their skills and knowledge, staying current on industry trends and best practices. With the right mindset and a commitment to excellence, modern leaders can make a significant impact on their organizations and contribute to their long-term success.

The Four Functions of Management: A Historical Perspective

In today's business world, there are four basic management functions that guide managers. They are:

To comprehend the four functions of management, we must first delve into their historical development. Henri Fayol, a pioneer in the field of management theory, initially introduced these functions in the early 20th century.

These management functions are not meant to be approached as stand-alone concepts, but rather as interrelated processes that collectively contribute to the achievement of business goals.

1. Planning Function

Proper planning is the foundation upon which all other management functions are built. Tactical planning involves setting objectives, determining the best course of action, and developing strategic plans to achieve goals.

In the past, tactical planning was often seen as a top-down process. Decisions and strategic plans were made by higher-level executives and were then handed down to lower-level employees.

But as organizations have become more complex and dynamic, planning has evolved to include input from all levels of an organization. Today, planning is a collaborative process that involves gathering information, analyzing data, and making informed decisions that align with the organization's mission and vision.

2. Organizing Function

Once the planning phase is complete, the next function of management is organizing. Organizing involves using resources in a way that allows for an efficient, effective execution of the organization's tactical plans. It also involves tasks such as:

Creating organizational structures

Defining roles and responsibilities

Establishing communication channels

In the early days of management, organizing was often seen as a mechanistic process. There was a focus on hierarchical structures and strict rules and regulations.

As organizations have become more flexible, organizing has evolved. Now, concepts such as team-based structures, cross-functional collaboration, and decentralized decision-making are embraced by many organizations.

3. Leading Function

Once an organization is properly structured, the next function of management is to lead that organization. Leadership involves influencing and motivating employees to achieve the organization's goals. Understanding and adapting different leadership styles allows a manager to effectively respond to the needs of each team member needs and organizational challenges, which can contribute to motivating workers.

Previously, leadership was often seen as a trait possessed by a select few individuals. As our understanding of leadership has evolved, it is now recognized that anyone can become a leader, regardless of their position within an organization.

For example, today's leadership is not limited to the people in formal managerial roles. Leadership includes individuals at all levels of an organization from top management executives, project managers, and department managers to low-level employees.

4. Controlling Function

The final function of management is controlling. This work involves monitoring performance, comparing actual results to planned objectives, and taking corrective action when necessary. In the past, controlling was often seen as a means of maintaining strict discipline and ensuring compliance with rules and regulations.

Now organizations have become more focused on continuous improvement and adaptability. As a result, controlling has evolved to include feedback mechanisms, performance metrics, and a focus on learning and development.

Effective control systems enable a manager to identify areas for business improvement, make necessary adjustments, and ensure that employees are headed in the right direction to achieve their goals within a clearly defined time period. When needed, managers of different departments can also provide guidance to their subordinates and to new employees.

The Importance of Planning in Achieving Company Objectives

At the heart of any successful business venture lies a well-crafted plan. Planning involves setting objectives, creating Gantt charts, determining the necessary actions to take, and establishing a timeline for their attainment. By clearly defining the path to success, a manager can provide clarity and direction to teams, helping them to stay focused on the desired outcomes.

Effective planning involves considering various factors such as market conditions, internal capabilities, and available resources. During planning, it is a manager's responsibility to analyze information, forecast future trends, and make informed decisions. A well-developed plan serves as a roadmap, guiding the organization toward its goals and ensuring that resource allocation is effective.

Planning is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. As circumstances change and new opportunities or challenges arise, managers must adapt and refine their plans accordingly. This dynamic approach to strategic planning allows organizations to stay agile and responsive in an ever-evolving business world.

Organizing: Efficiently Allocating Resources and Responsibilities

Once a strategic plan is in place, the next step is to organize what is necessary for employees to complete tasks.

Organizing involves identifying the tasks required to achieve the goals and allocating them to individuals or teams within the organization. This process ensures that each person knows their role, allowing for efficient resource allocation and the prevention of duplicate work that would be time-consuming to fix.

Effective organization requires managers to consider factors such as the skills and strengths of employees, the appropriate division of labor, and the establishment of clear reporting structures. By effectively organizing resources and responsibilities, they ensure that the necessary human capital and tools are in place to help the business run efficiently.

Organizing is not limited to internal resources but also extends to external stakeholders. Managers must establish effective relationships with suppliers, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the smooth flow of resources and information. This collaborative approach to organizing strengthens the organization and enhances its ability to achieve its objectives.

Leading: Inspiring and Guiding Teams

Leadership is at the core of every successful organization. A manager's job involves inspiring and motivating individuals within an organizational structure to work together towards a common goal. Successful supervisors possess strong leadership skills, enabling them to communicate effectively, foster a positive work environment, and inspire their teams to give their best.

Effective leadership involves not only providing visionary guidance but also supporting the development of employees. An effective leader encourages professional development, empowers employees to take ownership of their work, and fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. By leading effectively and ensuring all employees are on the same page and producing high-quality work, managers cultivate a sense of purpose and cohesion within the organization.

Controlling: Ensuring Company Goals Are Met

Controlling involves monitoring performance, comparing it against established standards, and taking corrective actions when necessary. By implementing control mechanisms, successful managers ensure that the organization stays on track and that deviations from a business plan are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

Controlling involves various activities, such as:

Establishing performance indicators

Collecting and analyzing data

Providing timely feedback to employees

Through effective controlling, managers can identify areas of improvement, celebrate successes, and ultimately ensure that key strategic goals are met. In today's business world, it may also be necessary to control the actions of teams in different time zones to ensure they adhere to a company's performance standards.

Controlling employees is not about micromanagement or stifling creativity. It is about creating an environment that allows for autonomy and accountability while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. By striking the right balance between control and flexibility, managers enable individuals and teams to perform at their best.

Pursuing Formal Education to Enhance Management Skills

While understanding the four functions of management is useful, the complexities of modern business require managers to continually enhance their knowledge and skills so that they can perform their core responsibilities with greater ease. Pursuing formal education, such as a master of business administration (MBA), can equip aspiring managers with a clear understanding of what is needed to navigate the ever-changing business environment and achieve organizational goals.

Formal education offers students the opportunity to study various management disciplines, including strategic planning, organizational behavior, and leadership. Through case studies, group projects, and discussions, learners can gain practical knowledge and apply it to real-world scenarios.

One of the key benefits of pursuing formal education is the exposure to different management theories and frameworks. By studying various approaches to management, potential business leaders can broaden their perspectives and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the field. This expanded knowledgebase can help them make informed decisions and tackle complex challenges with confidence.

Formal education programs often offer networking opportunities, allowing students to establish connections with peers and industry experts. This exchange of ideas and experiences can further enrich their management acumen, providing valuable insights and perspectives. Collaborating with professionals from diverse backgrounds can foster creativity and innovation, as students learn from others with different backgrounds and apply cross-disciplinary approaches to problem-solving.

In addition to theoretical knowledge and networking opportunities, formal education also offers practical learning experiences. Many programs incorporate internships or consulting projects, where students can apply their skills in real-world settings. This type of hands-on experience not only enhance students' understanding of management concepts but also provide valuable industry exposure and a chance to build a professional reputation.

Effective management is a cornerstone of organizational success. By understanding and implementing the four functions of management - the planning function, the organizing function, the leading function, and the controlling function - a manager can steer an organization toward achievement.

Through continuous learning and development, managers can adapt to evolving business dynamics and inspire their teams to reach new heights. Embracing the core responsibilities of the modern manager is key to thriving in today's fast-paced and competitive business world.

Have You Considered a Management Degree from American Public University?

Mastering the four functions of management is essential for navigating the complexities of modern business and thriving in a managerial role.

For students looking to enhance their management skills and understand the four functions of management, American Public University offers a variety of online management degrees such as an online MBA and an online bachelor of arts in management degree. These programs are designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals and taught by industry experts.

By enrolling in American Public University's management degree courses, students will have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools necessary to pursue leadership roles and make a significant impact on their organizations. Take the next step in your exploration by learning about our programs and joining a community of ambitious professionals committed to their growth and development.

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The Four Functions of Management: How They Impact Business | American Public University

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This article discusses the four functions of management and how they impact business.

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Reading and partaking in this module helped me see the importance of company culture, diversity in an organization, social responsibility, and the ethics that go into a business or organization. It was intriguing to delve deeper into each of the concepts of module 2, promoting the importance of each concept and the diversity (pun intended) within all of the concepts.

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I chose this image because during this module we had to make a case study on three different companies and talk about ethics, diversity, and corporate diversity. Looking at the image reminds me of the work that was done for the case study and reminds me that some companies actively try to make the world a better place.

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This video helps with the idea of ethical decision making and the positives and negatives of ethics. To me the video gives more personal information about ethics of personal decisions.

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What I enjoyed about Module 3 is the focus on the concept of globalization and braving into brand new markets and making a name for an organization that would be known around the world. The content within Module 3 actually inspired me to think about resources and relationships, this in turn inspired me to start to play the game Jurassic Park Evolution 2 that uses some of the concepts in the material.

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I chose this game because of how I was drawn to it by the content of Module 3. This game is a park simulator game that uses the resources and time to create a great park. In a specific mode one has to globalize the Jurassic Park/World franchise and manage trust and demographics to succeed in obtaining the overarching goal of having five stars rating for the company by having a five star rating on each park around the world. This is a very fun game and is very therapeutic on normal difficulties (Jurassic is very, very challenging).

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This article highlights the good and the bad of what globalization can and could be. I myself know most things have positives and negatives so reading and understanding the bad more can help in circumvent it from happening and being more successful.

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Globalization has led to increases in standards of living around the world, but not all of its effects are positive for everyone.

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Module 4's content was intriguing to me because of the ideas of planning and the decision making. I myself like the idea of being prepared and planning for the independent variables that could arise. One thing I loved about this module was the Assignment for strategizing for Sun City Boards. This assignment fed into my enjoyment of strategizing, and using the knowledge gained in Module 4 felt very unique and encouraged me to read more on the content.

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This game is in the category of a RTS (Real Time Strategy). In Halo Wars 2 one has to manage and plan/strategize to come out on top during the match against real people. Actively adapting and thinking on how to win by composing an army that either covers all bases or by countering an army comp. This game is also fast paced with resources and to me this mirrors the environment of real life business ventures.

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I chose this image because it resonates more with the decision making aspect of Module 4. This image is about decision making that even though one did/did not make a decision it still can have great impacts on the outcome in question.

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This module focuses on structure, which to me helps feed into the previous module. I found the module interesting because it had helped inform me with the concepts of different structures that an organization can have, changing what I initially thought about structures of organization and the importance of the different styles..

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This image is that of what I call traditional (Simple) structure. But within this image the store manager is the highest role for this store. This shows whether it is a big corporation/organization or a small store that this type of structure is still popular are safe.

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This video does a very simple and quick job of explaining structure and process. It does also talks although very little of the cycle of Interactions and changes in structures of organizations.

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Module 6 did help me greatly with vocalization and communication. How the module explains the mediums is rather helpful and influenced my style of communication more. With the other reading material it did help me understand Human Resources. The reading material did educate me that Human Resources actually handled the well being of the employee of an organization, where initially I thought HR was more of like a rule enforcer role.

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I chose this image to show the diversity of communication, and to incur thought about if we use the right form of communication. As the module showed that there is almost a gradient on the best and worst form of communication in module 6.

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I chose this article for it is more of a hub of information on HR itself. Within this hub holds 18 articles that help explain and aid in different scenarios that a HR representative may need. It is quite interesting to read the techniques that HR needs to have.

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18 Must-Read HR Articles for Disruptive Leaders - Visier | Visier

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Here are 18 of the most-shared HR articles of 2017. Their common theme? HR that doesn’t just execute, but leads and drives meaningful change.

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Module 7 is a great module. Focusing more on motivation and leadership gives me the motivation to think more and act more. Explaining the types of leadership and the approaches, and the ways to incur motivation and the importance to light a fire in one's soul to move forward.

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I chose this image of Captain America for one reason: Leadership. In the comics, shows, movies, and other forms of media Captain America has been a great leader and a fighter for change. In the comics he has stood against the persecution of mutants, the leader against the dire, and counsels people to be the best version of themselves they could be. Being a beacon of hope, change, and leadership.

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I chose this Comic voice clip of Spider-Man for a reason. Spider-man has always done what is right no matter how exhausting, taxing, tiresome, painful. He is motivated by the change he can create, the feeling of saving many so they may live fuller meaning full life so they may change the future. Always being motivated by doing the right thing.

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Module 8 feels like it feeds into some of the other modules. Managing productivity and control in this module is similar to Module 1. Module 8 helped more or less with reinforcing the ideas to me. Module 8 in spirit is similar to the video games that I used as relics in the previous modules. One thing that was interesting to me in this module was the sub menus of Total Quality Management.

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The company of Capcom personifies the quality control of module 8. Capcom is a video game company that has released many of the greatest video games of all time. They have released games like Devil May Cry, Street Fighter, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, Mega Man, and Ace attorney. This company has had a track record of releasing quality games because of their quality control, with one offs of bad games.

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This article talks about quality control within the healthcare system. This mostly gives some small amounts of new information, but it is rather intriguing to learn about how quality control is about in a sector that is not in business but still uses some of the quality control of the module.

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Quality Control: The Misunderstood Essential for Improvement

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Why It MattersWhen effectively used, quality control methods can help internally monitor performance, assess progress, and help systems to direct improvement resources to where they are needed most. Photo by Markus Winkler | UnsplashIn today’s health care environment, quality improvement (QI) alone is insufficient to manage the multitude of priorities and demands placed on our systems. Truly exceptional health care organizations go beyond QI and embed quality control (QC) methods and tools into daily work.Many industries successfully use QC methods, but in health care, QC is often unfortunately misunderstood as synonymous with quality assurance (QA). While they do serve similar purposes in comparing performance to a goal, QC is an internally driven, real-time activity, and QA is external and often occurs with a considerable time lag. QC methods sustain improvements for the long-run and promote stable systems to produce reliable outcomes. When effectively used, QC methods internally monitor performance, assess progress towards goals, and allow systems to direct improvement resources to where they are needed most.The Whole System Quality approach integrates quality planning, quality control, and quality improvement activities for key health care system stakeholder groups. High-performing health care organizations pursue Whole System Quality by embedding QI methods and tools in daily work at all levels of the system. Multidisciplinary leaders are engaged in setting organizational quality goals based on the needs of their patients, families, and staff. Experienced managers align department and unit level goals to system-wide priorities. Point-of-care staff have the capability and capacity to identify opportunities for improvement, act on them, and call on expert support when they need it. To quote from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Whole System Quality white paper, “These activities inform an organization-wide, interlinked, and customer-centric strategic approach to quality and promote learning across the organization toward the pursuit of whole system quality.”Over the past few years, while teaching about the Whole System Quality approach, I have coached organizations to embed quality control methods into their workflows and want to share some of these ideas with you. Standard work outlines the key steps, roles of relevant staff, and rationale for why each step is important. A pediatric hospital in the United States was experiencing flow delays transferring patients from the emergency department to general patient care units. Making the decision to admit a patient was the physician’s responsibility, but there was a lot of variation in the acuity of admitted patients based on which doctor was making the decision. They mapped and tested a standard process for admission from the ED to general patient care areas. This included medically ready for transition criteria and roles and responsibilities for team members in the ED and in the general units. Managers responsible for flow reduced the amount of time from ED presentation to patient admission and reduced the amount of time they spent managing the process itself.Visual management boards offer a simple means to ensure good team communication, establish and maintain discipline around measurement, and ensure tracking of problems that require resolution. As the IHI visual management board guide indicates, they offer “at-a-glance information about current process performance, both quantitative and qualitative data, to help clinical unit staff coordinate and guide their daily work and monitor ongoing improvement projects.“Huddles help teams actively manage quality and safety, including creating an opportunity to review important standard work such as checklists. They give teams an opportunity to evaluate performance and to proactively flag concerns. An escalating huddle system empowers caregivers to tackle issues they identify on their own or escalate them for assistance. When used in coordination with visual management boards, they are a powerful organizational tool for safety and reliability. At a statewide hospital system in the United States leaders felt ineffective because they would not hear about quality issues until well after they happened. They struggled to monitor performance and improvement activities in service lines across the system. They created standard visual management boards in each unit (and electronically) that included key measures, safety concerns, celebrations, and ongoing improvement work. Each morning a unit-based team would huddle around the board for 10 minutes. They discussed measures, events of the previous shift, risks for the upcoming shift, celebrations, and anything appropriate for escalation. After the unit-based team huddle, the management team huddled to discuss and disseminate any quality and safety concerns or celebrations. And, finally, a leadership huddle convened the executive team to keep them informed and enable swift action to address what needed their attention. When the huddle process began again the next day, the unit-based teams closed communication loops on actionable items from the previous day’s huddle. Each of these QC practices engaged front-line staff, managers, and senior leaders by focusing on standards for communication and responsibilities. When we set and follow these standards it creates more space and time in our days to focus on what really matters to our patients, our organizations, and to us.Jesse McCall, MBA, is a Senior Director and Improvement Advisor at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.You may also be interested in:The IHI Whole System Quality white paperWhole System Quality: A Holistic Approach to Quality ManagementBefore and After Whole System Quality