All managers at all levels of every organization perform these functions, but the amount of time a manager spends on each one depends on both the level of management and the specific organization. Show Roles performed by managers A manager wears many hats. Not only is a manager a team leader, but he or she is also a planner, organizer, cheerleader, coach, problem solver, and decision maker — all rolled into one. And these are just a few of a manager's roles. In addition, managers' schedules are usually jam‐packed. Whether they're busy with employee meetings, unexpected problems, or strategy sessions, managers often find little spare time on their calendars. (And that doesn't even include responding to e‐mail!) In his classic book, The Nature of Managerial Work, Henry Mintzberg describes a set of ten roles that a manager fills. These roles fall into three categories:
Table 1 contains a more in‐depth look at each category of roles that help managers carry out all five functions described in the preceding “Functions of Managers” section.
Not everyone can be a manager. Certain skills, or abilities to translate knowledge into action that results in desired performance, are required to help other employees become more productive. These skills fall under the following categories:
Although all three categories contain skills essential for managers, their relative importance tends to vary by level of managerial responsibility. Business and management educators are increasingly interested in helping people acquire technical, human, and conceptual skills, and develop specific competencies, or specialized skills, that contribute to high performance in a management job. Following are some of the skills and personal characteristics that the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is urging business schools to help their students develop.
What is the primary purpose of a manager?They facilitate efficient operations in their company area to achieve company goals and objectives, which vary from day-to-day operations to long-term goals and milestones. According to Julie Zhuo, author of The Making of a Manager, a manager's job is “to get better outcomes from a group of people working together.”
Which three functions are included in the staffing function of management?Human resource management (HRM), or staffing, is the management function devoted to acquiring, training, appraising, and compensating employees.
What is the major purpose of feedback in the communication process?Feedback is important in communication because it enables the sender to evaluate the effectiveness of its message. Without feedback, the communication process would be incomplete.
What is the primary reason that organizations form teams?The benefits of team building include increased communication, planning skills, employee motivation, and employee collaboration.
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