Functions of Managers
Managers just don’t go out and haphazardly perform their responsibilities. Good managers discover how to master five basic functions: planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling.
- Planning: This step involves mapping out exactly how to achieve a particular goal. Say, for example, that the organization’s goal is to improve company sales. The manager first needs to decide which steps are necessary to accomplish that goal. These steps may include increasing advertising, inventory, and sales staff. These necessary steps are developed into a plan. When the plan is in place, the manager can follow it to accomplish the goal of improving company sales.
- Organizing: After a plan is in place, a manager needs to organize his/her team and materials according to his/her plan. Assigning work and granting authority are two important elements of organizing.
- Staffing: After a manager discerns his/her area’s needs, he/she may decide to beef up his/her staffing by recruiting, selecting, training, and developing employees. A manager in a large organization often works with the company’s human resources department to accomplish this goal.
- Leading: A manager needs to do more than just plan, organize, and staff his/her team to achieve a goal. He/She must also lead. Leading involves motivating, communicating, guiding, and encouraging. It requires the manager to coach, assist, and problem solve with employees.
- Controlling: After the other elements are in place, a manager’s job is not finished. He/She needs to continuously check results against goals and take any corrective actions necessary to make sure that his/her area’s plans remain on track.
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.