PSM #02: Management Defined
Podcast #2Podcast republished since it was missing in iTunes.
Since this weblog will deal with management and leadership it seems that a workable definition of management would be valuable.
- Management is accomplishing work through others. But work without tangible result benefits few, if anyone.
- Management is accomplishing tasks through others. But tasks which are disorganized or disjointed provide little value to the organization and its members.
- Management is accomplishing goals through others. This seems to be the more valuable objective of management, to achieve goals set by the company, the group, or ourselves. Goals imply the production of some tangible product or service or the attainment of some valuable state.
A key element in these definitions is that others are involved. Therein lies the challenge in management, accomplishing goals while relying on others to do so. Consequently it seems that this is the bigger component in a manager’s role. Classical definitions hold that the components of management are planning, organization, direction, and control. But these components rely on others.
The core components of management are the goals and the people who will achieve them.
Craig @ October 20, 2005