Management is a systematic professional activity that creates order in the operations of an entity. To have effective and efficient operations, you require resources (both human and material), infrastructure, assets, information, and systems. All these require proper organization and utilization to successfully achieve your plan. What is considered the essence of a Manager?
The professional responsible for the systematic operations of an entity is known as a manager. They are responsible for planning, decision-making, organizing, leading, motivating, and controlling activities. As a result, they should possess relevant skills, knowledge, and attributes to undertake these activities. Let’s review this management role and establish its significance in operations.
Qualities of a Manager
Integrity
A manager should practice honesty in all activities and interactions, whether at a personal or professional level. He should follow and promote the highest level of ethical and professional standards in their environment. This will build trust with other people, and he will get unwavering support in the community or organization. He should avoid situations that compromise his character and public image. Finally, he should ensure consistency in behavior, decisions, and actions.
Transparent
A manager should practice open communication. This implies that decisions and actions should be conveyed in a timely and clear manner. He should ensure that all relevant parties know and understand the reasons behind his decisions and actions. This also involves encouraging the participation and contribution from relevant stakeholders to develop a sense of ownership among them. A manager should not only explain their perspective but also remain available for clarifications and guidance.
Accountable
Managers should take responsibility for their decisions and actions. Once a manager selects a certain course of action, he should remain committed to it until completion. He should remain consistent in the methods and approaches related to this course of action. He should remain obligated to the activities and parties surrounding the decision. Finally, he should take ownership of the process as it prospers and even in adversity.
Decisive
A manager should be able to make appropriate decisions in the shortest time possible when faced with alternatives. He should be able to distinguish between the most important and urgent in a list of decisions. His decisions should eliminate any controversies or ambiguity concerning issues. They bring finality and an end to discussions or debates. These decisions form part of the action plan to be developed and implemented. A manager’s decision is consistent and unrelenting.
Organized
A manager should create order in their environment for the smooth flow of operations. He should develop and implement policies and procedures that enhance activities around them. He should develop and implement structures and systems that achieve results and boost performance. He should develop and implement rules and regulations that preserve order and harmonious interactions. He should have checks and balances to guarantee adherence to the prescribed methodologies and ideologies.
Competent
A manager should possess relevant skills and knowledge to carry out his duties. He should perform his duties more efficiently and effectively when he has relevant abilities and qualifications. With his mastery of the skills, work is completed in the shortest time possible and expected results. This also improves the manager’s problem-solving skills, and he can resolve challenges faster than others. This reduces work-related risks and the impact they can have on operations and people.
Focused
A manager should direct his attention to the activities and people around him. He should know every detail related to systems and processes. He should predict the outcomes of decisions and actions to a certain extent by gathering adequate information concerning the issues. He should avoid being easily distracted and diverted from his plans. He should also analyze the cost and benefit of remaining and getting out of his initial plan.
Confidential
A manager should maintain secrecy where and when it matters. He should not divulge critical and sensitive information to third parties unless they are authorized to do so. To minimize breach cases, he should develop and implement policies and procedures to govern activities and people. This will help him remain professional in all activities and interactions. He should also introduce checks and balances for handling and storing sensitive information.
Confidence
A manager should exude power and authority while performing his duties. This builds trust with other parties he may be interacting with. It portrays him as competent and resilient in his environment. He will command influence in his environment due to this positive image and outlook that he possesses. This will help in securing opportunities for self-actualization and the implementation of plans.
Reliable
A manager should be perceived as dependable. Someone people can count on during difficulties. He should be easily accessible for consultations. He should be known for his ability to deliver with or without adversity. He should keep his word once he assures people of a certain outcome. He should also take responsibility when faced with setbacks or failures.
Functions of a Manager
Planning
This refers to forecasting and predicting future requirements for the entity. This involves establishing the current needs and future demands. It is taking stock or inventory of where the entity is right now and where it needs to be in the future. This requires identifying activities and allocating resources to undertake them. The planning steps include identifying needs, establishing goals, creating strategies, selecting the best option, implementing the plan, and following up.
Decision Making
This refers to developing options related to a certain issue and selecting the best option out of them to resolve the issue. It involves stating the problem, identifying various alternatives, reviewing the pros and cons of all the alternatives, selecting the best alternative, executing the alternative, and making periodic evaluations. To make the right decision, he must have all the relevant facts at his disposal. This will prevent making errors that can create additional problems or complicate the issues. On many occasions, decision-making will prove difficult since information is lacking, giving the managerless options to select from. This creates a serious risk in the operations of the entity.
Organizing
This refers to creating a structure or system to perform operations more efficiently and effectively. It involves the grouping of duties and activities into relevant categories for achieving your plans. These categories create a hierarchy of responsibilities to facilitate the flow of power and authority. The steps required in organizing include:
- Identifying the work.
- Grouping work.
- Establishing a hierarchy.
- Authority delegation.
- Coordination of the various components that have been created.
There should be clear communication to the officeholders concerning their created roles and responsibilities. They also need to know and understand their significance in the entire structure.
Leading
This refers to taking the initiative and guiding others towards a given goal or destination. It is having influence over others and using it to activate their performance. The aim is to achieve a certain set of objectives or to implement a course of action. A leader must align people to goals and objectives. He must create awareness and ensure they have a proper understanding of the plans. Third, he must assign the functions about the desired plans and outcomes. Finally, he must empower them with the information and resources required to attain the agreed-upon goals.
Motivating
This refers to maintaining the morale of others. It is giving them a better perspective of the future and reducing the level of apathy. It involves raising the self-esteem of the people to improve their performance and productivity. It is creating the desire within people to achieve a certain set of goals and objectives. It energizes teams with positive affirmation so that they are more integrated and focused on the plans.
Controlling
This refers to creating and implementing checks and balances to ensure that all processes and activities are followed. It involves setting standards and ensuring that everyone adheres to them to reduce conflicts and mistakes. It enhances integration and harmonious interaction between people. It enhances compliance management within organizations, thereby reducing business and operational risks. This protects the entity from litigation cases and insurance claims. It enhances law and order in the organization.
Conclusion
Management is a complex process in the community or organization. It requires adequate skills, knowledge, and experience. As a result, only qualified people can undertake this role successfully. When discussing “the essence of a manager,” we aim to look at the most vital qualities or characteristics the officeholder should possess. These essential qualities include integrity, transparency, accountability, decisiveness, organization, competency, focus, confidentiality, confidence, and reliability. Managers are critical in an entity’s operations since they are responsible for various functions such as planning, decision making, organizing, leading, motivating, and controlling operations. These roles and responsibilities assist the organization in achieving its goals, objectives, and plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the term “essence” mean?
It is defined as the essential, vital aspects of something or someone.
- What are the FIVE qualities of a manager?
They are integrity, transparency, accountability, decisiveness, and organization.
- What are the functions of a manager?
They include planning, decision-making, organizing, leading, motivating, and controlling operations.
