Managing can be defined as looking over and ensuring that people are stay with what they are supposed to be doing. Managers ensure order, greater productivity and a continuous improvement in organizations (Youker, 1977, p. 564). In a more broad perspective, managers design and maintain environments in which other people in their team can work together and efficiently accomplish the different goals of an organization. The process involves organizing, planning, leading, staffing and even controlling the rest of the team.
Managers and management are important in any type of organizations. The art of management is applicable to all sizes of organizations and at all levels of any organization. The aim of managers is also the same in all organizations and that is to create a surplus in quantity and in value. This they do by creating and foreseeing systems which give an organization efficiency and effectiveness. By ensuring complex decision-making process happen successfully, they set a foundation for easy co-ordination, control and strategic planning. A successful manager therefore requires effectiveness and competence in organizational leadership, human resource management and problem solving. Since most of their responsibilities revolve around administration, they also need to be effective and experienced administrators.
Organizations need managers for various reasons. It is argued that successful and profitable businesses are not about strategies but are instead all about skills and character of individual managers (Cable, 2010). Their most important responsibility is to represent the subordinates. Managers act as intermediaries between top management and different work groups. They serve as the link which integrates the entire organization. The effectiveness of any organization is very dependent on the strength of these links. Managers carry the voice and concerns of the subordinates, an important feedback for strengthened organizations.
Managers act as appropriate counsellors. People acting in organizations may from time to time experience emotional disequilibrium which may be a hindrance to expected performance (The Times 100, 2010). Managers help relieve such situations by offering wise counsel or helping employees access appropriate help. Managers help organizations manage time and achieve goals and objectives is specified periods. This they do by putting in place structures which allow systematic systems such as schedules and time charts. They are in a position to influence how their teams utilize time productively in their different assignments.
Problem identification and problem solving is an important responsibility for managers in any organizations. In today’s constantly changing business environments, organizations are struggling to achieve their goals as a result of new challenges coming up everyday. A manager’s responsibility is to identify the problems, identify possible remedies and implement them appropriately with the help of the rest of their team. This is in line with their other responsibilities such as striving for effectiveness in their organizations and projects development.
Considering the importance of above mentioned roles, organizations may have few or no alternatives in management structures. Replacing managers may not be an easy task as it would involve breaking important links which ensure continuity and connectivity between different levels in organizations. However, organizations can change the trend by changing their hierarchical structures. This include adopting a different matrix for their organizational structures by creating different positions in the place of managers (Soya, 2006). Team leaders can serve in places of managers by giving directions and guidance on different tasks and projects at different levels. Coordinators then serve as the link between senior management and employees of an organization by carrying the voice and concerns of junior employees. However, it is clear that without managers, it will be hard for organizational targets and goals to be met, maintain a healthy welfare of staff and protect the resources of an organization including the people.
Reference list
Cable, D., 2010. The importance of effective management. Web.
Soya, R., 2006. The role of managers. Web.
The Times 100, 2010. Organization and management structures. Web.
Youker, R., 1977. Organizational alternatives for project managers. Project Management Quarterly, [Online]. 8(1), pp 564-80.