Management

Management can be a challenging role. A new manager can learn many skills from both chapters and the article “Leading Change – Adapting and Innovating in an Uncertain World.” Chapter one explains the different management functions and skills. Planning, organizing, leading and controlling all serve an important part in achieving management’s vision. Each component is important and one cannot function well without the others. The first component of managing is planning. A manager must determine what the organizations goals are and how to achieve those goals. Managers are responsible for organization of the company which means assigning tasks, grouping tasks into departments or allocating resources across the organization. Managing and leading seem to be portrayed as the same thing but they are not. Employees typically follow managers because he or she is the supervisor and in-charge of employees but leading them is the use of influence to motivate employees to achieve organizational goals. The controlling function involves monitoring the firm’s performance to make sure goals are being met. The article gives input on envisioning and implementing change. This can also help a new manager with making accurate decisions while managing. Chapter two explains the systems thinking. This component will help a new manager in the area of seeing both the distinct elements and situations.

As for a seasoned manager who already may know the ropes or may be trained in those areas, the chapters and article can help improve your skills. In today's fast-paced business environment, leaders need to have a broad vision and a vast knowledge of the trends and developments shaping their organization. In chapter two a seasoned manager would learn that leaders should use programs, management systems, and structural features to determine what types of changes are desirable and to facilitate innovation and collective learning. They may want to implement change in different areas of the...