Articles Business What Is Management? Definition, Types, Skills, and Careers Wh

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What Is Management? Definition, Types, Skills, and Careers
What Is Management? Definition, Types, Skills, and Careers
Written by Coursera • Updated on Jun 16, 2023
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Do you have what it takes to work in management? Find out what managers do within organizations and discover different management styles, job titles, and more.
Management is how businesses organize and direct workflow, operations, and employees to meet company goals. The primary goal of management is to create an environment that lets employees work efficiently and productively. A solid organizational structure serves as a guide for workers and establishes the tone and focus of their work.
Managers are involved in implementing and evaluating these structures. As a manager, you may be responsible for doing any of the following tasks:
Create goals and objectives
Create schedules
Develop strategies to increase performance, productivity, and efficiency
Ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations
Mentor employees
Monitor budgets, productivity levels, and performance
Resolve customer problems
Train staff
In this article, you’ll learn more about management, its different styles, what managers do, and the jobs you can expect to encounter in the field.
Key functions of a manager
Managers have several functions within an organization. You’ll usually see these functions divided into four interconnected groups. Understanding them can help you identify your strengths and areas of need to choose the proper training to improve your skills.
Planning
The first function of a manager is to set goals. These goals may be for individual employees, departments, or the entire organization, depending on the manager’s level of responsibility. In addition to setting goals, managers often develop action items along with strategies and resources to complete tasks and meet goals.
Organizing
Meeting organizational goals requires putting the right people in the right places. Managers can play an important role in choosing workers for positions and projects. Knowing how to group people and help them build relationships often significantly affects how well the group works together. Sometimes managers need to train employees for specific tasks to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
Motivating
Managers help motivate employees to show up and stay productive. This includes sharing a common vision, encouraging them to develop their strengths, and inspiring them to do their best work at all times. Having effective communication skills is essential for filling this role.
Evaluating
Managers typically spend time measuring the success of their teams and how well they meet goals. The more they understand what works and doesn’t work, the better prepared they are to make decisions in the future. Managers must understand and adjust strategies to meet company goals.