Manager:

A Manager is the person responsible for planning and directing the work of a group of individuals, monitoring their work, and taking corrective action when necessary. For many people, this is their first step into a management career. Managers may direct workers directly or they may direct several supervisors who direct the workers. The manager must be familiar with the work of all the groups he/she supervises, but does not need to be the best in any or all of the areas. It is more important for the manager to know how to manage the workers than to know how to do their work well.

Role of a Manager:
Managers are building blocks of the organization. A manager performs five basic functions Planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. At all the levels of management we have managers working there and performing one or more of these managerial functions. A manager's main role is to achieve effective utilization of resources in an organization. He achieves so through coordinated human efforts. A manager has a very important role to play in achieving organizational objectives. He is responsible for aligning the individual's objectives with the organizational objectives. This is very essential for achieving long-term organizational success. A Manager is the one who communicates organizational vision to the employees of the organization. He should ensure that there is effective communication flow in an organization and that there should no misinterpretations taking place. A manager has crucial role to play in decision making process in an organization. He has to decide how to bring and communicate organizational changes. He plays a major role in setting organizational goals. He has to be in close contact with the employees of the organization. He should understand them and motivate them. He should encourage them so that they can perform effectively. He should praise them when they show brilliant performance and on bad performance, he should give them constructive feedback rather than negative feedback. He should provide them online support and coaching.

A manager should resolve conflicts among the employees and try to reach at an acceptable solution. This would improve employees work quality as well as performance. Thus, a manager's role is very important so as to improve employees productivity as well as organization's productivity. He should understand that organizational success depends on employees. Thus the more satisfied and happy the employees are the more success the organization will show. A manager must be committed to his work so as to set an example for his subordinates.

How to be a Good Manager:

The need for good managers is not going away. It is intensifying. With flatter organizations and self-directed teams becoming common, with personal computers and networks making information available to more people more quickly, the raw number of managers needed is decreasing. However, the need for good managers, people who can manage themselves and others in a high stress environment, is increasing. I believe anyone can be a good manager. It is as much trainable skill as it is inherent ability, as much science as art. Here are some things that make you a better manager:

As a person:

You have confidence in yourself and your abilities. You are happy with whom you are, but you are still learning and getting better. You are something of an extrovert. You dont have to be the life of the party, but you cant be a wallflower. Management is a people skill - its not the job for someone who doesnt enjoy people.

You are honest and straight forward. Your success depends heavily on the trust of others. You are an includer not an excluder. You bring others into what you do. You dont exclude other because they lack certain attributes. You have a presence. Managers must lead. Effective leaders have a quality about them that makes people notice when they enter a room.

On the job:

You are consistent, but not rigid; dependable, but can change your mind. You make decisions, but easily accept input from others.

You are a little bit crazy. You think out-of-the box. You try new things and if they fail, you admit the mistake, but dont apologize for having tried. You are not afraid to do the math. You make plans and schedules and work toward them.

You are nimble and can change plans quickly, but you are not flighty. You see information as a tool to be used, not as power to be hoarded.

What Is Being A Manager Really Like?

When most people think about management they envision high salaries and power. That is not always the case. There are many people that have started out low on the totem pole, and worked their way to the top to be successful. You may hear about managers and their large salaries, but what you do not hear about are the everyday struggles of the average manager. There is constantly work that has to be done that the manager must do as well as deal with unexpected events that pop up. Many managers travel and have to schedule long meetings into their work hours. It is not uncommon for a manager to make many personal sacrifices in order to be able to handle all of the responsibility of their position. This often involves a balancing act of activities outside of work and family life. Managers and people in positions of authority frequently have to deal with difficult situations. When problems occur, managers are the ones that are notified and they need to be able to provide guidance to others involved in the situation. Managers are responsible for such things as firing workers, hiring workers, and dealing with employee personal problems. Authority may be a luxury in some instances, but it brings along with it other tasks that are unpleasant for anyone to do. Managers must also have excellent communication and people skills. The whole day involves dealing with others and communicating through various forms of media. In one day they must come into contact with all types of people. It is important for them to make use of contacts that are developed outside of the business, as well as enforce ongoing relationships through adequate use of communication.

The work of manager consists of many different tasks. This can either be good or bad depending on if an individual is adaptable. Managers are expected to know a little bit about everything that is going on in the business. Additionally, managers must be able to handle the many tasks that are thrown at them. Managers have to be a mix of many talents all rolled into one.

Managers Loose The Right To:

1. Lose their temper 2. Be one of the gang 3. Bring personal problems to work 4. Vent frustrations and express every opinion 5. Resist change 6. Pass tough assignments onto others 7. Get even 8. Play favourites 9. Put self-interests first

Advantages and Disadvantages of being a Manager:

Many employees work hard and attempt to become high achievers for the sole purpose of eventually moving into management. Moving into management has advantages but also some potential drawbacks.

Pay and Prestige

First-time managers typically enjoy a nice bump in salary and the prestige that comes from being part of the management team. They gain respect in the eyes of some of their coworkers and achieve a sense of satisfaction. They may also receive perks with their promotion, such as use of a company car and an expense account.

Ability to Make Changes

New managers may be able to implement changes to work processes and procedures that they were previously powerless to make. They can also have more input into the direction of the company and be able to come up with ideas that improve production and profitability.

More Responsibility
Many new managers enjoy the challenges that come with additional responsibility. They like being able to lead and motivate employees and to be held accountable for the results of an entire work area or department. Managers may relish the idea of shaping a department to meet their vision and of bringing in like-minded new employees to help them get the job done.

No Longer "One of the Boys"

New managers that enjoyed the camaraderie of working with a group of people may experience loneliness in their new position. They can find themselves in the position of having to discipline friends or not offering them a promotion. Their friends may keep their distance and strained relationships may develop as a result.

Accountability
While many new managers view the increased responsibility as an advantage, it can also have its drawbacks. Managers are held accountable for the actions and production of their workers, and can no longer utter the phrase, "It's not my fault." As a result, they can come under fire for something that they may not have been directly involved in.

Bibliography www.management.about.com www.jpec.org www.wikipedia.com www.ehow.com www.blurtit.com

The work of a manager consists of many different tasks.