InformationFour Functions of Management and Leadership Styles

by Tamu Browne, studioD

A successful manager is an effective leader

Management is not an unstructured exercise based on intuition. Effective managers undertake specific functions, which when carried out increase a firm's profitability. Managers must have the ability to influence employees toward goal achievement, so the leadership style a manager adopts can affect his success. Successful managers are most often persuasive leaders.

Planning

Planning entails the setting of goals and includes the creation of a blueprint to achieve them. It is essential that managers create objectives, which serve to focus the efforts of employees, motivate them and provide a standard against which performance can be measured. Plans also serve as a guide to action and assist managers in resource allocation. For example, if growth is an objective, a budget may include funds for expansion of facilities.

Organizing

Another important managerial function is organizing, which can be defined as the allocation of resources to achieve goals. It is clear that this function relates to the planning function, as goals must be set before organizational resources can be deployed to assist in the achievement of them. An important component of organizing is the defining of the chain of command and the utilization of human resources.

Leading

Without the ability to influence subordinates toward goal achievement, a manger cannot be effective. No matter how well-crafted the objectives or how well-organized the resources, nothing can be achieved if employees are unwilling or unable to work toward the objectives. Managers who lack the ability to influence subordinates are often ineffective and find it difficult to motivate their workers to increase productivity.

Controlling

Control can be defined as a methodical process through which managers monitor employees and their activities to ensure that they are in alignment with the company's objectives. Control is an extremely important management function, as without it organizational activities would go unchecked, leading to inefficiencies and unfulfilled targets. The control exercise allows managers to take corrective action and contains an element of feedback so that there can be continuous improvement.

Leadership Styles

Leadership is critical to a company's profitability. The methods and manner that a manager uses to spur workers toward the achievement of the company's objectives is termed leadership style. There are four main leadership styles: autocratic, democratic, paternalistic and laissez faire. A manager may have a prevailing style or may change his style depending on the situation. This is known as situational leadership.

Source: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/four-functions-management-leadership-styles-64958.html

Question

You notice that your manager has a new chart on his office wall that shows the floor space of a new building where your company will be moving soon. You watch as your manager changes where different departments might sit. Which management function is your manager using? What makes you say that?