If you want to be a good manager, it is normal that you seek to understand exactly what management is. Yet the verb manager does not refer to an activity reserved for managers alone. We are all busy managing others.
Even if you are located at the bottom of a hierarchy, you must somehow manage your colleagues, your peers. You can go so far as to say that in your relations with your superiors, you must also manage them. If you are a parent, you manage your children or at least you try to do it. In order to achieve what you want to do in life, you must learn to manage yourself.
There are already two conclusions. First, management is usually present with different degree in human relationships. Second, management is not simply a matter of authority and subordination
The essential components of management
Management is not only a "theory" although one can theorize about it. However, management is most importantly an activity. This activity consists of five main axes:
- Defining achievable objectives
- Motivate people, so that they realize these goals
- Organize and coordinate their activities effectively to achieve these objectives, monitoring results.
- Prudently manage all other resources necessary to achieve these objectives.
- React and adapt to unforeseen events and significant changes in the environment
If you are looking to carry out this series of actions by launching a start-up, you are in the process of managing.
The qualities required to be a good manager
Now we know the five important axes of management. We should also know what capacities the manager should master.
Here are the six basic human qualities that apply in all situations:
- Vision of the real: he has a good idea of how things happen and will happen
- Authority: when he asks people to do something, they do it
- Charisma: it inspires people with enthusiasm and gives them the desire to act
- Empathy: he has enough emotional intelligence to understand others and almost read in their thoughts and feelings.
- Clarity: it expresses clearly and persuasively its ideas, by communicating
- Integrity: he sets an example and assumes his responsibilities even when things go wrong