Module 1.2 – What Managers Do?

What do managers do? The job of a manager can be divided into five basic tasks.

1) Sets objectives. The manager sets goals for the group, and decides what work needs to be done to meet those goals.

2) Organizes. The manager divides the work into manageable activities, and selects people to accomplish the tasks that need to be done.

3) Motivates and communicates. The manager creates a team out of his people, through decisions on pay, placement, promotion, and through his communications with the team. Also referred to as the “integrating” function of the manager.

4) Measures. The manager establishes appropriate targets and yardsticks, and analyzes, appraises and interprets performance.

5) Develops people. With the rise of the knowledge worker, this task has taken on added importance. In a knowledge economy, people are the company’s most important asset, and it is up to the manager to develop that asset. It is common place that teams under a managers guidance have a vast amount of experience in the security industry, most stemming from a military background. This should be taken into account in the development of team members.

While other management experts may use different words and focus on different aspects of these responsibilities this is a very good generic outlay of what a manager does.

*Tips*

Set objectives.

Organize.

Motivate and communicate.

Measure.

Develop people.