Becoming a manager
Issue 5 / April 2002
This edition of JAM focuses on some of the skills and knowledge required to be an effective manager. ‘Management’ is such a huge subject that one could not hope to cover all aspects in a 24-page publication. So, let’s start out by clarifying what we mean by ‘management’ and ‘becoming a manager’.
Good management is a tool to ensure people give the best to and get the best from any organisation, and to ensure the organisation is able to do what it wants and needs to do, without wasting precious time, energy and money or other resources (Sandy Adirondack, Just About Managing?, 1998).
Managers’ jobs differ by function – the work of a marketing director is different to that of a finance director. However, managers’ jobs also differ by level. Chief executives have a particular responsibility for leadership, and the management of the relationship between board and staff. Divisional directors manage their own departments, and contribute to the overall management of the whole organisation through the senior management team.
Managers are responsible for managing people to provide direct services (internal or external). They have to develop and implement strategies that achieve agreed objectives within an agreed budget. In smaller organisations they report to the chief executive, and in larger organisations they report to divisional directors. For example, here at the AMA we have no ‘divisional managers’ (there are only five of us!).
So this edition of JAM is focusing on managers who manage. Sandy Adirondack summarises key management concepts, styles and qualities on page 6. Mike Hudson (page 9) explains how to manage your boss. Anne Torreggianni describes the change management process involved a LIFT (page 12) and Catherine Warnock (page 14) considers how Investors in People has enhanced staff development at Diversions Dance. Anne Roberts provides insight into new management approaches (page 18) and a range of people who manage share their pearls (page 17).
Issue editor: Pam Henderson
Any thoughts, comments or suggestions for JAM? Please email the Editor, Jacqueline Haxton at jacqueline@a-m-a.co.uk.