Abhishek Rajput

There are lot of similarities and as well lot of differences may found in manager's role depending upon the process or business. Here we will be trying to understand some of the basic roles or responsibilities of a manager irrespective of their line of business. However there are so many functions of a manager but here I will try to designate some of the very important functions.

1. Planning - If people working in groups have to perform effectively, they should know in advance what is to be done, what activities they have to perform in order to do what is to be done, and when it is to be done. Planning is concerned with 'what', 'how, and 'when' of performance. It is deciding in the present about the future objectives and the courses of action for their achievement.


2. Directing - The function of leading the employees to perform efficiently, and contribute their optimum to the achievement of organizational objectives. Jobs assigned to subordinates have to be explained and clarified, they have to be provided proper guidance in job performance.


3. Organizing - Organizing involves identification of activities required for the achievement of objectives and implementation of plans. Every manager has to decide what activities have to be undertaken in his department or section for the achievement of the goals entrusted to him.


4. Controlling - Controlling is the function of ensuring that the departmental and individual performances are consistent with the predetermined objectives and goals. Deviations from objectives and plans have to be identified and investigated, and correction action should be taken.

Apart from these four, I 'll also like to mention that staffing and coordination are no less important aspects to understand complete functions of a manager.

The "art of getting things done through people".

A manager is one who contributes to the organization’s goals indirectly by directing the efforts of others – not by performing the task himself. On the other hand, a person who is not a manager makes his contribution to the organization’s goals directly by performing the task himself.

Sometimes, a person in an organization may play both these roles simultaneously. For example, a sales or Tech manager is performing a managerial role when he is directing his sales or Tech team to meet the organization’s goals, but when he himself is contacting a large customer base and negotiating a deal or solving the customer's issues, he is performing a non-managerial role. In the former role, he is directing the efforts of others and is contributing to the organization’s goals indirectly, in the latter role, he is directly utilizing his skills as a salesman or a technician to meet the organization’s objectives.

Management may be called as the sum-total of all these activities like -

1. Determine objectives, plans, and policies.
2. Secure and assist men, material, machinery cheaply.
3. Direct and motivate the men at work,
4. Supervises and control their performance, and
5. Provide maximum prosperity and happiness for both employer and employees.