Managing For Dummies®, 3rd Edition

Chapter 1. You're a Manager — Now What?

In This Chapter

• Figuring out what the heck management is

• Moving from being a doer to being a manager of doers

• Understanding the changing workforce

• Defining the key functions of management

• Taking the first steps toward becoming a manager

Managing is truly a calling — one that, during our long tenures as managers, we authors are proud to have answered. We're the few. The proud. The managers. In the world of business, no other place allows you to have such a direct, dramatic, and positive impact on the lives of others and on the ultimate success of your enterprise. This chapter provides an overview of the challenging and ever-changing world of management. Whether you're a manager or a manager-to-be, you can benefit from our inside look into the kinds of management techniques that can help you get the best from your employees every day of the week.

Identifying the Different Styles of Management

One definition describes management as "getting things done through others." Another definition more specifically defines management as "making something planned happen within a specific area through the use of available resources." Seems simple enough. So why do so many bright, industrious people have trouble managing well? And why do so many companies today seem to offer a flavor-of-the-month training program that changes each time some new management fad blows through the business scene?

Note

Unfortunately, good management is a scarce commodity, both precious ...