The most skilled managers have multiple roles that aim to empower rather than control
“Express with” instead of express “power over.”. ”
Management: AM ultifaceted Responsibility
Management is more than just overseeing tasks and ensuring deadlines are met. It is an intricate blend of multiple roles that shape a leader’s ability to inspire, guide, and support their team. A great manager is not only an instructor but also a supervisor, troubleshooter, mediator, counselor, friend, and even a parental figure to their team
1. Teaching: The Foundation of Growth
A manager is a teacher who imparts knowledge, skills, and values essential for the professional growth of their team. Whether it’s training employees on new processes or guiding them towards better problem-solving techniques, effective teaching builds a strong foundation for long-term success
2. Supervising: Ensuring Efficiency and Accountability
Supervision ensures that work is executed effectively while maintaining accountability. A good manager keeps a keen eye on progress without micromanaging, empowering employees to take ownership of their responsibilities while providing necessary oversight
3. Troubleshooting: Solving Problems Proactively
Challenges and obstacles are inevitable in any organization. Managers must be quick problem-solvers, identifying issues before they escalate and developing efficient solutions that maintain workflow continuity and team morale
4. Mediating: Balancing Perspectives and Resolving Conflicts
Conflicts arise in any workplace. A skilled manager acts as a mediator, ensuring that disputes are resolved fairly, maintaining harmony, and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect
5. Counseling: Supporting Emotional and Professional Well-being
Beyond work-related guidance, managers often take on the role of counselors, offering emotional support to employees dealing with personal or professional challenges. This enhances trust, motivation, and loyalty within the team
6. Friendship: Building Strong Professional Bonds
While maintaining professionalism, a manager who fosters friendly relationships with their team creates a positive and engaging work environment. This approach encourages open communication and boosts team morale
7. Parenthood: Nurturing Growth and Providing Direction
Much like a parent, a manager nurtures their team’s development, offering encouragement, discipline, and guidance to help employees reach their full potential. They balance authority with empathy, ensuring that the team feels valued and supported
Remember what the management guru Mary Parker Follett said — “power with” rather than “power over. ”
Mary Parker Follett advocated for collaboration rather than solely relying on top-down authority, advocating for participative leadership where managers and employees work together to make decisions. Shared responsibility and engagement are encouraged in this approach. The foundations of modern concepts, such as servant leadership and conflict resolution, were laid by Follett, who argued that effective management involves empowerment rather than manipulation
Conclusion
The role of a manager is not limited to delegation and supervision, as it involves many other tasks. A leader who possesses the skills of teaching, supervising, troubleshooting, mediation, counseling, friendship maintenance, and parental guidance is considered exceptional. Managers can use these roles to build a motivated, high-performing team that thrives in any professional setting
Afzal Hussain, a Proven Leader in Driving Business Growth and Organizational excellence, has expertise in Operations, Project Oversight, Training, Content Strategy, and Corporate Communication
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