Effective management is an important aspect of organizational success. For effective management to occur in an organization, a manager has to have the necessary skills required to carry out the four main functions of management (Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling) effectively. The following is, therefore, a discussion on how I acquired each of the skills required to perform the management function, and the areas that I think need improvement.
Planning
Planning is an important management function and simply refers to setting the goals to be achieved and then deciding how to attain them (Delbridge & Gratton 15). I have been able to acquire the skills required to plan through my education. For instance, through my education I have acquired the skills of planning that has enabled me to plan well for my studies. That is to say, to set my academic goals and come up with strategies of how to achieve them.
Organizing
Organizing is also a key management function and it refers to arranging the tasks, people and other resources required to complete work (Delbridge & Gratton 15). I acquired the skills of organizing through my Education. For instance, through my University education I have been able to be more organized in my studies. I can identify the tasks that I need to do so that I can study effectively. Additionally, I can to identify the resources that I need to study effectively.
Leading
Leading is also an important function and refers to the process of influencing people through motivating and directing them to achieve the organization’s goals (Delbridge & Gratton 15). I have acquired the skills for leading people through volunteering to be a group leader for the various groups where I am a member. For instance, being a group leader for our study group that has enabled me to know how to be a good leader by motivating and directing group members to work hard to achieve our set goals.
Controlling
Controlling is also a key management function and refers to monitoring performance through comparing the actual performance with the set goals and taking corrective actions required (Delbridge & Gratton 15). Through my Education, I can acquire the necessary skills for controlling function. I can compare my actual academic results with the set goals, and thus take corrective actions whenever necessary.
I have acquired a lot of skills required for being an effective manager. However, I still need to acquire more skills needed to perform the management functions especially controlling and organizing. I believe that as I continue with my education and more volunteering to be a leader in various groups, I will be able to acquire the necessary skills so that I can improve on these two management functions.
Work Cited
Delbridge, Rick, and Lynda Gratton. The Exceptional Manager Making the Difference. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. Print.
