What Is Management? Definition, Types, Skills, and Careers

Management is how businesses organise and direct workflow, operations, and employees to meet company goals. The primary goal of management is to create an environment that allows employees to work efficiently and productively. A solid organisational structure serves as a guide for workers and establishes the tone and focus of their work.

Managers take the lead in implementing and evaluating these structures. As a manager, you may be responsible for any of the following tasks:

• Creating goals and objectives

• Creating schedules

• Developing strategies to increase performance, productivity, and efficiency

• Ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations

• Mentoring employees

• Monitoring budgets, productivity levels, and performance

• Resolving customer problems

• Training staff

Learn more about management, its different styles, what managers do, and the jobs you can expect to encounter in the field.

Key functions of a manager

Managers have several functions within an organisation. You'll usually see these functions divided into four interconnected groups. Understanding them can help you identify your strengths and areas of need so that you can choose the proper training to improve your skills.

Planning

The first function of a manager is to set goals. Depending on the manager's level of responsibility, these goals may be for individual employees, departments, or the entire organisation. In addition to setting goals, managers often develop action items, strategies, and resources to complete tasks and meet goals. 

Organising  

Meeting organisational goals requires putting the right people in the right places. Managers can play an important role in choosing workers for positions and projects. Knowing how to group people and help them build relationships often significantly affects how well the group works together. Sometimes, managers need to train employees for specific tasks to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Motivating

Managers help motivate employees to show up and stay productive. This includes sharing a common vision, encouraging them to develop their strengths, and inspiring them to do their best work at all times. Effective communication skills are essential for this role. 

Evaluating

Managers typically spend time measuring the success of their teams and how well they meet goals. The more they understand what works and doesn't work, the better prepared they are to make decisions in the future. Managers must understand and adjust strategies to meet company goals.

Levels of management

In many organisations, management falls into one of three levels: top, middle, and low. Managers in smaller companies may fill roles at more than one level, while larger organisations may have several managers within each level.

• Top: Top-level management typically has an administrative role, and their decisions affect the entire organisation even though they are sometimes involved in day-to-day operations. They may have the title of chief executive officer (CEO) or serve on the board of directors.

• Middle: At the middle management level, you find people with director or head roles. They work with top-level management and supervisors to help workers meet objectives and boost productivity. At this level, they may be regional or general managers.

• Low: The final level of management often has a supervisory role. These managers have titles like shift supervisor or team leader. They work with individuals and teams to meet goals determined by upper management. Compared to the other management levels, they typically have less influence over company policy but the most interaction with workers.

Management styles

The way you choose to manage your team or department can have a direct effect on how they meet their goals. What you say and do may send powerful messages to employees about how you value their contributions and your level of trust in them. Understanding different management styles and when they're most and least useful may be helpful. The list below highlights some of the more common styles used by managers.

Authoritative

Authoritative leaders tend to make decisions without feedback from others. This approach works well when you need to respond quickly and don't have time for debate. If you rely on this approach too much, you may see high levels of turnover within the organisation and stalled innovation.

Coaching

Some managers view their role as that of a coach who sees the potential in employees and wants to help them grow. This can effectively build strong teams and create an environment where employees feel comfortable experimenting. Under this style, employees typically have a sense of autonomy, but those who need more direction may feel some neglect.

Democratic

Democratic managers value employees' input in the decision-making process and usually believe having more ideas is better than having a few. This management style may help empower and motivate employees to work towards common goals. However, sorting through all of the voices and finding a consensus to make a decision can take time.

Transformational

In a transformational management style, managers prioritise innovation and growth. These managers encourage employees to discover just what they're capable of achieving. Workers with transformational leaders tend to be happy and dedicated to their work, but they must be able to adapt to sudden changes.

Visionary

A visionary leader knows how to ensure every team member understands the company's vision and is working towards a common goal. These leaders tend to be excellent communicators and typically give workers plenty of autonomy as long as they effectively execute the vision.

Careers in management

Managers work in almost every type of company and industry, and for many businesses, there is a range of management positions, with managers at several levels of an organisation. The following management job titles reflect the variety of management positions available.

Advertising and promotions managers

Median annual base salary (UK): £39,230 [1]

As an advertising and promotions manager, you help companies promote their products and services through strategic campaigns. Depending on your area of work, you'll typically need a degree in marketing or advertising, with modules in business, communications, or graphic design. Before becoming a manager, you may build work experience in an entry-level marketing or advertising role.

Construction managers

Median annual base salary (UK): £58,236 [2]

Construction managers typically divide their time between the office and a construction site. In this role, you may set budgets, hire sub-contractors or crew members, oversee their work, and adjust plans to meet deadlines. Depending on your employer, you may need a Higher National Diploma or a construction, estimating, or engineering degree. 

Financial managers

Median annual base salary (UK): £56,806  [3] 

As a financial manager, you may work in various environments where you analyse data, create financial reports, and help individuals or companies set and meet financial goals. Before pursuing this career, you'll need a degree in accounting, finance, or similar. In some cases, you may want to earn industry certification as well. 

Food service managers

Median annual base salary (UK): £26,991 [4]

Food service managers oversee kitchen and waiting staff in restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels. In this position, you may create schedules, order supplies, and ensure employees follow food safety guidelines. You can usually enter this field straight from college, with a college course such as a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership or similar. You’ll likely need experience working in a restaurant as a deputy manager or a food prep supervisor.

Health services managers

Median annual base salary (UK): £31,498  [5]

As a health services manager, you may work in a doctor's office, hospital, rehab facility, or similar environment where you supervise and coordinate health care providers and support staff’s work. You'll need at least a degree in health care administration or a relevant field, and many people in this role also have a master's degree. In addition to the degree, you need to have some relevant industry experience.

Sales manager

Median annual base salary (UK): £56,332 [6] 

Sales managers supervise the team of sales professionals in an organisation. As a sales manager, you can expect to set goals and quotas for individual sales representatives and teams and track their progress. You may be called upon to speak with customers and handle complaints. You may need a degree to qualify for this type of position. Think about subjects such as business management, retail management, or maths. 

Next steps in management with Coursera

Building and expanding your management skills can be helpful no matter where you are in your career. With management positions at all levels, you’ll find progression opportunities. 

You can explore what managers do through a course like Principles of Management from Johns Hopkins University, available on Coursera. Learn ways to motivate and influence people in the Leading People and Teams Specialisation from the University of Michigan or hone in on specific skills by earning the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate offered by Google, available on Coursera.