What Is a Manager?

The classic definition of a manager is one who gets things done through other people. You may be planning, directing, controlling, hiring, delegating, assigning, organizing, motivating, disciplining, or doing any number of other things managers do on a daily basis. No matter what you do, though, you are working toward a goal by helping others do their work.

You are a manager if:

You direct the work, rather than perform it. Are you frequently tempted to pitch in on a regular basis or to do the work yourself, rather than delegate? If so, you are not spending your time wisely or well. Occasionally, you may have to roll up your sleeves and work with the team on a rush project. Remember, though, you were hired to manage the staff’s work - not to be part of the staff.

You have responsibilities for hiring, firing, training, and disciplining employees. Staff development is an important part of your job. Such development often determines whether staff members stay with an organization or leave for better opportunities. In addition to regular performance appraisals, you should work with each person you manage to determine a career path.

You exercise authority over the quality of work and the conditions under which it is performed. As a manager, your first obligation is to your people. In part, this obligation means you work to ensure a safe environment for them and to uncover potential threats to that environment. Does your team know what to do, for example, if all the lights suddenly went out or if a bomb threat were received? The obligation also means you owe your customers - internal or external - the highest-quality outputs.

You serve as liaison between employees and upper management. Managers wear many hats. Among them: traffic cop, psychologist, coach, minister, diplomat, and envoy. In this role, you serve as the link between those doing the work and those who need or benefit from the work being done. The liaison serves as a buffer, a praiser, a translator, and a seeker-of-resources to ensure the work is done more efficiently and the employees are recognized when they have completed it.

You motivate employees and contribute to a culture of accomplishment. You have no doubt heard that the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is "that little extra." If you are totally committed to your job as a manager, then you are aware of the need to motivate, to instill pride, to create a climate in which innovation can flourish.

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Tim Scott is an expert author and writer who pleased the world with his writeup. He also blogs for their Fans and followers and provide the solution of their query, with this blog he wants to share his knowledge.