Why Management?

Recently, I have heard someone ask the question, "Why do we have managers?" and "Why management?" These questions weren't asked in a rhetorical way, but with curiosity. I think these questions lead to asking what is meant by "management." 

A colleague of mine suggested we read parts of The Essential Drucker as a first step to finding some good reading material to help people who are trying to think through why we have managers. I plan to read the first portion of this book, which is called "Management" in the next two weeks. Feel free to read along, as I'm hoping to work my way through the entire book during May. At some point in the first week of May, I'll write an update to throw some thoughts about management and managers. 

I interact with lots of inexperienced folks, and I think it's important for me to have well-thought out and genuine answers to these questions. What would you say to an intern who asked you questions about the definition of management? What reading material or video clips helped you think through why we have management and managers?  

Comments

[Tammy Carroll]

I look forward to your follow-up on this topic.
I think if a person accepts the definitions stated in your earlier post about the differences between management and leadership, it will be easier for him or her to answer this question. Managers are needed to produce results with defined constraints and conditions. Leaders are needed to drive change in the order of things. I do not mean leaders by title, but instead by people that have certain qualities.

[Ann]

Thanks for the comment, Tammy. If you think of any other books or articles that might explore this topic, I'd like to hear about them.

[staffaction]

To answer I'd quote Drucker: "To make strength productive" is the role of the manager. I remember listening to a speaker from Mercatus who summed it up in similar fashion. "The role of the manager is simple, know what the strengths and comparative advantages are of each of your direct reports then make sure their work is aligned accordingly." (I paraphrased.)