Essay on "Controlling Leading Organizing Planning"

r />The managerial function of control is an extremely complex one and it plays the final role of ensuring operational and organizational efficiency. Particularly, emphasis is placed on the completion of organizational processes within the imposed performance standards. At a functional level, managerial control is ensured throughout the gradual implementation of six stages -- the creation of performance standards, the analysis of jobs, the measurement of performance, the comparison of estimations and results, corrective action and the prevention of corrective action (Say Economy, 2010).

In terms of the first stage -- the establishment of performance standards -- the technical skills required include vast technical skills of the operations undertaken by the firm, as well as vast knowledge of performance indicators, such as costs, results, quality measurements and so on. Secondly, at the level of the job analysis and job description, the skills required include patience and commitment, ability to thoroughly assess jobs and correlate the responsibilities with the skills required from a candidate but also vision and critical look. Third, in terms of monitoring and assessing measures, the skills required refer to multitasking and the ability to compare actual actions with estimations and performance expectations.

Fourth, at the level of comparing the results with the initial estimations, the necessary skill refers to an ability to effectively and objectively compare and distinguish the major from the negligible deviances. Fifth, in terms of corrective action, the skill requirement is that of having an ability to identify the root cause of problems and develop and implement solutions which solve it. Finally, with regard to the development and implementation of preventive methods to avoiding corrective actions, the skills required refer to the abilities to assess the whole ensemble, as well as the ability to foresee potential problems and address them early on.

b) Leadership

In order to be a good manager, the individual has to be a good leader. The leadership function is a highly sensitive one as it deals with the humane side directly. The leader has to motivate people, to convince subalterns to commit to the organization and support it in reaching its objectives. The leader inspires people and increases employee morale. In order for him/her to be able to do this however, it is necessary that they possesses several skills. At a general level, it would be necessary for the manager to possess good communications skills, compassion, high ethical standards and the ability to lead by example, the ability to inspire and motivate, the ability to work as part of a team, but also ability to lead the team, flexibility, integrity, availability, as well as a healthy balance between autocracy and democracy in leadership (White, 2005).

Lawrence J. Gitman and Carl McDaniel (2008) identify three categories of managerial skills -- technical skills, conceptual skills and human relations skills. The technical skills refer to specialized areas of expertise which are clearly defined and possessed. In terms of conceptual skills, some examples in this sense… READ MORE