The basic definition of management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The basic definition of management - Essay Example Typified hierarchical organizational structures of the past, with strong control mechanisms, have slowly given way to modern, flat, loosely connected organizational structures with emphasis on core competencies, and outsourcing of non-core functions. The basic definition of management as a process of planning, organizing, staffing, leading and control (Koontz & Weihrich, 1990) are still relevant and various approaches have been formulated and presented in management literature. In this paper the aspect of leading and its connection with planning and staffing would be explored. Leading is the ability to positively influence people and systems to have a meaningful impact and achieve results. "Leaders venture out. Leaders are pioneers - people who are willing to step out in the unknown (Kouzes & Posner, 2006). Leading is about search for opportunities, to innovate, grow and improve. Leading, perhaps is the most crucial aspect of management, and predominantly, deals with the interpersonal behavior and relationship management. In a globalized economy, the expanse leadership extends beyond an organization, encompassing cultural diversity across the borders. Unwittingly, the leadership attribute is also latently embedded with ethical considerations. So what does a leader do In effect a leader inspires, influences, persuades, encourages, motivates, attracts, and unifies team members to accomplish the organizational mission. Leadership is innately linked with effectiveness. Leadership provides strategic direction to the enterprise to achieve its missions. Through the strategic directions emanate the function of planning. What to do in the long term, medium term, annual, and quarterly periods What skills should the team develop in course of the planned periods, and how are they to be realized Planning, and building core competencies, go together. Talent acquisition and nurturing is a critical staffing function, which in turn, is driven through right global leadership. Leadership in Planning Leadership drives strategic planning. Those in leadership must ensure buy-in from members of the team with regard to the organizational values, mission, and goals. The twin responsibility of leadership therefore, is to manage perceptions of the team members, and drive the planning process itself. Genuine communication and empathy are the key skills of leadership that enable achieving these objectives. Strategic plans play the role of signposts that guide behavior and decision making in organizations. The plans translate into departmental and individual objectives. The role of leadership is to ensure continuous alignment of individual goals with organizational missions. The departmental and individual goals can further be amplified using acceptable performance measures, and monitor them periodically. So in a way, plans connect with the management functions of coordination and control. Leadership in a sense provides the vital link between planning and doing. Effective leadership channelizes the organizational efforts towards meeting short and long term objectives of the enterprise. Leadership in Staffing Leadership in staffing is about creating a shared vision, involving the right people, for the right job, at the right time. Leadership can play a silent but effective role of changing the organizational culture through world class professionalism, and conducive

The Causes of Occupational Stress and Its Effects on Overall Dissertation

The Causes of Occupational Stress and Its Effects on Overall Performance within Oil and Gas Industry - Dissertation Example Stress can be described as a reaction or feeling that an individual experiences. The examples of workplace stressor include being overworked and time pressures. It is a condition or difficult situation that disturb or is expected to upset the normal physiological functioning of an individual. It is the response of a body which is harmful in nature that tends to disturb its physiological equilibrium (Cooper & Et. Al., 2010). Response Based Stress Response based stress is the form of strain, pressure and tension. The approach of response based stress is to understand stress which appears to describe an intangible happening hence it can be analysed as outcome. In research terms, it can be explained as dependant variable, where the major hypothetical field is the sign of stress (Cooper & Et. Al., 2010). . Occupational Stress There is a negative upsetting experience within an individual in a workplace which is complex as well as dynamic process and directly or indirectly affects the physiological factors of individuals such as gastrointestinal disorders, mental trauma, musculoskeletal pain and cardiovascular diseases. It is risky to work in a stressful environment as it may be physically harmful which is called as symptom for psychological distress (Clarke & Cooper, 2004). According to National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the number of cumulative trauma of the US employees has increased and there were large number of personal injuries in the United Kingdom. The cumulative trauma mentally affects a person due to continuous exposure to occupational stress (Clarke & Cooper, 2004). A various number of studies in the earlier days have shown that occupational stress has been considered as the prime risky aspect for mental illness among the workers in an occupation. It has been analysed by Stansfeld and Candy that combining high demands with low decision latitude along with high efforts with low rewards were eventually a factor which causes mental disorders (Stansfeld & Candy, 2006). Causes The cause of stress depends upon structure of the workplace and type of job that an individual does in an organisation. The stress is caused due to following reasons: Demand: The demand factor is the main cause for stress; it depends upon workload of an in dividual. The work can expose an individual to different physical risks such as fire, noise, chemicals and others. Control: An individual gets involved in making decision and influences others in a workplace. Relationship: The bad relationship with team members,