Management

Defined:

Taking control of difficult situations and delegating tasks to the people who are under your leadership is the definition of management. It is being in a role that challenges you to make decisions not only for yourself, but for your company and employees as well.

Reflection:

Management is a skill that develops over time; we learn how to lead others in an effective and compassionate manner. In my opinion management is the most difficult skill that we will ever encounter, it requires the ability to make challenging decisions and take on difficult responsibilities.

The artifact that I have chosen is a chart that is used to think through and solve problems that come about when we are in management positions. I mentioned above that one of the hardest things that we have to do in management situations is make decisions. This is a simple fact, but the difficult part is normally trying to figure out which decision to make.

One day I sat in my Freshmen Business class and we had a guest speaker, her name was Dr. Martha Louder. Dr. Louder was an extraordinary woman who founded the class I was attending many years ago with the help of some of her honors students. She started a program to build businessmen and women who aren't just there to get through school, but instead to learn valuable skills in the process.

Artifact:

Dr. Martha Louder

Problem Solving System Chart

The most important thing that I took from her lecture was that managing people isn't about the position; instead it is about how we solve problems and find the best solution that benefits everyone. She broke down this system into 4 simple steps. No not everything always works in a perfect cycle, but this chart is the basis for the way to make the important decision involved in management positions. So when I am in a situation where I'm in charge and there is a problem to be solved I know that this method will help me to come to a conclusion that will quickly and efficiently benefit everyone around me. Managers have a tough job, but if they have compassion and dedication they can be great leaders to the people that they are in charge of managing.