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7.1 What is management?
Management is about using resources—human, financial, natural, technical and cultural—to achieve a goal. Management can also refer to the people who manage this task.
- How do managers achieve their goals?
- Different roles between managers and directors
- Managers—what they do
- Directors—what they do
How do managers achieve their goals?
Managers achieve their goals by:
Different roles between managers and directors
The managers and governing bodies of organisations have different powers and roles. Yet some organisations have major conflicts about this.
One of the biggest challenges for managers is to make sure that they and their directors know the difference between their roles. If the roles and powers aren’t clearly set out, it’s a recipe for disaster.
Sometimes a CEO or executive manager confuses their own role with that of the directors, such as making decisions, developing governance policies or setting strategic directions. And sometimes directors interfere in the day-to-day running of the organisation.
Coach and captain—working as a team
Caption: Yuendumu Magpies, “Aboriginal Rules” PAW Media
Remember, the job of a CEO is a bit like that of a footy captain - see Chapter 1.
The captain is the leader of the players (staff) on the field, giving the team inspiration, helping them to use the tactics they have practised and encouraging them to play their best.
The governing body is like the coaches and the club managers. They do the overall planning, setting the strategies and tactics for the game, and objectives for the whole year. But during the game, they must sit on the sideline and let the captain and his team get on with playing the game.
While they have different jobs to do, if they don’t work together as a team, they won’t ever be able to win a footy match.
See: Resource 7.1 What can we do?—Footy—playing the governance game
Managers—what they do
Managers—often called the chief executive officer (CEO) or the general manager—work with the directors or governing body of the organisation, the community and members serviced by the organisation, as well as outside stakeholders. To do a good job, a manager needs to:
By doing these tasks well, good managers create good corporate governance.
Directors—what they do
The directors do not manage the day-to-day operations of a corporation—that is the job of managers. Directors’ functions include:
Are there management problems in your organisation? Do our quick check up to help you find out…
See: Resource 7.2 Check-up—Signs of management problems in your organisation
Management is the link between governance and work. It's about planning the tasks, and getting people, relationships and technology organised to do the job.
——Institute of Governance, Canada
Read next: 7.2 Managing staff
Read previous: 7. Management and staff