Management Practical Skills - Essay Example

YOU AS A MANAGER Henry Mintzberg, a management theorist and critic and a Professor of Management Studies, has expressed his ideas in the context of the practice of management in various articles and books, for instance, ‘The MBA Menace’ and ‘Managers Not MBAs’ (Berrett-Koehler). In the article, The MBA Menace, Mintzberg thinks that, the manner in which the MBAs students are taught management is wrong. According to Mintzberg, management is neither an art nor a science, but rather a practice. Management according to the author is a practice which relies generally on craft and considerably on art. Through experience, individuals can learn craft, and/or admire art in classrooms. It is apparent that organizations are a multifaceted phenomenon which means that managing them is a hard task, nuanced business, which necessitates implicit understanding which can only be achieved in context (Mintzberg, 2004). By describing management as a practice, Mintzberg, means that management cannot be taught in a classroom, students needs to have experience in management which can only be obtained through practice. The author believes that, management education starts when one gains position as a manager. From here individuals are ready for formal management education where they can engage in programs which will allow them to build on their experience and also share with other practicing managers (Mintzberg, 2004). Practical skills are linked to the application of theory, knowledge, and/or skills attained and developed by students during their years of higher education to perform real life responsibilities (Ellis, 2005). Most professions such as management, leadership, administration amongst others necessitate practical skills whilst others including teaching, research work, nursing or dance are practical in nature. How then do students develop skills for such professions which are not practical? It is true that individuals acquire the practical skills of a practice such a management through a certain process. Studies have revealed that theoretical knowledge (that which has been gained from a classroom) is not enough especially in this competitive arena. Furthermore, Mintzberg puts forth that, sitting in a classroom for several years do not make an individual to acquire the skills required to become a manager (2004). The process of acquiring practical skills of a practice encompasses various stages that individuals must pass through. Acquiring basic college education is the first step. It is apparent that individuals require a foundation which can only be attained by passing through the recommended years of training in their area of study. This will offer them theoretical knowledge in which they will base their practice. In fact, a person cannot go for an interview without a good education behind him/her and be taken seriously. The next step is to gain practical experience from practicing organizations. Students are recommended to take part in work placements, internships and attachments during their college years and in fact some colleges make it mandatory for their students, in order to put the knowledge gained throughout the classroom work is put into practice. The practical experience gained by the students is considered very essential in boosting their career. It is obviously very hard for a fresh graduate from college to get him/herself a job as a manager. In fact, most companies are very reluctant to hire an inexperienced fresh graduate even with an impressive academic record (Mendez, 2009). Generally, they prefer persons with experience to carry out the assigned duties, not to be trained. However, persons aspiring to become managers should not give up. Mintzberg advises them to get themselves a job in any industry of their choice and stick by it. The globe does not require more case-study managers who jump from one industry to the other, may be in search for fame or financial satisfaction. Mintzberg puts forth that by proving one self by performing the duties as effectively as possible; it is very easy to be tapped for a managerial position. This according to Mintzberg is the stage where an individual’s management education begins. By practicing, it is very easy to acquire the skills required for a manager. The combination of a formal management education plus practical training in management will offer a person adequate knowledge and skills of management (Daft, and Marcic 2010). Furthermore, engaging in programs that builds on one experience and which allows a person to share with his/her experiences with other practicing managers is also an essential step in acquiring practical management skills. In the contemporary society, most students finish their undergraduate degree and apply for their MBA without even participating in a work placement where they can get a chance of applying their educational knowledge and theory in a work environment. Such students fail to know their strengths and weaknesses or what they are best in. Studies have revealed that students who take part in a work placement are able to put the theoretical knowledge they have gained through formal learning into practice and this assist them in developing the skills required (Mendez, 2009). Studies have revealed just sitting in a classroom for a number of years do not help persons to develop practical skills of a practice such as management. In fact, Mintzberg puts forth that ‘we cannot create a manager in a classroom’. Mintzberg gives an example to emphasize this point. He argues that dropping an MBA student in a classroom of experienced managers will only favour such a student on condition that the class sticks to technique and theory. Nevertheless, the moment the discussion is changed to application, the student will be lost (Mintzberg, 2004). In this case, a classroom of such inexperienced students is always lost. During formal education, practical skills can only be developed through coursework assessment, course design, feedback, group discussions and participation in events, attending seminars and tutorials which include interactive and proactive teaching (Mendez, 2009). Students are supposed to show an excellent working understanding of applicable knowledge and theory obtained through formal tuition and independent learning during these happenings. Furthermore, sharing and communicating ideas with other students can also assist in developing such skills. Through assessments, students are given an opportunity to escalate theoretical arguments, gather and appraise suitable information, incorporate findings into their arguments and work as a group or independently (Daft and Marcic, 2010). Moreover, students can be able to display realistic practical solutions to various problems they come across during their learning. Having studied a Bachelor of Business has been of great help in my career. It is evident that compared to other courses such as arts and sciences, studying a business course is linked with various benefits which assist a person to perform in a responsible role in an organization. Business is broad which means that with a Bachelor degree in Business one may work in any field as the procedures and processes learnt apply in various fields and furthermore, they are practical and applicable in daily life. In business, knowledge in various subjects including finance and accounting, economics, leadership, and management amongst others are offered. In addition to being taught basis business principles, students are also offered real life illustrations to examine in order to put such principles into practice. Generally, business instructors make use of case studies to reveal to students how things can go right or wrong depending on how a business is managed (Mendez, 2009). This means that a person can obtain a job in any industry of interest, work responsibly with an aim of going up the ladder to achieve a management position. By doing a business course, I was able to learn teamwork. Business studies are beneficial as they teach individuals about teamwork. In the current society, businesses are operated in a team format. Departments are run by a team of workers who should work hand in hand to achieve set business goals. Having the skills to work in a team and be able to deal with other people personality at place of work in order to attain higher goals is what I possess. Furthermore, as an aspiring manager, studying a business course gave me the foundation knowledge required to supervise and manage the staffs efficiently. It gave me the basis of what is to be expected from the personnel, how to respond to their grievances, and how they can be motivated. Evidently, my approach to education has been greatly influenced by my own personality and other factors including family pressures and work commitments. I always had an interest in becoming a manager some day and for this reason, I had to divert my education in a business course in order to obtain the basic principles of business and management. After my Bachelors degree, I obtained a good job with one of the industries of my choice. I did not know working was not that simple until I got myself that job. With loads of work to complete every day and a family to support, I barely get time or sufficient funds to enroll for an MBA. However, I believe that having a Bachelor degree is not sufficient and I have to take my education a step further if I want to become what I always dreamt of. References Daft, R. L and Marcic, D., 2010. Understanding Management, 7th Ed. London: Cengage Learning. Ellis, C. W., 2005. Management skills for new managers. AMACOM Div American Management Association. Mendez, R., 2009. the role of work integrated learning in academic performance. Graduate Market Trends: Manchester, HASCU. Mintzberg, H., 2004. The MBA Menace. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/83/mbamenace.html [accessed November 8th 2011]. Read More