Module 2 • Management Human skills


Human skills involve your ability to work with other people. This is because a good manager is no longer performing the task him/herself, but must ensure that the workers do it. The manager therefore has to possess some of the following skills: • Ability to communicate well • Ability to motivate workers • Ability to understand other people


Conceptual skills


This refers to an ability to apply or adapt existing methods, techniques, designs, problems and ideas to create a better alternative. It means that such a person must have an understanding of the interrelatedness of the different facets of the business, as well as an acute awareness of the business environments. Creativity is a characteristic of a manager with good conceptual skills. The manager must also have the skill to make decisions, given all these variables.


Activity 2


Cut out at least six different employment advertisements from the employment section of your local newspaper or recruitment website , and categorise them according to similar tasks or responsibilities. 1. What struck you? 2. Can you add a few other human skills? Consult the newspaper advertisements (your advertisements) and list them.


Keep this assignment to refer back to in later modules. 2. Responsibilities of managers


The magnitude of a manager’s responsibilities is closely related to his/her position in a business. If the business belongs to you, you are ultimately responsible for the whole business. That responsibility includes a financial obligation, should your business fail. On the other hand, if you are working for a business, your first promotion to a management position will entail only limited responsibilities. Responsibilities within a business are linked to the various levels of management in that business.


2.1


Primary responsibility of the different levels of managers Top level


As mentioned earlier, managers at this level accept responsibility for the business as a whole. It entails the co-ordination of activities, goals, objectives, strategies and policies. Examples of such positions are the chief executive officer, board members and the small business owner.


Middle level


Middle level management varies significantly according to the size of a company, but they normally accept responsibility for a specific department of a business. If it is a large business, such departments might for example consist of smaller departments. The marketing department might have a sales department and an advertising department. Managers in charge of these departments might also be part of middle level management. These managers are normally experts in that specific field. The middle level managers fulfil a critical role in a business, because they have to supervise and co-ordinate the implementation of visions, objectives and goals set by top management. The design and implementation of successful operational plans form part of this.


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