As a professional in the software technology industry, I understand the importance of developing program management skills. In my current workplace, I find it quite difficult to get into one. To help people like me, I have identified seven managerial challenges and provided recommendations on how to overcome them and become a successful manager. The first challenge is understanding your team.
To do this, it is important to take personality tests such as 16 personalities, the Four Trends questionnaire, or Myers Briggs. These tests will help you better manage your team, communicate more effectively and identify any weak points. The second challenge is firing employees. Before doing so, it is important to do a root cause analysis to see if there is any way to keep them on your team.
This will help you find the balance between great performance and taking care of your health and that of your team. The third challenge is understanding the different levels of managers. According to Pavett and Lau (198), managers at different levels do similar work. However, Mintzberg (1997) identified seven functions of managers which are: interpersonal, symbolic head, figurehead, leader, liaison, monitor, disseminator and spokesperson. The fourth challenge is understanding the different roles of managers. According to Mintzberg (1973), there are three roles of managers: interpersonal roles, informational roles and decisional roles.
Interpersonal roles involve interacting with people inside and outside the organization. Informational roles involve gathering and disseminating information. Decisional roles involve making decisions. The fifth challenge is understanding the different types of management styles. According to Robbins (2003), there are four types of management styles: autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire and bureaucratic.
Autocratic management style involves making decisions without consulting others. Democratic management style involves consulting others before making decisions. Laissez-faire management style involves delegating tasks and allowing employees to make their own decisions. Bureaucratic management style involves following rules and regulations. The sixth challenge is understanding the different types of organizational structures.
According to Robbins (2003), there are four types of organizational structures: functional, divisional, matrix and network. Functional structure involves grouping employees by function or specialty. Divisional structure involves grouping employees by product or service. Matrix structure involves grouping employees by both function and product or service.
Network structure involves forming alliances with other organizations. The seventh challenge is understanding the different types of organizational cultures. According to Robbins (2003), there are four types of organizational cultures: clan culture, adhocracy culture, market culture and hierarchy culture. Clan culture involves creating a family-like atmosphere in the organization. Adhocracy culture involves encouraging creativity and innovation in the organization.
Market culture involves focusing on customer satisfaction in the organization. Hierarchy culture involves emphasizing rules and regulations in the organization. These seven managerial challenges can be difficult to overcome but with the right knowledge and strategies they can be managed effectively. By understanding your team, firing employees responsibly, understanding different levels of managers, understanding different roles of managers, understanding different types of management styles, understanding different types of organizational structures and understanding different types of organizational cultures you can become a successful manager.
