Introduction
Management involves the procedures that are undertaken for the achievement of set goals. It includes the actions and controlling of actions to meet ends (“Leadership 501”, 2008). We are all managing something or the other at all times, ourselves, our families, or our homes. To achieve our goals, we have to go through the processes of planning, controlling and evaluating. In this paper we will discuss what is generally thought of management, and what it actually is.
The Seven Beliefs
There have been some beliefs which some managers have put into the field of business, known as the ‘seven deadly myths’. Many managers staunchly believe in them, while others disagree with what they have put forth:
- Experience makes a person wiser
- If you have more information on a subject, decision making will be better and more effective
- All problems can be solved rationally
- Emotions are troublesome
- Leaders must encourage the subordinates
- You cannot find something you have lost, in the dark
- Seven is not a magic number
Experience Makes a Person Wise
This is a belief of many people, including most parents. Every now and then the youngsters of today get to hear their parents talking of their past experiences and then mentioning the fact that they are “more experienced”. But just because a person is more experienced, does not make him wiser from any aspect. The new consultants of this date are however, looking at management from a different viewpoint, and are bringing better methodologies into their businesses.
Better Decision-making through More Information
Often it seems as though a better decision would be made to implement, if a substantial amount of related information has been gathered. This does not have anything to do with the management process, as managing involves carrying out of activities and making judgments based on little, or even incomplete information. This is what management is all about (Drury, M. & Kitsopoulos, S., 2005). Managing things and handling matters without complete information.
All Problems Can Be Solved Rationally
Each problem that a person in any organization deals with is related to other human beings, and their differences. Every individual has his or her unique style of delivering services, which may cause objections in the minds of others. The myth that all problems can be solved rationally does not hold true for any case whatsoever, as problems do not occur due to inanimate objects, but due to the relationships and the shortcomings of employees.
Emotions and their Effects
Emotions whether positive or negative, affect the environment you are working in. negative emotions may include anger and fear, and positive emotions are happiness and joy, amongst other feelings. Emotions affect our decision making (“Importance of Emotions”). The environment in offices is usually a tense and stressful one, with people worried with the responsibilities they have to shoulder, and the time limits they have to meet deadlines, etc. all facial expressions also show emotions and this affects communication.
Leaders and their Encouragement
The leaders of any institute are to bring out the best from the subordinates. Despite the fact that each individual has an inner force that makes him perform well, and there is no need for any external pressures to make him work the way he should, there comes a difference when the boss utters a few words of encouragement. The employee automatically desires to work in a better way and come up with an enhanced performance to impress or make his manager happier in future. Leaders have the ability to set an aim for the subordinates and then make them work accordingly, for goal attainment (McNamara, 2008).
Finding Lost Objects
The corporate culture a manager is working in should be thoroughly studied, for future enhancement. To be in the dark about things is not the way managers can carry on with their work. Today’s world, and wit each passing day, there is rising competition and growth of markets, etc., which requires managers to be on top of things, and plan and imply strategies according to the rewards that are present for their work, or the drawbacks they may face.
Seven is not a Magic Number
We all somehow have superstitious characters, as is being passed on from generation to generation. Each of us has some belief or the other, related to good or bad luck, and we work very carefully, not to let these charms affect us. Similarly, we develop defense mechanisms to avoid any mishaps in our work, which include rituals, bringing in religion to help us from any future evils or negative elements. The consultants should keep in mind the fact that the subordinates can express any extremities of behavior, and should be able to cooperate with them.
Conclusion
The myths that have been followed for many years carry some importance in certain aspects, but not all of them are to be believed; they are true for management consultants to a limit, but not entirely.
Bibliography
Drury, M. & Kitsopoulos, S. 2005. Do You Still Believe in the Seven Deadly Myths? Consulting to Management; 16, 1. Web.
Leadership 501. 2008. Web.
McNamara, C. 2008. Basic Skills in Management and Leadership. Web.