Business Management Through the Ages

Some say the first position in business management was Adam's job to effectively manage Eve. We all know how that went. From time immemorial, organizations ranging from Adam and Eve's two person operation all the way to the today's international corporate monoliths have faced the challenges associated with managing people.

There are those of us who are born with leadership in the blood. They possess an innate ability to assume the mantle of a leader and effectively manage and motivate those who come under their domain. And then there are the remaining 99% of us. For most, managing others is a skill honed over a lifetime, but never quite perfected. Effective administration of your staff and business requires diverse abilities and a depth of related knowledge.

Oftentimes, especially in a start-up scenario, the leader will often have to wear several hats. No job is beneath a manager of a newly formed business. Leadership is often forged in the crucible of the adversity associated with a fledgling business. Initial employees witnessing their boss down in the trench with them is invaluable in creating and engendering the respect which is requisite for a leader of any entity.

Newly promoted managers and budding entrepreneurs have a wealth of resources available to them. Entry level managers at large businesses are usually provided with executive training courses. Others, however, are subjected to the school of sink or swim. For them, a brief perusal of the Internet shows a plethora of books and other resources imparting information about management within every form of commerce imaginable.

It may be cliche, but the adage of "leading from in front" exists for good reason. Commerce can be analogous to battle, and in both scenarios the troops will fight hardest for the leader who has garnered the most respect and admiration. This most often results from the leader exhibiting the willingness to get into the trenches with his troops not viewing any task too menial. Many managers operate in an ivory tower. They are aloof and detached from the daily grind of their staff. Common sense portends the fate of such executives.

Communication is critical within any corporate setting. Most of you reading this have experienced working for a boss who was less than ideal in terms of communicating with employees. Significant time and resources can be squandered when your team proceeds in the wrong direction because you failed to effectively communicate the game plan.

The realm of management most dreaded by many executives relates to when employees don't fulfill your expectations. Many managers are at one extreme end of the spectrum or the other when it comes to this arena. Some are extraordinarily harsh and unduly mean. This creates fear, which perversely many managers desire. However, I challenge you to identify a famous successful manager who was more feared than he or she was respected. Other managers are at the other extreme, unable to mete out any discipline whatsoever. Neither end of this spectrum is desirable. Striking the medium being able to properly motivate and reinforce correct behavior amongst staff is an art learned over a lifetime in business management.

An effective manager wears many hats. At points they must play the part of disciplinarian vice principal. Other times they are a financial analyst. They often must become experts in subjects ranging from telecommunication plans to office lease rates. The realm of knowledge required for successful business management often can seem limitless. The best managers never stop studying, learning and attempting to continuously upgrade their techniques.

From the time someone opened the first arrowhead trading hut in front of his cave, the challenges of running a business and managing people have been with us. Managing is more art than science and is never perfected. The best managers continually educate themselves, test their former theories, and they are willing to adapt to changing circumstances. Learn from the best history has to give us. Most have not been shy explaining exactly how they manage and the philosophies behind their actions. Take advantage of their largesse.

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