Table of Contents
- What is Management?
- Core Functions of Management
- Types of Management
- Levels of Management
- Different Management Styles
- Essential Management Skills
- Popular Job Roles in Management
- Managerial Salaries in India
- How to Start a Career in Management
“Good management is the art of making problems so interesting and their solutions so constructive that everyone wants to get to work and deal with them.”
- Paul Hawken, environmentalist, and economist
Management is what keeps a company running smoothly. Every business depends on managers to organize people and resources in the right way.
If you are planning to build a career in management or want to become a better manager, it is important to understand what the role actually involves. This article explains the meaning and definition of management, its key functions, important skills, and the job roles you can grow into.
What is Management?
Understanding the meaning and definition of management is helpful if you are thinking about becoming a manager or planning to study business. So, let’s start with the basics.
Read more: Top 10 Key Management Skills & Tips to Develop Them
What is the meaning of management?
Management is the process of getting work done through people in a structured and efficient way. It involves setting goals, creating plans, assigning tasks, and making sure everything runs smoothly. In simple terms, management meaning is about using resources like time, money, and people to achieve specific objectives.
What is the definition of management?
Experts often define management as the act of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling efforts to meet goals. This is the management definition commonly found in business and academic settings. In real life, though, management means handling people and processes in a way that gets results – without wasting time or resources.
This can be understood through two broad approaches – traditional and modern.
Traditional management definition
Older views of management focused mainly on results.
“Management is the art of getting things done through others.” – Mary Parker Follett
These early definitions were simple but limited. They didn’t fully explain how managers work or consider the needs of employees.
Modern management definition
Modern definitions include both the process and the people involved.
“Management is the process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals work together efficiently to achieve goals.” – Koontz & O’Donnell
This definition of management is more complete. It recognizes that good managers work with and through others.
Core Functions of Management
Every manager has a few core responsibilities that support team performance and help the organization reach its goals. These functions apply across industries and job levels.
Read more: 15 Team Management Skills for New Managers
Planning
Planning involves setting clear goals and deciding how to achieve them. Managers create step-by-step action plans and define what success looks like. Good planning helps teams avoid confusion and stay prepared when things change.
Organizing
Once plans are in place, managers organize the work. This includes dividing tasks, assigning roles, and setting up systems that help people work efficiently. A well-organized structure improves teamwork and reduces delays.
Staffing
Staffing means building the right team. Managers are involved in hiring, training, and developing people who fit the job. They also support employees with growth opportunities and fair evaluations.
Leading
Leading is about guiding the team, not just giving directions. A good manager motivates people, encourages collaboration, and solves problems as they come up. Strong leadership builds trust and keeps work moving forward.
Controlling
Controlling is the process of tracking progress and reviewing results. Managers compare actual outcomes with planned goals and take corrective steps when needed. This helps the team stay on course and improve continuously.
Types of Management
Management roles vary depending on the size, structure, and focus of an organization. Here are some of the most common types of management you will find in companies.
Read more: Top 12 Project Management Skills in Demand
Levels of Management
Most organizations have three main levels of management. Each level has a different focus, but they all work toward the same goal – keeping the business running well.
1. Top-level management
This includes roles like CEO, Director or Vice President. People in these positions set goals, make key decisions and shape the company’s direction.
2. Middle-level management
These are department heads, general managers or regional leaders. They turn plans into action and make sure their teams are on track.
3. Lower-level management
Also called supervisory or first-line managers. They oversee day-to-day tasks, guide employees, and make sure work gets done on time and to standard.
Different Management Styles
The way a manager leads a team is called their management style. Different situations need different styles. Here are some of the most common ones –
Authoritative – The manager makes all decisions and expects others to follow. Best for urgent or high-risk situations.
Democratic – The manager asks for team input before making decisions. This style builds trust and teamwork.
Coaching – Focuses on helping team members grow. Managers guide, support, and give regular feedback.
Laissez-Faire – The manager gives freedom to the team to make their own decisions. Works well with skilled and self-driven employees.
Transformational – Managers inspire and push the team to grow, take risks, and innovate. Common in creative and fast-changing environments.
Transactional – Based on clear roles, rules, and rewards. Best for routine tasks and structured teams.
Management by objectives (MBO) – The manager sets specific goals with employees and reviews performance based on results. Best for goal-driven teams with clear metrics.
Read more: Difference between leadership and management?
Essential Management Skills
Good managers need the right set of soft and hard skills to lead people and drive results. So, let’s start with the management skills definition.
What is management skills?
Management skills are the abilities that help a person lead a team and guide a project or department toward a goal. These skills are useful in every industry and become more important as you grow into leadership roles.
Here are the key skills every manager should build –
Read more: How to improve management skills?
Popular Job Roles in Management
Management careers offer a wide range of opportunities across industries. Here are common job roles at entry, mid, and senior levels.
Managerial Salaries in India
Here are the average managerial salaries for different roles. We have taken the data from AmbitionBox.
Read more: Top Skills for New Managers
How to Start a Career in Management
A career in management begins with the right mix of education, skills, and experience. Here are the basic steps to get started –
- Earn a relevant degree – Courses like BBA, MBA, or business management give you a solid foundation.
- Build core skills – Work on communication, leadership, time management, and problem-solving through internships or part-time jobs.
- Start with entry-level roles – Positions like Management Trainee or Team Lead help you learn how teams function in real settings.
- Take short-term certifications – Courses in project management, leadership, or business strategy add value to your resume.
- Learn industry tools – Get comfortable with Excel, project tracking apps, or CRM platforms used in your sector.
Read more: What is Time Management?
FAQs
What are the characteristics of management?
Key characteristics of management include –
- Goal-oriented
- Universal
- Multi-level
- Dynamic
- Intangible
- People-focused
What is management by objectives?
Management by Objectives (MBO) is a style where managers and employees set measurable goals together. Progress is reviewed regularly and performance is judged based on results. It improves accountability and alignment between individual and organizational goals.
What are the objectives of management?
Management typically focuses on three main objectives –
- Organizational goals – Profit, growth, sustainability
- Social goals – Ethical practices, environmental care, public welfare
- Personal goals – Employee development, job satisfaction, career growth
What is the best definition of management?
Management is the process of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling people and resources to achieve specific goals effectively and efficiently. It turns ideas into action by guiding work across teams and departments.
What is the importance of management?
Management is important because it –
- Brings structure and direction to work
- Improves efficiency and use of resources
- Helps teams meet goals on time
- Encourages innovation and adaptability
- Builds leadership and teamwork in organizations
