Evolving Management Positions

Management Positions are changing because the way of thinking about the role and face of management is changing and organizational behavior will follow.

While large business organizations should recognize a need for change such as reduced hierarchy of management, such restructuring can be slow to occur in a large company. I am a first-line manager employed by a large retail chain. Greater employee empowerment using technological controls already in place could effectively cut costs and increase revenue in my industry. However, my employer chooses to keep costs low by hiring almost exclusively part-time employees, and engages in minimal training, resulting in a transient nonmanagerial workforce. As low-level management I answer to a number of managers higher than myself, who often possess different goals and directives.

With an increased focus on Diversity in business, more women are being promoted to management.  Within the company by which I am employed, I appreciate the opportunity and support I am provided. However, as I watch my female colleagues climb the ranks, I realize they are expected to fill the same roles as their male peers. Corporate culture has developed the idea that a dedicated manager spends long days at work with little time spent at home. However, while a male dominated society is prepared to give women equality in the workplace, the idea of gender differentiated roles is still going strong in many households.

Now women managers are faced with the either or scenario. Can we be effective, respected managers and still enjoy a fulfilling home life? Do we kill ourselves trying to keep our home lives in order or accept failure as wives and mothers? Men have home lives as well; this is a conflict that affects all managers. Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management in Toronto proposes a concept of “Opposable Thinking”. It is described as “the ability to hold opposing viewpoints and be successful with ‘both-and’ or integrative thinking”. (Jones, George, Rock, Haddad, 2010, pg. 4) Through creative use of opposable thinking we can hope to find a balance that works for us.

The concept of balance is important for me I consider furthering my career. I am trying to be a better manager and hopefully one day a leader. Through additional schooling I hope to help compensate for my inexperience, and to engage in a competitive work environment. I appreciate all the constructive criticism I receive, and seize every opportunity even when my plate is a little full. Some human relations skills that I would like to develop are increased confidence in workplace interactions, and better conflict resolution. Better stress management would be great as well, but I think that ties back in to work life balance. As Isabelle Marcoux, Vice-Chair of Transcontinental Inc says, “I don’t strive for perfection. Some days you lose, some days you win.” (Jones, George, Rock, Haddad, 2010, pg. 10)

References

Jones, G.R., George, J. M., Rock, M., Haddad, J.W., (2010) Essentials of Contemporary Management (3^rd Canadian ed.) McGraw-Hill Ryerson