Accounting technicians scheme west africa
First-line or Lower Level Management
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- Functions of lower level managers
- Human skill or interpersonal skill
| 2.5.3 First-line or Lower Level Management This level of management consists of supervisors, foremen, chief clerk etc. They coordinate the work of their subordinate. This group of managers must possess technology skills so that they can assist and guide their subordinates when necessary. They do the planning of the day-to-day operations, assigning personnel to specific jobs, overseeing their activities, evaluating their performances and becoming a link between employees and the middle level management. Functions of lower level managers (a) Planning work for their section b) Directing the rank and file workers to accomplish their departmental goals. c) Ensuring better productivity d) Maintaining discipline and order 2.6 Management skills A manager must possess some of the follow skills. ab Technical skills are knowledge of and proficiency in activities involving methods, processes, and procedures. Thus, it involves working with tools and specific techniques. For example, mechanics work with tools. Similarly, accountants apply specific techniques in doing their jobs. b) Human skill or interpersonal skill is the ability to work with people. It includes the ability to communicate, motivate and influence people. It is the creation of an environment in which people feel secured and free to express themselves and to realize their potentials. c) Conceptual skill is the ability to seethe big picture, to recognize significant elements in a situation, and to understand the relationships among the elements. db Diagnostic and analytical skill is the ability to distinguish between cause and effect and to solve problems in ways that will benefit the enterprise. To be effective, particularly at upper organizational levels, managers must be able to do 65 more than see a problem. They must have, in addition, the ability to workout a practical solution to a problem. Figure 2.2: Relationship between levels of management and managerial skills The relative importance of these skills may differ at various levels in the organizational hierarchy- a) At the first-line management level, technical skills are of greatest importance. Human skills are also helpful in the frequent interactions with subordinates. Conceptual, diagnostic and analytical skills are usually not critical for lower – level supervisors. b) At the middle management level, the need for technical skills decreases human skills are essential the conceptual skills gain importance. c) At the top management level, conceptual and analytical abilities along with human skills are especially valuable, but there is relatively little need for technical abilities. It is assumed, especially in large companies, that chief executives can utilize the technical abilities of their subordinates even though technical experience may still be quite important. Download 3.37 Mb. Share with your friends:
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