MANAGEMENT FOUNDATIONS

A building with poor foundations may initially look very imposing, but it will soon develop cracks in its walls and instability in its overhead structures. Unless something is done on the foundations (where the initial work should have been done properly), there is very little that can be done to hold the building together in the long run. Management foundations support the preparation development and growth of managers. Management foundations support visible management practice.

Consider for a moment the excellent managers you know. Consider why they stand out from the rest. …list down the qualities and characteristics that make them unique…

 Your list is likely to contain words like consistent, reliable, responsible, fair, accountable, disciplined, even integrity. Management has foundations in behaviour or you may choose to use the word character. If you were to select persons for management positions, you would most likely make an initial selection of persons with these desirable behaviour traits or character.

 These “characters” can be learned. This is important because natural selection is not always the best means of selection. People can and do learn, develop and adopt favourable character, which prepare them for managerial roles.

Excerpt from the book, MANAGEMENT: foundations & functions by Allan Bukusi.