The field of management is incredibly innovative and all-inclusive theoretical factors, easily applicable to real-time circumstances. Impressively, management is officially certified as an art as it covers almost every aspect necessary to be referred to as an art. Hence, here you will find out about the concept nature process and significance of management and why it is regarded as an art.
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Nature of Management
Management is a procedure which leads the inadequate human and material resources together and encourages people for the accomplishment of goals of the corporation. Management is not a single-time performance but an on-going sequence of interconnected activities. The sum total of these activities is called the management process. It includes a bunch of interconnected operations or functions required to accomplish the desired business goals.
The nature and significance of management include the process as a systematic way of doing tasks. It is related to the conversion of inputs into outputs. An in-depth analysis of management can allow you to know the functions which managers perform on a daily basis.
What is Art?
Everyone is familiar with the layman meaning of art and also notice numerous examples of art in their surroundings. However, there are a few standard features involved among the sectors which are a part of the broader set known as art. Hence, before trying to understand the nature & significance of management and how management is an art, it’s necessary to know the general meaning of art.
The field of art needs a particular person to employ his or her innovation and fully implement personal skills. It implies the application of skills and knowledge for trying to achieve desired results. Hence, once basic principles are understood, you need to take it a step forward and blend your creativity.
Features of Art Involved in Management
Practical Knowledge: Art in every form needs practical knowledge; thus, learning of mere theory is not enough. It is essential to understand the practical application of theoretical principles to become an excellent painter. A person may not only be aware of different shades, colours, and brushes but also different dimensions, designs, techniques, situations etc. to employ them adequately. Similarly, a manager won’t be successful just by acquiring a degree or diploma in management, he or she must know how to apply numerous principles in real-time circumstances by operating in the ability of the manager.
Personal Skill & Authenticity: Even though the theoretical-centric base may be similar for all the artists, each of them has a personal style and approach towards their task. That’s why the level of success, achievement and quality of performance vary from one individual to another. Similarly, management is a personalized art. Each manager has his or her own ways of managing and directing tasks as per their knowledge, personality, skills and experience. That’s why he or she aims at generating something that has never been introduced before, which needs a mixture of intelligence and imagination.
Most importantly, management is also creative in nature, similar to any other form of art. It practically blends human and nonhuman resources to acquire the desired results. It tries to generate soulful music by mixing chords efficiently.
Goal-Oriented: All these forms of art are result-oriented as it looks to acquire concrete results. Similarly, management is also managed towards the accomplishment of pre-decided goals. Managers employ multiple resources such as money, machinery, materials, men and methods to advertise the growth of a corporation.
Perfection Through Practice: There is an old saying ‘Practice makes a man perfect.’ Each artist becomes more and more accomplished through continuous practice. In a similar sense, managers learn through the art of trial and error at first but the application of management principles over the years makes them perfect in the task of managing.
Hence, it is said that management is an art, so it needs the application of specific principles. It is an art of the highest order as it deals with shaping the attitude and behaviour of people at the workplace towards set goals.
How is Management an Art?
A manager is someone who handles all the management procedures inside an organization with the assistance of acquiring knowledge and skills through the study and practice of theoretical concepts and principles of management. An ample amount of literature is present in multiple areas of management that act as guiding principles and significant knowledge for all managers. There are numerous management strategies and theories advanced by the fathers of management. These principles are utilized by a manager to manage different situations in their regular managerial lives.
Also, suitable management practices, imagines, takes the initiative and be creative on these concepts. That’s why it is of utmost importance to know the nature and importance of management. Lastly, the creativity of a particular manager plays a vital part in the application of these principles in a distinctive way. Every manager has his or her personal style of management, even if the basics knowledge says more or less the same. Ultimately, authenticity is what makes management an art.
FAQs on Management as an Art: What You Should Know
1. What does it mean to describe management as an art?
Describing management as an art means it involves the skillful and personalised application of existing knowledge to achieve desired results. Just like any art form, it requires creativity, practice, and personal intuition to apply theoretical principles effectively in real-world situations. It focuses on using human and non-human resources creatively to meet organisational goals.
2. What are the main characteristics that support the idea of management as an art?
Management shares several key characteristics with other art forms, supporting this view:
- Practical Knowledge: Management requires the practical application of theoretical principles. A manager must know how to use their knowledge in real-life scenarios, not just understand the theory.
- Personal Skill & Authenticity: Every manager has a unique style of managing, based on their personality, experience, and creativity. This personal touch is a hallmark of art.
- Perfection Through Practice: The ability to manage effectively improves with experience. Managers refine their skills over time through continuous practice, learning from both successes and failures.
- Goal-Oriented: Like all art, management is directed towards achieving a specific outcome. Managers use their skills to guide resources and personnel towards pre-decided organisational goals.
3. Who defined management as “the art of knowing what you want to do and then seeing that they do it in the best and cheapest way”?
This famous definition of management was given by F.W. Taylor, a key figure in classical management theory. His definition emphasises both the objective-setting aspect ('knowing what you want to do') and the efficiency-driven, skilful execution ('in the best and cheapest way'), which highlights the artistic application of management principles to achieve optimal results.
4. How does a manager use personal skill and creativity, similar to an artist?
A manager uses personal skill and creativity much like an artist does by blending established principles with their unique approach. For example, while two managers might have the same academic knowledge of motivation theories, one might use creative incentives and personal charisma to inspire their team, while another might design an innovative workflow to improve efficiency. This ability to go beyond the textbook and develop a personal style for problem-solving and leading people is what makes management an art.
5. Why is management considered both an art and a science?
Management is considered both a science and an art because they are two sides of the same coin. Management as a science provides a body of systematised knowledge, principles, and concepts that are universally applicable. However, the application of these principles is not universal; it depends on the situation. This is where management as an art comes in. The art of management is the creative, skilful, and personalised way in which a manager uses scientific principles to solve problems and achieve goals.
6. If management is an art, does that mean successful managers are born with talent, or can it be learned?
This is a common misconception. While certain innate personality traits like charisma or creativity can be advantageous, the art of management is a skill that is primarily developed and learned. Success in management comes from the dedicated application of knowledge, continuous learning, and refinement through practical experience. Just as an artist perfects their craft through practice, a manager becomes more effective by continually applying and adapting management principles, making it a discipline that can be mastered over time.
7. Can you provide a real-world example of 'management as an art' in practice?
Consider a situation where a company is facing low employee morale. The 'science' of management might suggest solutions like financial bonuses or formal recognition programs. However, a manager practicing the 'art' of management might use their personal skills to understand the root cause. They might creatively redesign the office space to be more collaborative, introduce flexible work hours based on individual needs, or use their communication skills to personally connect with and motivate each team member. The unique, intuitive, and people-centric solution is an example of management as an art.
