Management Development



Management Development

Abstract

The aim of this research effort is to present a research based argument on the concept of, 'Management Development'. As such reflection would be obtained from both the academic and professional arguments on the respective process. Management development would be explained in light of leadership development. The interconnectedness between the two concepts would be deeply analyzed for purposeful insights. This is because; a long-term focus and sustainable organizational change (leadership) cannot happen without a parallel focus on short-term goals and completion of tasks (management). Without the function of staffing (management), there would be no people to align (leadership); in some situations, there is a requirement for control (management) and, in others, inspiration or motivation (leadership). Finally, some of the effective techniques for management development would also be discussed in this paper.

Introduction

The efforts I made to compose this research paper helped me to realize an important detail, that is, an existence of a direct link and interdependency between management, leadership and organizational development. Management plays a pivotal role in planning and controlling critical organizational functions. It does that by devising an effective synergy between the various organizational resources, most important of which is the human resource. As such employees of an organization should be deeply connected to pursue the charted goals and objectives of their organization. Furthermore, effective leadership is a key to attaining such reaping synergies.

An organization is mainly managed by a hierarchy of managers. Their development is occurring under the influence of the respective organizational environment. It is argued that the management development and the manner of managing the organization will ultimately affect the business and its long term sustainability. As such the subject area of management development, including its various techniques is critical for academics and professionals.

Management Development

There is a “linear chain of connections between Management Development (MD) and national economic success” (see fig. 1) (Mumford & Gold, 2006, p. 23). Management development performance is the key to the success of the organization. As such applying this micro concept on a macro level would certainly explain the assertion made by Mumford & Gold. On the contrary, if Management development is ignored there will be no deliberate and sustainable organizational success.

Leadership and management

There is a very small difference between leadership and management. Many scholars and practitioners have made an attempt to clearly describe the difference between these two fields. These concepts can best be explained in light of the various elements, that constitute each concept and what inherent relationship they maintain with each other. One of the most essential elements, that are common in both leadership and management, is that both deal with working with other people/employees (teams, groups etc) and working towards attainment of similar goals (Smith, 1998, 160). Both of these fields are separated from each other, but they go hand in hand. When an organization wants to bring change it has to work in a way that amalgamates functions of both the fields. If long-term focus of the organization (leadership) is not aligned with ...