What is the most challenging part of being a manager?

Question

I have to write a report for university on the subject of management. I am researching into the different styles of management, and trying to find out from managers what the hardest part of their job is? I am concentrating on management within the tourism and hospitality industy. Does anyone have any experience on information to share?

Answer 1

personnel issues

Answer 2

In my experience it was managing the people who had previously been my work colleagues (I was promoted) and making sure that they didn't take the p@%s just because they were mates. It is also hard to be continually motivating when you are having a stressful day and deadlines have to be met and so on. I always used to try and have time for my staff, even when snowed under with paperwork since how you feel can have a direct impact on the atmosphere in the office. You also have to lead by example but still make sure that people don't think that means that you will do everything. Have to be able to delegate whilst still ensuring that the job gets done to a satisfactory standard. And then there is all the preparation for team meetings, appraisals, pay reviews etc. Thank goodness I am away from it all now. Having said that, I have appreciated my managers much more since I have been back at work as a member of staff.

Answer 3

Management is like spinning plates. You have several plates, the staff that work for you, your direct report (your boss), projects, outside suppliers (including internal departments within your organisation). In a lot of cases the best you can hope for is respect. There are many types of manager, much of which can be attributed to the kind of work they do i.e sales marketing, engineering, project etc. As far as generic styles are concerned there are probably three or four. 1. Playground Manager. The worst. The one who has made supervisory level despite their faults and act as though they were managing their group in the playground at junior school. 2. Competent Managers. Who against all odds (i.e. no respect, no budget, lack of staff) seem to do a reasonable job. 3. Professional Managers. Probably but not necessarily an MBA or similar professional qualification who at least have been educated in management techniques, although not all of them can apply them. 4. Directors and Quality Management. Beg steal borrow a copy of ISO9000:2000. It is a Quality Management document but can be used as a business plan for individual departments or indeed a whole company management structure. Also beg, steal borrow a copy of "Dilbert: The World of Work" and see how NOT to do it.

Answer 4

People Mgt is the hardest part of my job - so many personalities, so many situations. Its very easy to become personally involved with your people, especially if you care! I would say another part would be time mgt - its vital that you plan your time or you end up with NO time for you. I use a To Do list (do it at the end of the day as it helps me switch off, go home and relax @ home - then I'm ready for the nxt day) and this really helps me plan, manage and organise - especially if I have various meetings thru the day.

Answer 5

As an ex manager now retired the biggest problems were university graduates who thought all the theory they had been taught actually would help them .Not so, there is no substitute for being on the job today's solution may well be tomorrows problem.

Answer 6

managing in general!

Answer 7

employees like me who waist the whole day on answers.

Answer 8

remembering that people are not annoying they are just interesting and challenging.

Answer 9

oh wat kinda question is that!? its simple, being made fun of by ur employ!