2.1. The Role of Management
Management is a dynamic and interactive process characterized by constant task-switching and frequent, brief interactions. Studies show that managers handle a high volume of diverse tasks, often engaging in numerous short activities throughout the day. They spend most of their time interacting with others, such as subordinates, bosses, and external contacts, and only a small portion of their time working alone. Conversations cover a wide range of topics, with important and unimportant issues discussed side by side.
Managers rarely make significant decisions or issue direct orders during these interactions. Instead, they respond to others’ initiatives and engage in unplanned activities. Their work is highly conversational, with verbal interactions being essential for gathering information, identifying problems, planning, and developing relationships. In essence, management involves a significant amount of talking and listening, making these interactions central to a manager’s daily practice. (Bright et al., 2019)