Job Creation: The biggest Challenge for manager

I think many of the first line managers might agree with me when I say that usually it is easier to justify the salary of a worker than their own salary. This is so because a worker is doing the entire hardcore job or in other words he is the one who is directly engaged in the production of goods and services on which the existence of the company depends. Workers also believe that the first line and middle managers are only for communicating orders and in other way they are there to ‘supervise’? The same set of people who nodded their head in agreement at my statement might also be wondering sometimes or perhaps most of the time that managers are given 8 hrs to do 5 hrs job. On the other hand the workers have no relief or very little flexibility for that matter.

But the question arises Are managers meant to supervise? Let us explore the answer together. First of all it is important to understand the organisational structure of the company. Usually it is made in such a manner so that everyone is replaceable so that if any manager shifts to some other company or leaves it due to certain reasons there is someone to get into his shoes and fill the gap and so that the company is not affected severely & it functions smoothly like nothing happened. This leads to duplication of people for the same job. Sometimes it is also because new project might crop up and demand more people to be engaged for it. How impractical it is to go and start looking for fresh recruitment and train them for the job when it is to be done on priority basis? This duplication which is unwanted yet necessary sometimes divides the same work among more people. It not just reduces efficiency but it also creates among managers a feeling that they are not contributing much or their growth is paralysed or some might also start looking down upon their work and doubt its importance.

Here comes the role of upstream managers. It is their responsibility to create job for the managers reporting to them. They need to ensure that those sharing same roles must have something additional and different yet productive task so that it doesn’t become monotonous and they find certain aspect of their job as a unique element in their routine work. If a manager creates job for its junior he will earn loyalty from him. Doing job is relatively easier than creating a productive job because once the goal is set and direction given things can be achieved with hard work but deciding about the goal and ensuring all work towards the common goal is a herculean task. This call for an innovative approach and creativity in the task of managers. Once the managers understand their true role they will feel satisfied and contented and earn respect from their juniors.