by Sam E. Jones

Created on: May 25, 2010

Many people see management as the ticket to higher paychecks and more respect; though this may be the case for some, it certainly isn’t for all. Also, many prospective managers tend to see management as being the one who tells everybody what to do, rather than being one of the many bossed around all day. Again, while this might actually be the case for some, it is generally not how things actually are in the real world, because unless you rise all the way to the top, you’re always going to have somebody above you as your boss.

Being a manager can be very fulfilling, but it can also be gut wrenching, anxiety inducing and a generally horrible existence, depending on the place where you work, the type of work you’re managing, the people above you, the people below you, and of course, you yourself.

The thing about management is that not everyone is cut out for it. In some ways it’s a much more difficult role than is that for the regular old worker bee. This is because people who do the work, know what they need to do, and do it or not, to whatever degree of excellence they choose. Managers on the other hand, for the most part, don’t actually do work, they manage the work of others, which in effect, means they are responsible for getting work done that they can’t actually do themselves, which means they are actually at the behest of their employees, not the other way around. It means having to figure out how to get what is requested out of the people you mange, to the degree that those above you expect. And while it occasionally means taking the credit when things go well, it also means taking the blame when things don’t.

Being a manager is tough, and not only because how you do is so dependent on so many variable that you may or may not be able to control, but because at times, managers feel as if they are given too much responsibility for the amount of control they actually have. And if that isn’t enough, they are expected to be comfortable with having a say in how much people earn, whether they get promoted or worse have to be fired. Being a manager takes a sort of self-confidence and a belief in decision making that very few people actually posses; which means that a lot of people who find themselves in management positions; ought not be there.

Being a manager is definitely rewarding when things go well, like when something is asked of you and your team, and you not only meet expectations, but beat them; or when someone who works for you goes out of their way to say things to you that might cause you to cry later in private. Being a manager is rewarding too when your paycheck does start to finally reflect the hard work, dedication and lonely hours you’ve put in to your career.

And finally, being a manager is a lonely business. You can’t confide in your boss, your co-workers and certainly not those that report to you. You can’t get too emotional; angry, sad or happy, because people will see you as being out of control. You can’t connect with anyone, because it might be used against you at a later date. All you can do is maintain your composure, motivate your crew, kiss up to the bosses and hope your family will appreciate all that you do when you come home at night.

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