"A man can get discouraged many times, but he is not a failure until he begins to blame someone else and stops trying." (John Burroughs)

What Management Does

The 5 Basic Functions of a Manager

1. A manager sets objectives. He decides how to attain these objectives and
communicates these objectives to the people who are needed to achieve
them.

2. A manager organizes. He identifies the tasks and decisions needed, breaks
down activities into manageable jobs, groups the units and jobs into an
organization structure and selects people for the jobs.

3. A manager motivates people by making ‘people decisions’ on compensation,
promotion and placement. He also fosters team spirit by constant
communication with subordinates, colleagues and superiors.

4. A manager measures performance. He establishes yardsticks and ensures
that each person is assessed for tasks within his control and that individual
objectives are in line with overall company objectives. He ensures that the
individual is aware of these metrics and is given the tools to achieve it.

5. A manager develops himself and others.

Training a whale

How do you get a whale to jump over a rope? You start with the rope on the bottom of the pool, and feed the whale when he crosses, then you raise it until it is above water. The same principle applies to training humans, and should be kept in mind when giving praises and setting goals to employees.

From The One Minute Manager