A topic is frequently raised as to whether management is an art or not. Management can be viewed as an art because art means bringing of a preferred result by application of knowledge and skills. Thus, art is focused on the knowledge of how specific task can be completed.
That is, art has to do with making use of knowledge or science or of expertness in performance. This is particularly essential in management because in many cases creativity in applying the managerial efforts are required to attain the required results. At the same time, sufficient thought on individuals associated with managerial action is important and adds to the concept of the art of managing.
Art and science are complementary fields; they’re not mutually exclusive. The medical professional needs the knowledge of science of chemistry, biology, and anatomy. But brilliance in digesting the knowledge is not going to make him a great physician. He must apply his wealth of knowledge skillfully, and his skill in perceiving when and how to make use of his knowledge is crucial to his success in reducing and controlling diseases of mankind. For this reason, knowledge isn’t the only qualification. In the same way, in management, if someone gets A grade and the other gets B grade, this doesn’t mean that the former would be a superior manager compared to the latter. This is so because management can be viewed as an art and a better manager is a person who understands the way to use the knowledge in dealing with a specific issue.
Management is an Art or Not
Following are the key features of Art:
Knowledge: Art demands practical knowledge thus understanding of theory is just not enough. It’s fundamental to know practical application of theoretical concepts. A manager can not achieve success simply by getting degree or diploma in management; he or she must also know the way to use different principles in real life circumstances by functioning in capacity of manager.
Creativity: Similarly to other art, management is also creative. It brings out new situations and helps make resources efficient. Every artist possesses an element of creativity. Management is one of the most creative arts since it calls for altering the behavior and conduct of employees at the office for the achievement of certain goals. Creativity is a significant dimension in managerial success.
Personalized process: Management is personalized which means that there isn’t any ‘one best way of managing’. Each and every manager has his own method and approach based upon his understanding and the environmental conditions.
Goal-Oriented: Every art is result focused because it attempts to attain concrete results. In the same way, management is the art of getting maximum results with the least effort. Management is directed towards achievement of pre-determined objectives. Professionals use a variety of resources like men, cash, resources, machinery to achieve growth of an organization.
Excellence through practice: Every artist gets more and more efficient by way of regular practice. In a similar fashion, managers learn through trial and error in the beginning but use of management principles over time makes them perfect in the job of managing.
Skills: Despite the fact that theoretical foundation may be same for every artist, but they all have their personal style and way. For this reason the degree of success and quality of performance is different from one individual to other. For example, there are plenty of certified artists but M.F. Hussain is identified for his style. In a similar fashion, management is an art because it is also individualized. Every manager has his or her own manner of handling things according to his knowledge, expertise and character, that’s the reason why some managers are classified as good managers.
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