Is Management a Profession?

I get called to fix people problems and I'm really good at that. However, most often the person I'm helping has a supervisor or executive team member who has huge gaps in their own management skills. For example here are some of the deficiencies I observe:

Lack of knowledge and application of that knowledge regarding the differences in people otherwise know as personality differences

Stagnant professional development

Deficient skills in the areas of providing and getting feedback, coaching for improvement, delegating, holding people accountable, listening, etc.

Engaging in ineffective and unproductive behaviors

Poor interviewing and new employee selection knowledge and skills

Holding onto thoughts and attitudes that hurt morale and efficiency of the workplace

The question is, "Is Management a Profession?" The only answer is YES! In many professions like health care and medicine, members are continually learning new treatments, techniques, medicines, procedures, and continually honing their professional skills.

They can't neglect growth, development, and professional advancement or they will become outdated. At worst, an oversight board of professionals learns of some professional neglect and out goes their license to practice in that profession.

If management is a profession, why aren't managers at all levels of organizations constantly aspiring to improve and become better managers? Why is it that they exhibit the deficiencies I listed above? Are they not being held accountable for their professional development? Are they waiting for the company to invest in their training and development? Are they too busy working to engage in development activities?

There are some very significant benefits associated with self-development as a manager. You will notice an increase in your self-esteem because you will be developing and using more of your undeveloped potential and greatness.

You will feel like you are making progress in your life and according to Abraham Maslow that is living at the self-actualization level of motivation.

These two benefits relate directly to a person's emotional intelligence and a manager's emotional intelligence can contribute up to 40% of their success at work. Is self-development beneficial? You bet!

If you are a professional, you will seek and find the resources you need to overcome every deficiency and area for improvement that you identify. A professional invests in his or her own training and development.

As a rule of thumb, you should be investing one to two percent of your wages in professional development leading to more complete knowledge and competency development.

Wake up managers. It's time to move out and become the very best manager you can become. The resources are there. You only need to choose, change what you thought and did in the past, and begin traveling toward professional excellence. Do it now!

About The Author-- Joe Farcht is the founder and president of Leadership Advantage, Inc. His purpose for living is to develop and coach leaders, executives, managers, and supervisors to new levels of performance and success in their work and life. He is the author of the book Building Personal Leadership: Inspirational Tools & Techniques for Work & Life. Learn more at Leadership Advantage, Inc.. Please contact Joe at joefarcht@cox.net or at 602 996-1802.

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