What is a manager?

A number of different terms are used for “manager” including “director”, “administrator”, and “president”. The term “manager” is used more frequently in profit-making organizations such as universities, hospitals and social work agencies.

What, then, is a manager?

When used collectively the term “manager” refers to those people who are responsible for making and carrying out decisions within the system. An individual manager is a person who directly supervises people in an organization.

Some basic characteristics seem to be applied to managers in all types of organizations. They include hard work on a variety of activities, preference for active tasks, direct personal relationships.

Almost everything a manager does involves decisions. The reason for making a decision is that a problem exists. In decision making there is always some uncertainty and risk.

Managing is a hard job. There is a lot of to be done and relatively little time to do it. The engineer can finish a design on a particular day, and the lawyer can win or lose a case at a certain time. But the manager’s job is like “Old Man River” it just keeps going.

Notes to the text:

Collectively – в собирательном значении

Old Man River – название песни

Ex 2. Say what you have learned from the text about:

1) different words which mean ‘manager’;

2) the meanings of the word “management” and “manager”;

3) characteristic features common to all managers;

4) the job of a manager.

Ex 3. Translate the text “What is a manager?” into Russian.

Ex 4. a)Read the following dialogue and fill in the table given below marking the opinions of the three interviewees:

Management qualities

Interviewer: In the second part of this interview I’d like to ask each of you in turn what you consider to be the three most important qualities for a good manager. Perhaps we could hear your ideas first, Mr. Renolds.

Renolds: Well, I think that at present the most important quality is the ability to deal with other people. I know we are manufacturing industry: but I feel very strongly that we also have a great responsibility towards our personnel. Secondly, … well, let men see. Yes, in my opinion, the second most important quality must be the ability to talk to our personnel about their jobs, their future, their problems etc. To be able to relate to them, you know.

And thirdly, … well …, I suppose I’d put adaptability as the third most important quality. I think that fits in with the other two points I mentioned to give you my idea of a good manager.

Interviewer: Well, thank you for your opinion, Mr. Renolds. Perhaps we could hear your views now, Mr. Pritchard.

Pritchard: Well, I consider the present situation requires a rather different approach to the whole question of management and therefore different qualities for managers.

I believe that a good manager is one who can persuade people that his way is right. Isn’t that why he is a manager? Getting people to accept his decisions and to follow his leadership ‒ that’s, in my view, the mark of a good manager. Secondly, I feel that he should be firm with his people ‒ that’s how they’ll come to respect him.

And thirdly …, I’m of the opinion that he should be physically fit. In this day and age the pressures and strains are so great that only the fittest can survive, and those are the ones who should be the managers. Both mentally and physically competent.

Interviewer: Well, thanks, Mr. Pritchard. Could we hear what you think, Mrs. Stainton?

Stainton: Yes, certainly. I think my views probably represent a mixture or synthesis of my colleagues’ opinion. The most important quality is, in my opinion, the ability to think flexibly ‒ to find new answers and new solutions. Secondly, I feel that as managers we should be able to handle people, as I’m sure that for the company, good labor relations mean a happy and secure future. But this doesn’t mean that we should be too lenient nor too dogmatic.

Now, the third quality should be, in my view, the ability to direct and control people effectively.

Interviewer: Well, thank you all for your opinions.

Management qualities	John Renolds	Mark Pritchard	Susan Stainton
Communicative skills
Adaptability
Creativity
Sensitivity to others
Stamina
Foreign language skills
Authority
Leadreship

b) What other qualities of a manager can you add into the table?

c) Now, act out the dialogue.

Ex 5. Think of the five most important qualities for the manager of tomorrow. Discuss your choice either in pairs or in larger groups. Explain and justify the qualities you have chosen.

Ex 6. Discuss the following topics in groups:

a) The present situation requires a rather different approach to the whole question of management and therefore different qualities for managers.

b) Management is usually to be blamed for bad industrial relations.

Language development

Ex 7. Look at the pictures and guess the profession they suggest, then say what each person in that profession does.

1 ...singer - He sings songs. 6...

2 7

3 8

4 9

5 10 ....

Ex 8. Fill in with the words in brackets.

1. A(n) repairs car engines, whereas a(n) uses scientific knowledge to develop machines (mechanic/engineer).

2. A(n) is responsible for the preparation and publication of a newspaper, book or magazine, while a(n) prints them ready to be sold (publisher/editor).

3. work on beaches or in swimming pools and save people from drowning, but are hired to protect famous people (lifeguards/bodyguards).

4. work in places from which you can buy books, whereas work in places from which you can borrow books (librarians/booksellers).

5. A writes articles for newspapers or magazines, while a presents news stories on television or radio (journalist/newsreader).

6. An is a scientist who studies the stars and planets, but an makes predictions by studying the positions of stars and planets (astrologer/astronomer).

7. A informs people about the weather on the TV or radio, whereas a studies weather conditions so that the weather forecast can be given (weather presenter/meteorologist).

8. catch fish which are then sold to who sell them in their shops (fishermen/fishmongers).

Ex 9. Here's a list of adjectives describing qualities certain professions need. Read the sentences and fill in the correct adjective.

persuasive, brave, creative, patient, intelligent, polite, accurate, fair, friendly

1. Salespeople need to be to get people to buy their products.

2. A scientist has to be in order to understand complex theories.

3. Receptionists should be in order to make people feel welcome.

4. Surgeons must be very as they should not make mistakes in their work.

5. A shop assistant has to be , even when dealing with a rude customer.

6. Lifeguards have to be as they often find themselves in dangerous situations.

7. Teachers need to be very as students sometimes take a long time to learn things.

8. Judges should be and give all the evidence equal consideration.

9. Fashion designers should be very … so that they can come up with new designs.

Ex 10. Look at the following pictures and identify the professions. Then match them with the qualities given below, justifying your choice.

brave, imaginative, courageous, helpful, efficient, careful, fit, cheerful, creative, patient, original, hard-working

e.g. A secretary has to be efficient and careful in order to do her work quickly and accurately

Ex 11. The following adjectives describe people's character. Read the sentences and fill in the correct adjective.

generous, impatient, helpful, persistent, selfish, reliable, optimistic, stubborn

1. Tom tends to be quite a child; he seldom shares his toys with his friends.

2. Ann is a very worker; I can alwaysdepend on her if I want something on time.

3. Mr James is a man; he gives a lot of money to the children's hospital.

4. Joe seems at times; he never changes his mind and he always does what he wants to.

5. Seb is a(n) person; he always sees the positive side of even the most difficult situation.

6. Steve tends to be ; he becomes very annoyed when he has to wait in long queues.

7. John is ; he never gives up and always finishes what he starts.

8. Mary is very ; when I have a lot of work to do, she always lends a hand.

Ex 12. When would you describe someone as:reserved, pleasant, bossy, rude, spoilt, sensible, sensitive, shy, sociable?

Ex 13. a) What are the qualities, the advantages and disadvantages of being

a pilot ? a miner ? a fashion model?

b)Discuss with your partner, then write a short paragraph.

Lesson 8.2.3. Income: Wage and Salary. Social insurance. The advantages of a future profession

Ex 1. Look at the words for jobs: teacher, nurse, vet, journalist, designer, hairdresser, secretary, bank worker, receptionist, police officer, soldier, sailor, farmer, gardener, park keeper, waitress, photographer

What do you need to be to do the jobs? Choose from the words below.

imaginative, sociable, hard-working, intelligent, reliable, funny, lively, kind, fun, fashionable, flamboyant, sensible, sensitive, smart, practical, young, organized, fit

e.g. You need to be intelligent to be a teacher.

Ex 2. a) Read and answer the questionnaire. Tick the answer.

In your job or ideal job…

1. Do you work… ( inside, outside, in an office, at home, on your own, at weekends, in the evenings, at nights ) ?

2. Do you need to be … ( imaginative, ambitious, attractive , young, physically fit) ?

3. Do you … ( travel. need to drive, wear a uniform, work with your hands, use a tool, use a machine, make or build anything, need to type)?

4. Do you have to … ( talk a lot, meet a lot of people, have special qualifications, speak a foreign language, give orders or instructions to others) ?

b)Work in pairs and talk about your answers to the questionaire.

Ex 3. Read the text and define its main ideas.