Let’s begin by briefly defining the terms manager and organization. First, the most notable characteristic of managers is that they get things done through other people. A manager is an individual who achieves goals through other people. They make decisions, allocate resources, and direct the activities of others to attain goals. Managers are sometimes called administrators, especially in nonprofit organizations.

They do their work in an organization, which is a consciously coordinated social unit composed of two or more people, that functions on a relatively continuous basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals. By this definition, manufacturing and service firms are organizations, and so are schools; hospitals; churches; military units; nonprofits; police departments; and local, state, and federal government agencies. More than ever, new hires and other employees are placed into management positions without sufficient management training or informed experience.

The more you can learn about people and how to manage them, the better prepared you will be to be the right management candidate. OB will help you get there.