Question

Describe your use of the four management functions in the management of your daily life. When are you a manager and when are you an individual contributor?

Answer 1

The four management functions include planning, organizing, leading and controlling. In my daily life, as a home maker I plan the activities in my home including cleaning the home, preparing food, sending the kids to school and my husband to office, buying groceries, manage our finances etc. After planning I organize my work accordingly so that my family members can reach their destinations on time. My kids go to school first, so I make arrangements for them and later for my husband. I lead my family members on what needs to be done and how they should do. I used to instruct my kids on how to wear uniforms and how to have food, also my husband on helping my kids when they are getting ready to school. I control everyone’s actions by monitoring and advising whenever required. I monitor the activities regularly and control the members; e.g.: when my kids are trying to waste food or my husband tries to skip his physical exercise. I act as a manager under all these situations.

I take the role of individual contributor when I do my tasks individually like preparing food, cleaning the home, paying the bills, studying for my MBA and doing a part time job. I am not under the control of anyone and I do my job individually. I do my studies individually and also designs websites for the clients apart from my household chores. I control my own finances apart from controlling our family expenditure. I’m acting as an individual contributor during all these activities.