Unit 2 - Being a Human Resource Manager

In this unit we focus on the role of the manager - yourself - and what she or he does, before we move to the manager in relation to other people. The reason is simple: if you want to be a good HR manager, you have to be able to manage yourself and to focus and reflect critically on your own practice.

We will focus on the role of the manager in general, not specifically the role of an HR manager. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, what we discuss here, applies to any manager, irrespective of whether he or she specifically deals with HR issues. Secondly, as we have said before, virtually all managers also have an HR management function. Whether you are a facility or programme manager, or a manager at departmental level, you almost always have to manage people: sometimes only one or two, sometimes many hundreds.

The unit consists of three study sessions:

Study Session 1: Unit 2 - Session 1 - What Managers Do
Study Session 2: Unit 2 - Session 2 - Different Management Styles
Study Session 3: Unit 2 - Session 3 - Managing yourself

Session 1: is a short, introductory session, in which the different roles that a manager can play in an organisation are introduced.

Session 2: introduces a number of different management styles that have emerged over time. You are asked to reflect on which approach you favour.

Session 3: looks at some practical aspects of managing yourself, from taking control and being disciplined to understanding the causes and effects of stress. It also includes as an approach to managing your time more effectively. 

Intended learning outcomes of Unit 2

To go to the next page in the course click here:  What Managers Do