Managerial Lives

Organizations are often complex and unwieldy, and many managers have difficulty in combining ideals and positive identities with the complexities and imperfections of life. They are expected to be strategic and competent, while at the same time human and empathetic. This engaging book takes a fresh look at managerial work as experienced and understood by managers. It examines the central tenets of managerial life, such as the work expectations that managers have, the significance they assign to different activities, and the difficulties that they face. It also takes a wider view of working life by looking at subordination in the managerial context. The theoretical material is supported by in-depth interviews with thirteen managers from different organizations. This book will appeal to those with an interest in management, and in leadership and identity questions in modern working life.

Using in-depth interviews with thirteen different managers, this engaging book takes a fresh look at the experiences and demands placed on managers in the modern working world, exploring both the theoretical background and a new way of thinking about management identity.

Part I. Managerial Life - Managerial Work and the Managerial Identity: 1. Introduction; 2. Management - work, identity and leadership; Part II. Managerial Life - Roles and Identities: 3. Why management?; 4. The manager as change agent, strategist and networker; 5. The manager as humanist and moral example; Part III. Management - Ironies, Labyrinths and Pitfalls: 6. Self-view and managerial ideals meet reality - managerial work in practice; 7. Feedback, ignorance and self-esteem - the ironic elements of managerial life; 8. Managerial life and forms of identity work; 9. Leadership and identity in an imperfect world.