Let’s talk about Mr. Henri Fayol. A visionary of his time, he might well have been the Jack Welch of the 1890s and 1900s. Drop his name in a management discussion, and you’re instantly in the smart club (just be cautious – it is hard to agree with everything he said; his views were shaped over a century ago). Starting our journey with Fayol is fitting – his ideas have a timeless quality.
According to Fayol, the management process involves five key activities:
- Plan
- Organize
- Coordinate
- Command (a word that might sound harsh, but Fayol’s view was more about guiding than dictating)
- Control (reviewing results, seeing what deviated from the plan, and identifying root causes)
This thought process laid the foundation for this other list by Luther Gulick:
- Plan
- Organize
- Staff
- Direct
- Coordinate
- Report
- Budget
Simple right? Returning to these basics could help managers uncover the root of many problems. However, let’s be fair – often the greatest challenge isn’t identifying the problems but finding and executing the solution. Fayol’s approach offers a framework that, despite its age, provides an initial lens through which to view contemporary management challenges.