I have had a great many experiences thus far in my life that have reflected the functions of management. During these experiences I have not always been aware of these specific functions, but after an event, I can reflect upon these various criteria and apply how to improve. I am currently not working professionally, but have the responsibility of Cub Master for a local Cub Scout group.  My example therefore, correlates with an important field trip that I am planning for this weekend, where I will be taking the scouts and their families to visit a naval aircraft carrier. The four functions discussed in the book are Planning, Leading, Organizing, and Controlling. I feel that the one function, that I have spent the majority of my efforts for this event has been the planning aspect. It is quite an undertaking to gather over twenty-five people’s information for security clearance to get them on the Naval Base. Surely the three other functions have made up aspects of this event as well. The text offers the following in regards to planning, “Because organizations exist to achieve goals, someone has to define those goals and the means for achieving them; management is that someone. The planning function encompasses defining an organization’s goals, establishing an overall strategy for achieving those goals, and developing a comprehensive set of plans to integrate and coordinate activities. Evidence indicates this function increases the most as managers move from lower-level to mid-level management.”(Judge, 2013) Though the gathering of information to get the people on the base is just one aspect if the planning, following through and ensuring that each person involved knows their role and what is required of them is also important to remember.

Now as a manger, I believe the function that would be used most often would be leading. Your fellow employees are looking to you, when problems or inadequacies arise. Rutgers University offers the following, “People look to their managers to help them define a purpose, nurture their skills and talents, and inspire results. So even though traditional management worked in the past, the ever changing workplace and the dynamics of the different generations making up the workforce require that a manager possess leadership skills.”(Shmidt, 2012) I definitely agree with the author of this article in that a purpose is a must in order to provide a path or direction for your employees to follow. Each of the four function (plus others) have their place and order of importance, but it is up to the individual to decide their order of importance to meet the various needs.