Management as an Art

Management as an Art

Art is the skillful and personal application of existing knowledge to achieve desired results. It can be acquired through study, observation, and experience. Since art involves personal application, some ingenuity and creativity are required to practice the basic principles that have been learnt.

Basic Features of an Art

• Existence of theoretical knowledge: Art presupposes the existence of certain theoretical knowledge. Experts in their respective areas have derived basic principles applicable to a particular form of art. For example, literature on dancing, public speaking, acting, or music is widely recognised.
• Personalised application: The use of this basic knowledge varies from individual to individual. Art is therefore a very personalised concept. For example, two dancers, two speakers, two actors, or two writers will always differ in demonstrating their art.
• Based on practice and creativity: All art is practical. Art involves the creative practice of existing theoretical knowledge. For instance, all music is based on seven basic notes, but what makes a musician's composition unique is his creative use of these notes in a manner that is entirely his own interpretation.

Why Management is Considered an Art

Management satisfies all the criteria of an art:

1. Existence of theoretical knowledge: A successful manager practices the art of management in the day-to-day job of managing an enterprise based on study, observation, and experience. There is a lot of literature available in various areas of management like marketing, finance, and human resources, which the manager has to specialise in.

2. Personalised application: There are various theories of management, as propounded by many management thinkers, which prescribe certain universal principles. A manager applies these scientific methods and body of knowledge to a given situation, issue, or problem in his own unique manner. A good manager works through a combination of practice, creativity, imagination, initiative, and innovation. A manager achieves perfection after long practice. Students of management also apply these principles differently depending on how creative they are.

3. Based on practice and creativity: A manager applies this acquired knowledge in a personalised and skillful manner in the light of the realities of a given situation. He is involved in the activities of the organisation, studies critical situations, and formulates his own theories for use in a given situation. This gives rise to different styles of management. …