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1.1 The effective workplace manager -The roles and traits approach

The study of the role of a manager has been inextricably entwined with the study of leadership as part of a leader's role (See Gardner, 1986; Grove, 1986; Zaleznik, 1977). The evolution of management beyond its place as a role performed by a leader that has instigated some of the more profound advances in the models of management. Let us now examine some of these historical developments. Blake and Mouton stated:

Flexibility, contingency, and situational management suggest there are no principles to give guidance to managing different situations. This seems to be at variance with all forms of experience, in whatever field of human endeavour... Just as the principles of aerodynamics and nutrition must be adhered to, if results are to be sound, so must the principles underlying effective managerial behaviour be adhered to. One cannot, and does not, in whatever walk of life, suddenly abandon principles because one is faced with a new situation - and, of course, every situation is new! (Blake & Mouton, 1981:2-3)

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