Henry Mintzberg, a prominent management thinker from the 1970s to the present, has consistently advocated for the practical training of managers in real management experiences. The management theory of Henry Mintzberg basics are that management skills cannot be taught in a classroom, but can only be enhanced through authentic experiences.

Henry Mintzberg theory also includes breaking down workplace organization, management roles and management responsibilities to promote clear understanding of these sometimes complex concepts. Mintzberg's basic management theories are designed to be of use to working managers who want to improve their management skills and their understanding of how work is organized.

When gathering information about Henry Mintzberg theory, do the following:

1. Learn about Mintzberg's coordination mechanisms for workplace organization;

2. Consider the roles of the manager in Mintzberg theory;

3. Consult Mintzberg's writings and words for more detail.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use the management theory of Henry Mintzberg to map organizational structure and work

Henry Mintzberg discusses seven different forms of business organization, and six components that characterize all organizations. Henry Mintzberg's theory of organizational structure also breaks organizations' work down into six coordination mechanisms, illustrating how distinct tasks are performed and then coordinated to accomplish goals. Viewing work and organization as sets of distinct parts can help you understand where your business is operating effectively, and where, specifically, your business may be experiencing trouble.

I recommend: Visit 12manage to read about Henry Mintzberg's theories of organizational configurations and composition. ProvenModels offers a clear discussion of Mintzberg's six coordination mechanisms, as well as a conceptual map.

Understand the role of the manager in Henry Mintzberg theory

The management theory of Henry Mintzberg also breaks down the manager's tasks into three areas: interpersonal, information processing and decision making. Managers' various roles, such as serving as a leader, a spokesman and a resource allocator, fit into one of these three areas of activity. Understanding the tasks you perform as a manager and where they fit in your organization can help you more effectively fulfill all of the various roles of a business leader.

I recommend: Read about the three main types of management activity, as well as other ways in which the management theory of Henry Mintzberg addresses managers' work, in a Goliath article. Check out the chart of management activities and roles, as defined by Mintzberg, at the Business Open Learning Archive.

Read about the management theory of Henry Mintzberg in current and past publications

The Mintzberg theory of management continues to evolve as Henry Mintzberg does more work with active managers and businesspeople, as well as in the academy. Keeping up to date with Mintzberg's work can help you stay on the cutting edge of business management as well. Mintzberg's website provides comprehensive information about his past and ongoing publications.

I recommend: Visit Henry Mintzberg's personal web page to view the complete list of his articles and books and to read in more detail about the various facets of his management theories. For a good summary of his basic beliefs about management, spoken in his own words, Henry Mintzberg's interview with CNN.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Henry Mintzberg advocates a basic management theory that is designed to be practiced and experiential. Because Mintzberg's theory is sometimes considered to be outside of the formal academy, a university course on management theories may or may not include the large body of work by Henry Mintzberg.

Mintzberg's theory stems from observations of managers actually managing - not theories developed in the academic environment - and he challenges traditional management theory by focusing on the office to the classroom. Due to his unconventional beliefs, it is common to hear Henry Mintzberg referred to as a rebel and an innovative influence within the business community.

The management theory of Henry Mintzberg states that managers learn how to manage from experience in the workplace - not in a classroom that focuses on analysis and technique. He believes MBA programs should require work experience, so executives improve their managing abilities through application. Then managers learn to value human skills more than a taught system. When learning applies an actual event, a unique management style develops to fit your organization. When shifting managerial practices to follow the Henry Mintzberg theory, consider the following:

1. Search for available information regarding the Mintzberg theory, so you have a base of understanding.

2. Learn from experiences in the workplace and examine your experiences with a Mintzberg theory perspective.

3. Develop a unique management style that is appropriate for success in your organization, and begin Mintzberg theory application.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read articles and books authored by Henry Mintzberg

MBA programs do not teach the management theory of Henry Mintzberg, but you have the opportunity to educate yourself. Henry Mintzberg has written numerous articles and books that challenge basic management theories and provide detailed outlines of his theory. Take time to read articles and books penned by Henry Mintzberg and revolutionize the way your company operates.

I recommend: Explore Henry Mintzberg's website, read his articles and view a complete listing of books written by Henry Mintzberg. Review a comparison of a typical Masters in Business Administration and a degree from the International Masters Program in Practicing Management co-founded by Mintzberg.

Observe and explore areas to utilize Mintzberg's theory

Mintzberg's theory supports the belief that the workplace is a classroom and encourages experiential learning. In fact, the basis of his theory begins with observations of people actually managing. His theories have a strong foundation and you must have the creativity to develop a style suited for your business.

I recommend: Take time to observe how your managers manage. How are they leading employees? Do they employ a team effort? WeMentor offers a short quiz to evaluate operation and management styles. SuccessFactors has a variety of management tools to further analyze your managers.

Apply the Mintzberg theory in your management

Mintzberg has definitive, yet flexible beliefs regarding managers and management. He sites ten roles managers use concurrently and combines these roles into three interpersonal categories to represent different managerial levels in an organization. Given the number of roles these leaders play your business, it is important to dedicate the time for improvement.

I recommend: For a program that directly assists with manager development, check out CoachingOurselves International, a manager development program created by Henry Mintzberg and Phil LeNir. Frank Lee Associates offers seminars and individualized programs to train leaders who focus on people and the organization.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There is no right or wrong when applying the Henry Mintzberg management theory. It has a firm foundation regarding manager development, yet it is flexible enough to adjust to your individual business.

Henry Mintzberg, a management theorist whose concepts are relevant even today, believed the only way for an individual in a role of leadership to be successful and productive is for that person to learn through experience, rather than simply obtaining a degree. He developed several theories and organizations with the purpose of assisting those in the management world in becoming the best they can be, regardless of the challenges they face.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Organizational configurations

Henry Mintzberg believed that successful management starts with six key organizational setups of a company. These configurations are: Simple Structure, Machine Bureaucracy, Professional Organization, Division Organization, Ad-hocracy, Idealistic Organization and Political.

I recommend: 12manage elaborates on each of the six organizational configurations.

Coordination Mechanisms

In addition to the organizational system, Mintzberg defined six coordination mechanisms that are necessary to successfully complete a task. Among them are mutual adjustment, direct supervision and the standardization of various aspects of the project.

I recommend: Visit Proven Models for an elaboration on each of the coordination mechanisms.

Managerial roles

Mintzberg defined several different types of managerial roles and the activities associated with each role. Mintzberg believed that, as a manager enacts each required role, those roles will begin to come together cohesively, providing overall ability to evaluate a manager's success.

I recommend: The Business Open Learning Archive explains each of Mintzberg's managerial roles and associated activities

IMPM

IMPM stands for International Masters Program in Practicing Management. This is a management training and degree program created by Henry Mintzberg, and taught all over the world, that focuses on providing education through experience rather than simply through the text of a book.

I recommend: Visit the International Masters Program in Practicing Management website to obtain more information.

ALP

ALP stands for Advanced Leadership Program, a program developed by Mintzberg as a subset to IMPM. With ALP, an executive team brings a strategic problem to an ALP facility and utilizes the ALP resources to help solve the problem in a viable way.

I recommend: Learn more about Henry Mintzberg's Advanced Leadership Program on the ALP website.

Coaching Ourselves

Coaching Ourselves is another subset program developed out of IMPM. Instead of a degree program targeted at up and comers, Coaching Ourselves focuses on training those already in management positions to help them become better at what they do.

I recommend: Read more about the Coaching Ourselves approach.