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Coordination – The Invisible Glue! 🧩

Is Coordination a separate function like Planning or Organizing? NO! It is the Essence of Management. It is present in every function.

Analogy: The Orchestra Conductor 🎻

  • Imagine 100 musicians.
  • Violin is great. Drums are loud. Flute is sweet.
  • Without Conductor: They play at different speeds = NOISE. 🙉
  • With Conductor: He ensures they play together = SYMPHONY. 🎶

Coordination is the Conductor.

Why is it Important? (Synergy) 🚀

Synergy Formula: 1 + 1 > 2. When departments coordinate, the total output is greater than the sum of individual outputs.

  1. Unity of Action: Everyone pulls the rope in the same direction.
  2. Resolves Conflict: Sales wants to sell cheap; Finance wants to sell high. Coordination finds the balance.
  3. Efficiency: No duplication of work. (e.g., Two people don't call the same client).

Coordination in Different Functions 🔄

  • Planning: Coordinating Master Plan with Departmental Plans.
  • Organizing: Coordinating Authority and Responsibility.
  • Staffing: Coordinating Skills with Jobs.
  • Directing: Coordinating Orders with Motivation.
  • Controlling: Coordinating Actual Performance with Standards.
The 'Essence' Debate

Some authors say there are 5 functions (Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Controlling). Koontz & O'Donnell say Coordination is the Essence that binds all 5 together. It's not the 6th finger; it's the blood flowing through the hand!

Quiz Time! 🎯

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 5

1. Coordination is considered as:

A separate function
The essence of management
Unnecessary
A waste of time

💡 Final Wisdom: "A football team with 11 star players who don't pass the ball will lose to a team of average players who coordinate perfectly." ⚽🏆

Next up: Techniques of Coordination - How do we actually do it? 🛠️

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