Management – as old as mankind

Management has been in an unrecognized position until 1900 even though it is actually found everywhere, such as households, churches or governments. The reason for that unrecognized position is the lack of a theoretical basis on management, especially in ancient cultures, meaning that no one could profit from other experiences. Findings had to be discovered over and over again as the exchange of ideas and practices was not possible. The actual necessity of having to accomplish goals has led to managerial principles. Plato and Socrates have been the first ones to verbalize management as a separate process. However; there was no scheme of management thought.

In the following, I will present several examples from the past where management has been playing a crucial role for a culture in order for their development.

Egypt 

The pyramids are the best example to show how much management skills were needed to finalise such a huge project. Just think about the amounts of material that had to be collected, workers that had to be found or the entire transportation to complete this enormous task. In that case, priests or military officers were in charge and consequently, could be named one of the first managers in history. They have soon realized the value of planning and handing out detailed job descriptions. Moreover, they supported documents for every move they made. Nothing in their government happened without written testimonies.

Babylonia

The Babylonian had adopted many laws about property, real estate and trade and more importantly, have documented those properly. In their culture, if work was not done right, they would always punish the supervisor and not the team itself. In effect, they realized that managers have to see the whole process and take responsibility for the outcome of the project. Another great example for their managerial abilities is the Code of Hammurabi. It is the oldest known code of law, regulating what was wrong or what was right.

Hebrews

One great example of a leader and manager was Moses. He showed great governmental ability by making new laws or directing human relations. Additionally, Moses understood the principle of work delegation and that it made processes more efficiently and organized. 

Greece

The Greek have developed a democratic government with all necessary managerial complications. Throughout that, they realized that the maximum output was reached by the use of uniform methods. Furthermore, specialization was the order. The famous philosopher Plato stated in his laws that no man should work in wood and iron because he will not excel in neither one, meaning that we should always focus on one task and specialize ourselves in it. Socrates states that the duties of a good business man and a good general are the same namely to make subordinates willing and obedient, put the right man in the right place, punish the bad and reward the good.

In summary, since the very beginning of mankind, management has moved from family organisation, to tribes and finally to political units. Through the decades and centuries, the principle of specialization has been developed. Financial control and record keeping have been invented over the time. One example that evidences recognition of management responsibilities is the Code of Hammurabi. Not to mention the Chinese who were the first to recognize the need for methodological means of employee selection and staffing or the Greek who have provided documentation of management principles in Xenophon’s study.

I therefore conclude that management is as old as humanity. It has always been a part of us and of our cultures. Over the hundreds of years, we have further developed our managerial skills and gained great practice in it. Thanks to technological advances, we were able to share our experiences and learn from it. In our society today, it is out of question that management plays an integral role in all business-related processes.

written by: Lara von Däniken