Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
management
/ˈmænədʒmənt/
When referring to the process of controlling things, "management" is usually an uncountable noun (e.g., "Management takes skill"). When referring to the group of people who run a company, it can be treated as either singular or plural depending on whether you see them as one unit or a collection of individuals. In business contexts, it is often used in compound nouns, such as "risk management" or "crisis management," to specify what exactly is being controlled.
💬Casual Conversation
Your room is a disaster. We need to touch base on your time management.
stop using corporate speak, you're literally just yapping
Meanings
The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.
"Effective time management is essential for productivity."
The people who run a company, organization, or business.
"The decision was made by senior management during the board meeting."
The act of managing or directing the operations of an organization.
"She has a degree in business management from Harvard."
Examples
Your management of the budget has been absolutely flawless, Sarah.
I just can't deal with this management style anymore!
Listen, my time management is a total disaster right now.
Who do I even talk to in management about this?
I think a degree in management would really help me.
Look, management decided to cut our bonuses again. Unbelievable!
Good stress management is key to staying sane here.
Is upper management actually listening to our concerns for once?
I'm really struggling with the management of my daily schedule.
Does management know you're using the printer for personal stuff?
Collocations & Compounds
time management
The process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities.
senior management
The highest level of executives in an organization who hold the most authority.
crisis management
The process by which an organization deals with a major unexpected event that threatens to harm the organization.
business management
The coordination and organization of business activities to achieve specific goals.
case management
A collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual's holistic needs.
Idioms & Sayings
middle management
The level of management that reports to senior executives and oversees lower-level employees.
upper management
The highest level of leadership within an organization, responsible for strategic decision-making.
anger management
The process of learning to recognize and control angry impulses in a positive way.
pain management
A medical approach to reducing pain through medication, therapy, or other interventions.
crisis management
The process by which an organization deals with a major unexpected event that threatens to harm the entity.
Cultural Context
At its core, management is often viewed through the lens of corporate spreadsheets and middle-management hierarchies. However, the most critical form of management occurs within the microscopic architecture of our own minds: stress management. This isn't just about 'relaxing' or taking a bubble bath; it is a complex biological negotiation between the amygdala—the brain's alarm system—and the prefrontal cortex, the seat of executive function.
When we face a crisis, the amygdala triggers a 'hijack,' flooding the body with cortisol and adrenaline. This evolutionary mechanism was designed to help our ancestors survive saber-toothed tigers, not quarterly performance reviews. In the modern era, however, our brains often fail to distinguish between a physical threat and a stressful email. This is where the psychology of management becomes fascinating. When we consciously engage in stress management techniques—such as mindfulness or cognitive reappraisal—we are essentially training the prefrontal cortex to exert 'top-down' control over the primitive brain.
Over time, this practice leads to neuroplasticity. By consistently managing our response to pressure, we can actually thicken the gray matter in the areas of the brain responsible for emotional regulation. This transforms management from a mere set of coping skills into a structural upgrade of the human psyche. The irony is that while we often think of management as something we do to others or to a business, the most profound impact comes from how we manage the internal storm of our own biology.
Ultimately, the ability to maintain composure under pressure is what separates high-performers from those who burn out. It is the ultimate human hack: by mastering the management of our internal state, we gain a level of agency over our lives that no external promotion or salary increase could ever provide. We move from being reactive victims of our environment to proactive architects of our own mental peace.