What is a manager?

• A. A manager plans, coordinates and provides the resources (people and equipment) to accomplish a set objective
• B. A manager leads a team and allocates resources for a project
• C. A manager delegates all authority to others
• D. A manager focuses on short-term tasks only

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that a manager is someone who guides a team and makes sure the right resources are used to achieve a project’s goals. Leading the team means directing, motivating, and coordinating people to work together toward a shared objective. Allocating resources means deciding how to assign time, people, and equipment so the project can progress smoothly and efficiently. This combination—directing people and distributing resources to enable the work—best captures what a manager does in practice.

The other descriptions miss aspects essential to the manager’s role. Planning and providing resources are part of the job, but without the emphasis on leading the team to execute the plan, it’s incomplete. Delegating all authority isn’t accurate because a manager retains accountability and makes key decisions rather than handing everything away. Focusing only on short-term tasks ignores the broader role of coordinating efforts and resources over the life of a project.