Final answer:
Planning is considered the first function of management and involves setting achievable and appropriate goals and determining how to accomplish them. It's crucial to how leadership influences employee participation and motivation towards meeting these objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first function of management is often referred to as planning. Planning is the process of determining the organization's objectives and deciding how to accomplish them. In order to achieve these goals, it is essential that they are both achievable and appropriate. This involves strategic foresight to set goals that are attainable with the resources available and allows the organization to focus on effective ways to reach those goals.
In the context of Management and Organizational Structure, planning involves not only setting goals but also understanding how to lead and motivate employees to fulfill them. Drawing on Douglas McGregor's work, we can see that different management styles, such as Theory X and Theory Y, can influence the effectiveness of planning within an organization.
Theory X managers might adopt a more authoritative approach to ensure that employees follow the plan closely, while Theory Y managers might encourage employee participation in the planning process.