Study Guide 11
Manager as Leader
Learning Goals:
- Describe the similarities and differences between being a leader and a manager.
- Identify and describe the approaches managers use to make decisions.
- Explain the concept of effective communication and the approaches managers use to
communicate effectively.
- Identify how leaders and managers work effectively with individuals and groups.
- Describe how managers effectively deal with conflict in the workplace.
- Explain how managers can negotiate effectively.
Key Concepts:
Management vs. Leadership
- Management: Focuses on processes, organization, efficiency, and stability.
- Leadership: Emphasizes vision, inspiration, change, and motivating people.
- Effective leadership leads to both organizational performance and subordinate satisfaction.
- Leadership effectiveness is influenced by:
- Positive character traits (e.g., intelligence, energy, influence).
- Behavioral approaches (task-oriented vs. people-oriented leadership).
- Leadership contexts (leader-member relations, task structure, position power).
Manager as Decision Maker
- Decision-making involves evaluating options to determine the best course of action.
- Factors affecting decision-making:
- Availability of information and time.
- Objective vs. biased judgment.
- Individual vs. team-based decisions.
- Risk-taking and accountability.
- Improving decision-making:
- Use a deliberate approach with clear criteria and data.
- Understand the limitations of "bounded rationality."
- Team decisions often yield better results.
- Learn from past decisions to refine future approaches.
Manager as Communicator
- Communication is the process of sharing information between individuals.
- Types of Communication:
- Organizational vs. interpersonal
- One-way vs. two-way
- Verbal, written, non-verbal
- Effective Communication Strategies:
- Clear and concise messaging.
- Active listening and feedback.
- Awareness of non-verbal cues.
- Ensuring alignment between intent and understanding.
Leading Individuals and Groups
- Leadership depends on influencing others to achieve organizational goals.
- Key leadership actions:
- Building relationships and networks.
- Having a strong moral compass and vision.
- Demonstrating emotional intelligence.
- Enabling others to succeed through support and empowerment.
Conflict Management
- Common causes of workplace conflict:
- Personal differences or dislikes.
- Negative workplace events.
- Managerial style and external pressures.
- Business disagreements.
- Strategies for Managing Conflict:
- Assess whether intervention is necessary.
- Encourage calm discussions in neutral settings.
- Maintain impartiality and focus on solutions.
- Engage HR if necessary.
Negotiation Skills
- Preparation is key:
- Understand goals and outcomes.
- Identify sources of power.
- Develop incentives for the other party.
- Key Negotiation Concepts:
- BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement).
- Avoiding the "agreement trap."
- Recognizing irrational commitment escalation.
- Understanding positions vs. interests (stated requirements vs. desired outcomes).
- Creating value (win-win) vs. claiming value (win-lose).