Unit 2 - managers, leaders and decision making

Question 1

Henry Mintzberg 6 characteristics for managers

Answer 1

1. large workloads under tight time pressure
2. managerial activities are short in duration, varied and fragmented and often self-initiated
3. prefer action driven activities
4. prefer verbal communication through phone call or meetings
5. maintain relationships mainly with subordinates and external parties - least with their superiors
6. theory involvement in the execution of work is limited though they initiate many of the decisions

Question 2

what did Henri Fayol suggest managers should do (1916)

list of 5

Answer 2

to manage is to:

• forecast and plan
• organise
• command
• coordinate
• control

Question 3

what did Peter drucker say managers should do (1944-1950)

detail list of 4 general managerial roles

Answer 3

1. set clear objectives that all staff believe in
2. find the right team for meeting objectives
3. help ensure all staff are motivated
4. managers should prepare staff for change and help staff to learn

Question 4

what are the 3 types of management styles

Answer 4

• autocratic
• paternalistic
• democratic

Question 5

what is autocratic, what are its pros and cons

Answer 5

management take all important decision with no involvement from workers
pros: quick decision making, effective when employing low skilled workers

cons: no two way communication so demotivating, creates separation between managers and employees

Question 6

what is paternalistic, what’s its pros and cons

Answer 6

managers make decision interest of the workers after consulting

pros: more two way communication so motivating, workers feel social needs are met

cons: slows down decision making, still very dictatorial

Question 7

what is democratic, what’s its pros and cons

Answer 7

workers are allowed to make their own decisions

pros: authority delegates to workers which is motivating, useful when complex decision require specialist skills
cons: mistakes made of workers aren’t expiercned

Question 8

what is the leadership style theory

Answer 8

McGregors theory X and Y

Question 9

what is McGregors Theory X manager

Answer 9

1. motivated by money
2. workers need to be supervised or they will underperform
3. workers have no wish or ability to make decisions
4. workers are not interested in the needs of the organisation
   AUTOCRATIC APPROACH

Question 10

what is McGregors Theory Y manager

Answer 10

1. have different needs are enjoy work
2. will take responsibility if trusted
3. they wish to contribute to decisions
4. poor performance is due to poor management or boring work
   DEMOCRATIC APPROACH

Question 11

the tannenbaum schmidt continuum

Answer 11

Tell - sell - suggest - consult - join - delegate - abdicates

autocratic/theory X -> democratic/theory Y

Question 12

factors affecting leadership style

Answer 12

• number of workers
• employees skills
• situation
• business objectives
• personality
• time
• nature of work
• companies structure
• organisational culture

Question 13

what are the two types of decision making

Answer 13

• scientific decision making involves using a systematic process for making decisions in an objective manner (no bias)
• intuitive decision making involves decision making on the bases of a hunch or a gut feeling

Question 14

what are the stages of scientific decision making

Answer 14

1. set objectives
2. gather data
3. analyse data
4. make a decision
5. review

Question 15

examples of internal stakeholders

Answer 15

• mangers
• employees
• shareholders
• owners

Question 16

define stakeholder

Answer 16

is an indiviudal or a group that has an effect on and by the activities of an organisation

Question 17

examples of external shareholders

Answer 17

• government
• customers
• suppliers
• local community
• creditors
• trade unions
• competitors

Question 18

what is stakeholder mapping

Answer 18

Y axis - interest of stakeholder
X axis - influence of stakeholder