Your Turn to Be A
Manager
CHAPTER 1
INTEGRATIVE MANAGERIAL ISSUES
Skill Development: Becoming Politically Adept
Research has shown that people differ in their political skills. Those who are politically
skilled are more effective in their use of influence tactics. Political skill also appears to be
more effective when the stakes are high. Finally, politically skilled individuals are able to
exert their influence without others detecting it, which is important in being effective so
that you’re not labeled political.
Teaching Tips:
Personal Insights
Have students take the Personal Insights assessment in class. After students
have their score for the inventory, ask them to think about the following
comparisons:
How do you think you compare to other students?
How do you think you compare to the average CEO on Wall Street?
How do you think you compare to the average politician?
Skill Basics
If students want to be more politically adept in their organizations, they should
follow these eight suggestions:
1. Frame arguments in terms of organizational goals.
2. Develop the right image.
3. Gain control of organizational resources.
4. Make yourself appear indispensable.
5. Be visible.
,6. Develop powerful allies.
7. Avoid “tainted” members.
8. Support your boss.
Skill Application
Referring back to the Skill Basics section, it will important for the employee to
create the right image with Maria, the manager. Part of impression management
in this case involves assessing what it takes to be perceived as successful and
following through to have others view them that way. What is Jason doing that is
working? What is the employee doing that is not working? For the employee,
setting the right image includes creating the image that they create value for the
organization and that their position is indispensible.
, Skill Practice
One way to use the skill practice section would be through in-class discussion,
graded assignments (these are particularly suited for on-line students) and the
use of a student journal. For skill practice assignments that require interviews,
make sure that the interviewee understands the scope of the project so that the
students are not intrusive. Also, make sure the students ensure confidentiality of
the survey results.
Exercise #2 would be a good start for students keeping a journal through the
course of the class.
FYIA (For Your Immediate Action)
Heartland's Traditional Fragrances
To: Eric Kim, Training Coordinator
From: Helen Merkin, Human Resources Director
Re: Supervisory Training and Management Certification Program
Heartland’s business is growing and you have been asked to look into two issues related to
some growing problems. One is a training program that focuses on important supervisory skills.
Do some research and put together a list of the skills you think are most important for our
supervisors to have, together with a justification for why you think these skills are important. The
second issue is how we could help our supervisors achieve certification that verifies their skills,
knowledge, and professionalism. Two certification programs are the Certified Manager and the
Certified Business Manager. Please research each of these programs and prepare a bulleted
list of what each involves. Keep your report to one page typed.
Teaching Tip: One place to start looking for management skills is Exhibit 1-4. This
figure lays out the four functions of management – basic skills that are required of each
manager. Another good academic reference would be Katz’s three skills: technical
skills, human skills and conceptual skills. For skills that are tied to specific positions I
would suggest having students go to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website:
www.bls.gov. On this website they can check out the Occupational Outlook that breaks
down for each major job in the US demand and skills requirements. For the second part
of the assignment, students should be able to search the internet and find a variety of
certifications, some for human resources, some for project managers, and some for IT
professionals. Almost every major profession has its own certifications and information
is readily available.
, Bringing The Real World To Life
Case Application: Saving the World: Part 2
Continuing the introduction to Chapter 1, we see the challenge facing Symantec’s
employees. The task of tracking and finding ways to eliminate computer viruses can be
never ending. With employees around the globe, this company must balance out the
incredible workload of cataloging viruses, writing codes, and the danger of burning out
employees.
Discussion Questions
1. Keeping professionals excited about work that can be routine, standardized and
chaotic is a major challenge for Symantec’s managers. How could he use
technical, human, and conceptual skills to maintain an environment that
encourages innovation and professionalism among the virus hunters?
While some elements of job requirements (and motivation), depend on an
employee level in the organization and the industry, here are some general
comments. Technical skills are job-specific knowledge and techniques needed to
proficiently perform specific tasks. Finding employees who have the diverse and
highly refined technical skills needed by Symantec, challenges managers to
recruit individuals from around the globe. As he says, “If you find them in any part
of the world, you just go after them.” Using human skills, including strong
communication skills and understanding of different cultures, managers creates a
work environment where employees respect and trust management and one
another. This trust facilitates the teamwork needed to solve problems and
produce innovative products. The conceptual skills needed by every manager
can be used by managers to envision the “big picture” for Symantec and
influence and empower his employees to follow the organization’s mission. As he
leads by example, managers foster both innovation and professionalism among
the virus hunters at Symantec.
2. What management roles would Vincent be playing as he (a) had weekly security
briefing conference calls with coworkers around the globe, (b) assessed the
feasibility of adding a new network security consulting service, (c) kept
employees focused on the company’s commitments to customers?
Manager
CHAPTER 1
INTEGRATIVE MANAGERIAL ISSUES
Skill Development: Becoming Politically Adept
Research has shown that people differ in their political skills. Those who are politically
skilled are more effective in their use of influence tactics. Political skill also appears to be
more effective when the stakes are high. Finally, politically skilled individuals are able to
exert their influence without others detecting it, which is important in being effective so
that you’re not labeled political.
Teaching Tips:
Personal Insights
Have students take the Personal Insights assessment in class. After students
have their score for the inventory, ask them to think about the following
comparisons:
How do you think you compare to other students?
How do you think you compare to the average CEO on Wall Street?
How do you think you compare to the average politician?
Skill Basics
If students want to be more politically adept in their organizations, they should
follow these eight suggestions:
1. Frame arguments in terms of organizational goals.
2. Develop the right image.
3. Gain control of organizational resources.
4. Make yourself appear indispensable.
5. Be visible.
,6. Develop powerful allies.
7. Avoid “tainted” members.
8. Support your boss.
Skill Application
Referring back to the Skill Basics section, it will important for the employee to
create the right image with Maria, the manager. Part of impression management
in this case involves assessing what it takes to be perceived as successful and
following through to have others view them that way. What is Jason doing that is
working? What is the employee doing that is not working? For the employee,
setting the right image includes creating the image that they create value for the
organization and that their position is indispensible.
, Skill Practice
One way to use the skill practice section would be through in-class discussion,
graded assignments (these are particularly suited for on-line students) and the
use of a student journal. For skill practice assignments that require interviews,
make sure that the interviewee understands the scope of the project so that the
students are not intrusive. Also, make sure the students ensure confidentiality of
the survey results.
Exercise #2 would be a good start for students keeping a journal through the
course of the class.
FYIA (For Your Immediate Action)
Heartland's Traditional Fragrances
To: Eric Kim, Training Coordinator
From: Helen Merkin, Human Resources Director
Re: Supervisory Training and Management Certification Program
Heartland’s business is growing and you have been asked to look into two issues related to
some growing problems. One is a training program that focuses on important supervisory skills.
Do some research and put together a list of the skills you think are most important for our
supervisors to have, together with a justification for why you think these skills are important. The
second issue is how we could help our supervisors achieve certification that verifies their skills,
knowledge, and professionalism. Two certification programs are the Certified Manager and the
Certified Business Manager. Please research each of these programs and prepare a bulleted
list of what each involves. Keep your report to one page typed.
Teaching Tip: One place to start looking for management skills is Exhibit 1-4. This
figure lays out the four functions of management – basic skills that are required of each
manager. Another good academic reference would be Katz’s three skills: technical
skills, human skills and conceptual skills. For skills that are tied to specific positions I
would suggest having students go to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website:
www.bls.gov. On this website they can check out the Occupational Outlook that breaks
down for each major job in the US demand and skills requirements. For the second part
of the assignment, students should be able to search the internet and find a variety of
certifications, some for human resources, some for project managers, and some for IT
professionals. Almost every major profession has its own certifications and information
is readily available.
, Bringing The Real World To Life
Case Application: Saving the World: Part 2
Continuing the introduction to Chapter 1, we see the challenge facing Symantec’s
employees. The task of tracking and finding ways to eliminate computer viruses can be
never ending. With employees around the globe, this company must balance out the
incredible workload of cataloging viruses, writing codes, and the danger of burning out
employees.
Discussion Questions
1. Keeping professionals excited about work that can be routine, standardized and
chaotic is a major challenge for Symantec’s managers. How could he use
technical, human, and conceptual skills to maintain an environment that
encourages innovation and professionalism among the virus hunters?
While some elements of job requirements (and motivation), depend on an
employee level in the organization and the industry, here are some general
comments. Technical skills are job-specific knowledge and techniques needed to
proficiently perform specific tasks. Finding employees who have the diverse and
highly refined technical skills needed by Symantec, challenges managers to
recruit individuals from around the globe. As he says, “If you find them in any part
of the world, you just go after them.” Using human skills, including strong
communication skills and understanding of different cultures, managers creates a
work environment where employees respect and trust management and one
another. This trust facilitates the teamwork needed to solve problems and
produce innovative products. The conceptual skills needed by every manager
can be used by managers to envision the “big picture” for Symantec and
influence and empower his employees to follow the organization’s mission. As he
leads by example, managers foster both innovation and professionalism among
the virus hunters at Symantec.
2. What management roles would Vincent be playing as he (a) had weekly security
briefing conference calls with coworkers around the globe, (b) assessed the
feasibility of adding a new network security consulting service, (c) kept
employees focused on the company’s commitments to customers?
