Conceptual skills involve the ability to see the big picture, think strategically, and understand complex relationships between different parts of an organization.
First-line managers typically supervise frontline employees and focus on daily tasks and operations.
Middle managers manage first-line managers and connect them to upper management. While they need some conceptual skills, their focus leans more towards translating upper management strategies into actionable plans for their teams.
Top managers are responsible for the overall direction and strategy of the organization. They need strong conceptual skills to make strategic decisions, analyze industry trends, and ensure the organization's long-term success.
Operations managers focus on the efficient day-to-day operations of a specific department or function. While they need some planning skills, their primary focus is on execution rather than broad strategic thinking.
Leading and controlling subordinates are core responsibilities of managers, particularly those who directly supervise frontline employees.
Managers must be able to lead by example, set clear expectations, and hold team members accountable for meeting goals.
Controlling involves monitoring performance against established standards and taking corrective actions when necessary.
Planning involves setting objectives, developing strategies, and creating detailed plans to achieve organizational goals.
Delegation involves assigning tasks and responsibilities to others while providing guidance and support as needed.
Effective communication is essential for managing people effectively. Managers must communicate clearly with their team members about expectations, feedback, and performance issues.
Organizing involves structuring resources (people, equipment, etc.) to accomplish tasks efficiently and effectively.
Lower-level managers in the hierarchy typically have more direct reports and spend a significant portion of their time managing and overseeing their team's activities.
Higher-level managers tend to have fewer direct reports but manage broader functions or departments. Their focus often shifts towards strategic planning, decision-making, and collaboration with other senior leaders. While they still provide guidance and direction, they may delegate more day-to-day leadership tasks to middle managers.
The other three options (Quality, Innovation, Efficiency) are all well-established building blocks of competitive advantage. Companies can achieve a competitive advantage by:
Quality: Offering products or services that are superior in reliability, performance, or features compared to competitors.
Innovation: Developing new and unique products, services, or processes that differentiate the company in the market.
Efficiency: Minimizing costs and maximizing outputs to deliver value to customers at a lower price than competitors.
People who are high on extraversion tend to be sociable, outgoing, and friendly.
The tendency of a person to get along well with other workers is called agreeableness.
Stakeholders are individuals or groups that have an interest in a company's success or failure. They are affected by the company's actions and decisions.
Stockholders, managers, and customers are all stakeholders.
Stockholders have a financial stake in the company's performance.
Managers are responsible for running the company and making decisions that impact all stakeholders.
Customers rely on the company's products or services
Individual Ethics
Moral principles and values held by individuals within the organization, influenced by personal beliefs, experiences, and upbringing, contributing to the overall ethical climate
Societal Ethics
Norms, values, and standards that are widely accepted and practiced in a particular society, influenced by cultural, religious, and social factors, providing a broader context within which organizations operate
Organizations must align their codes of ethics with societal expectations to maintain legitimacy and trust within the community
Professional Ethics
Ethical standards and guidelines established by professional bodies and associations relevant to the organization's industry, governing the behavior of individuals within a particular profession and ensuring adherence to the highest standards of practice and integrity