Core Concepts
Define “efficiency”
Doing things right—maximizing output from minimum input.
What does “P” in POLC stand for?
Planning
Name 1 interpersonal role.
Figurehead, Leader, or Liaison.
Who are first-line managers?
Managers who supervise non-managerial employees.
What are technical skills?
Job-specific knowledge or techniques to perform tasks.
Define “organization”
A structured group of people working toward a specific purpose.
What’s the purpose of “Organizing”?
To structure tasks and resources so organizational goals can be achieved.
What’s a spokesperson role?
Representing the organization to outsiders by sharing information.
What do top managers focus on?
Making organization-wide decisions and setting goals.
Why are human skills important?
They help managers communicate, motivate, and work well with people.
Difference between efficiency and effectiveness?
Efficiency: how well resources are used.
Effectiveness: how well goals are achieved.
Give an example of “Leading” in practice.
Motivating employees during a team meeting or resolving a conflict to guide work forward.
What does a disturbance handler do?
Responds to unexpected problems and crises.
Compare top vs middle managers.
Top managers set strategy; middle managers translate it into departmental goals and oversee first-line managers.
Which level needs conceptual skills most?
Top managers.
Why is studying management important?
It’s universal, practical, and helps in all career paths—everyone manages or is managed.
What’s the difference between planning and leading?
Planning sets goals and strategies; leading involves motivating and influencing people to achieve those goals.
Give 2 examples of decisional roles.
Entrepreneur and Resource Allocator (others: Disturbance Handler, Negotiator).
Why are middle managers crucial in a large firm?
They bridge communication between top and front-line managers and ensure strategy is executed.
Define Katz’s 3 skills.
Technical: job knowledge; Human: interpersonal; Conceptual: understanding complexity and strategy.
List 3 challenges managers face in the 21st century.
Customer focus, technology adaptation, sustainability, social media, employee engagement, or innovation
Explain all 4 functions in sequence.
Planning: set goals; Organizing: arrange resources; Leading: inspire people; Controlling: monitor progress and correct actions.
List all 10 of Mintzberg’s roles and group them.
Interpersonal: Figurehead, Leader, Liaison; Informational: Monitor, Disseminator, Spokesperson; Decisional: Entrepreneur, Disturbance Handler, Resource Allocator, Negotiator.
Describe all 3 levels with one example each.
Top: CEO; Middle: Department Head; First-line: Shift Supervisor.
Rank the importance of skills by managerial level.
Top: conceptual > human > technical
Middle: balanced
First-line: technical > human > conceptual.