Discussion 1 -

• Directions: In some cases, individuals believe they are capable of managing others, but they fail to live up to the expectations of organizational leadership and their direct reports. You have most likely heard the saying: "People leave managers, not companies."

Prepare a post that answers the following:

• What does this quote mean to you?

• What kinds of information from your readings and independent research support your perspective?

• What are some examples and anecdotes to illustrate this? Feel free to draw from your own professional experiences.

• How can you use the Understanding Yourself: How Motivated Am I to Manage?

Understanding Yourself - How Motivated am I to Manage?

Instructions: Complete this instrument by identifying your degree of agreement or disagreement. Use the following rating scale:

1 = Strongly disagree
2 = Moderately disagree
3 = Slightly disagree
4 = Neither agree or disagree
5 = Slightly agree
6 = Moderately agree
7 = Strongly agree

1. I have a generally positive attitude toward those holding positions of authority over me.
2. I enjoy competition and striving to win for myself and my work group.
3. I like to tell others what to do and have no problem with imposing sanctions to enforce my directives.
4. I like being active, assertive, and protecting the members of my work group.
5. I enjoy the idea of standing out from the group, behaving in a unique manner, and being highly visible.
6. I am willing to perform routine, day-to-day administrative tasks and duties.

SCORING KEY To calculate your score, add up your responses to the six items.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Scores on this instrument will range between 6 and 42. Arbitrary cut-offs suggest that scores of 6-18 indicate low motivation to manage; 19-29 is moderate motivation; and 30 and above is high motivation to manage. What meaning can you draw from your score? It provides you with an idea of how comfortable you would be doing managerial activities. Note, however, that this instrument emphasizes tasks associated with managing in larger and more bureaucratic organizations. A low or moderate score may indicate that you're more suited to managing in a small firm, in a more flexible unstructured organization, or in entrepreneurial situations.

REFERENCE: Robbins, S. P., DeCenzo, D. A., & Coulter, M. K. (2010). Fundamentals of management: Essential concepts and applications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Discussion 2 - Part 1

Review "Three Approaches Managers Can Use to Make Decisions" on page 88 of your text and answer the following questions:

• Do these approaches make sense to you? Support your answer with your readings and independent research.

• Which of the three approaches did you use when you were required to make a business-related decision? Describe the situation. What was the impact on the organization?

Part 2

Review "How Can You Improve Group Decision Making" on page 97 of your text and answer the following:

Describe a time when you were part of a team that was assigned to make a decision.

• What were the circumstances?

• How did the process work?

• Were you in agreement with the decision? What were the results or effects of the decision?

• What would you have done differently?