Ralph Bowley is a first-line manager for the Mizzill Corporation.Although Mizzill has been a fairly traditional company in the past,its top management recently decided to make greater use of empowerment.As this new approach is implemented,Ralph is likely to find that he:
A)will need to act less like a "boss" and more like a coach,advisor,counsellor,and team player.
B)may become isolated from his subordinates.
C)must continue to issue detailed instructions to give the teams a sense of direction.
D)will no longer have a position in the firm,since the purpose of teams is to eliminate the need for first-line managers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As empowerment involves giving more decision-making power and autonomy to employees, a first-line manager like Ralph will need to shift from being a strict boss who issues orders to a more supportive role as a coach, advisor, counselor, and team player. He will need to empower his subordinates by providing guidance, support, and resources to help them make decisions and solve problems. This requires a more collaborative approach that involves building trust, fostering open communication, and encouraging creativity and innovation. Option B is incorrect as empowerment should lead to more interaction and collaboration between managers and subordinates rather than isolation. Option C is incorrect as detailed instructions may restrict the subordinates' freedom to innovate and make decisions. Option D is incorrect as empowerment does not necessarily eliminate the need for managers, but rather shifts their focus to more strategic and supportive roles.

Ralph Bowley Is a First-Line Manager for the Mizzill Corporation