Question 1

Bill Bowman works in the labor relations department. One of his primary functions is to reach agreement with the labor union regarding the new labor contract. Mintzberg would put this activity in which role category?

Accepted Answer

Bill Bowman's primary function of reaching agreement with the labor union regarding the new labor contract involves making decisions related to labor relations. This activity falls under the Decisional role category as defined by Mintzberg, which includes four roles: Entrepreneur, Disturbance handler, Resource allocator, and Negotiator. Bowman is acting as a Negotiator in this case, which involves negotiating and bargaining with external parties such as unions to reach agreements that benefit the organization.

Question 2

Sanjay recognizes a need to reorganize his company from geographic regions into customer focused divisions. What skills is he using?

Accepted Answer

Sanjay is using conceptual skills as he is able to envision the new structure and understand how it will benefit the company in terms of better serving customers.

Question 3

The managerial skills least important to a top manager are ____ skills.

Accepted Answer

Technical skills are least important to a top manager because they are already assumed to have a strong technical expertise in their field. The other skills mentioned (organizational, human, conceptual, and strategic) are essential for top managers to effectively lead and manage their organization.

Question 4

Peggy Patterson works in the accounting department. One of her main functions is to determine the costs associated with each component of new sales contracts. How would Mintzberg classify the role Patterson is fulfilling?

Accepted Answer

Peggy Patterson's role involves decision-making related to determining costs associated with new sales contracts, which falls under the decisional roles category in Mintzberg's classification.

Question 5

____ skills enable a manager to visualize the most appropriate response to a situation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____ skills enable a manager to visualize...

Question 6

At the ____ level of management, conceptual skills are most important.

Accepted Answer

Top management is responsible for making strategic decisions and setting the overall direction of the organization. To do so, they need to have strong conceptual skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning. They must be able to analyze complex information and make decisions that will affect the entire organization. Operational employees and first-line supervisors, on the other hand, typically have more technical skills related to their specific roles, while middle management needs a combination of both technical and conceptual skills.

Question 7

At the ____ managerial level, technical skills are particularly important.

Accepted Answer

Technical skills are most important at the first-line supervisor level, where managers are directly involved with the day-to-day operations and need to understand the specific skills and knowledge required to perform the tasks they are supervising.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about interpersonal skills is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal skills are important at all organizational levels, regardless of one's position or job function. Good communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills are necessary for success in any role within an organization.

Question 9

A manager's ability to think in the abstract is a(n) ____ skill.

Accepted Answer

Conceptual skills involve the ability to think abstractly, understand complex ideas, and make decisions based on strategic thinking, rather than just technical or operational skills. These skills are essential for managers who need to understand and analyze complex business situations and make decisions that will impact the organization's success in the long term.

Question 10

The founder of an interior decoration firm has a reputation for being open and trustworthy in dealing with his employees. They feel free to talk to him about any problems they have. He has strong ____ skills.

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes the founder as being open and trustworthy in dealing with his employees, which ultimately leads to employees feeling free to talk to him about any problems. This points towards strong interpersonal skills, which involve the ability to communicate and interact effectively with others. The other options such as functional, conceptual, technical, and diagnostic skills are not directly relevant to this scenario.

Question 11

Which skills are most important for first-line managers?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which skills are most important for first-line...

Question 12

When Boeing CEO Dennis Mullenburg, answered questions from reporters, he was in the role of ____.

Accepted Answer

The CEO was answering questions from reporters, which is the primary function of a spokesperson.

Question 13

Which managerial skill is likely to be especially important to managers who occupy roles such as disturbance handler, negotiator, and resource allocator?

Accepted Answer

Managers who occupy roles such as disturbance handler, negotiator, and resource allocator need to have strong interpersonal skills to effectively navigate conflicts, negotiate deals, and allocate resources among individuals and teams. They must be able to communicate clearly, build relationships, and manage conflicts. Technical skills (A) may be important in certain roles, but less so in these specific roles. Diagnostic skills (B) are important for problem-solving and decision-making, but again, less relevant to these roles. Conceptual skills (C) are important for strategic thinking and planning, but managers in these roles are more focused on immediate issues. Analytic skills (E) are also valuable, but not as critical as interpersonal skills in these roles.

Question 14

Many business school professors extensively use the case method of teaching in which students are asked to solve various kinds of business-related problems. Which managerial skills are most likely to be improved by this teaching method?

Accepted Answer

The case method of teaching involves analyzing and solving complex business problems, which in turn requires strong diagnostic and decision-making skills. Students are required to evaluate information, identify problems, and develop effective solutions, which enhances their ability to make informed decisions in real-world managerial situations. Interpersonal and technical skills are also important, but the emphasis of the case method is on diagnostic and decision-making skills.

Question 15

Which of the following statements concerning the relationship between managerial skills and managers' activities is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The mix of skills required of a manager depends on the level of management at which he or she works. Different levels of management require different emphasis on different skills. Technical skills are most important at lower levels of management where managers need to be proficient in the specific tasks of their subordinates. Conceptual skills become more important as the manager rises up the hierarchy and becomes responsible for making strategic decisions. Interpersonal skills are important for all levels of management as managers need to work with people to achieve organizational goals. Diagnostic and analytic skills are important for those in the leader role, regardless of level. Therefore, option E is the only true statement.

Question 16

Nicole is learning to fly an Army helicopter. She is drawing mainly on her ____ skills.

Accepted Answer

Learning to fly a helicopter requires technical skills, such as understanding the mechanics and operations of the aircraft. Nicole would need to know how to navigate and operate the various controls and instruments in the helicopter.

Question 17

Interpersonal skills are likely to be especially important to managers who are most often called upon to perform the ____ role.

Accepted Answer

The leader role involves working with people to communicate a vision, motivate employees, and foster team building. Effective communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and coaching skills are all crucial to success in this role. Therefore, interpersonal skills are likely to be especially important to managers who are most often called upon to perform the leader role.

Question 18

Which statement regarding the relationship between managerial skills and managers' activities is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement regarding the relationship between managerial...

Question 19

Which kind of skill enables managers to take an overall view of how the parts of the organization interrelate and to think strategically?

Accepted Answer

Conceptual skills involve the ability to see the organization as a whole and understand how the different parts work together to achieve common goals. These skills are vital in managerial decision-making and strategic planning.

Question 20

____ skills, such as carrying plates of food, typing, or operating a computer-assisted design program, are needed to perform specialized tasks within an organization.

Accepted Answer

Technical skills are specific abilities and knowledge needed to perform specialized tasks within an organization, such as using technology or equipment, operating machinery, or performing scientific or mathematical tasks.

Quiz 1: Managing and the Managers Job