Summary 

Let’s leverage this discussion thread to gather the concepts and content from Ch. 1 that we may need to complete our assignments and that will most benefit us in advancing our careers. Avoid reading word-for-word, and use the following questions and scenarios to guide your inquiry.

Resources 

Kinicki, A., & Williams, B. K. (2016). Management: A practical introduction (7 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education.

Instructions 

Do not start a new thread. Select one of the following scenarios, develop a response, then post the response as a reply to this discussion starter. Limit your response to 150 to 300 words, demonstrate understanding of and cite the required readings or other credible sources that you apply, and look for opportunities to engage with and learn from others

Scenarios

Scenario 1: Functions of Management 

Whether you are an active or aspiring manager of others or just trying to manage your own career and life, being aware of and actively practicing the four functions of management is a foundation for your success (Kinicki & Williams, 2016).

Questions

• List and define the four principal functions of a manager (Hint: POLC).
• How are these functions applied at your organization (or an organization with which you are familiar)?
• How can you apply each function to more effective and efficient at simultaneously managing school, career, and family?

Scenario 2: Management Levels 

As an MBA student in the School of Business, you are developing or honing your skills to lead for business excellence. An important point about leadership is that we influence others even if we are not in a leadership position (Kinicki & Williams, 2016). For example, at work, Sarah is not in a management position, but she often finds that she needs to manage her relationship with her boss and colleagues. Managing her boss requires a degree of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling to effectively establish her goals and complete her activities.

Questions

• What are the four management levels?
• In your current position at work, where are you in the four management levels?
• At that level, what are your basic management activities?
• What do you need to do to move to a higher management level?

Scenario 3: Managerial Skills 

To be good managers, Kinicki and Williams (2016) say that we need to develop strong technical, conceptual, and human skills.

Questions

• Explain each of the managerial skills.
• Considering your current job or a job to which you aspire, do you have the necessary technical, conceptual, and human skills to be successful?
• How can you apply management concepts from this course to develop or hone your managerial skills?

Scenario 4: Managerial Roles 

Managers fulfill three important roles: interpersonal, informational, and decisional.

Questions

• Explain each of the roles that managers play.
• How do you rate against each?
• How will you leverage your time and activities in the MBA program to develop your interpersonal, informational, and decisional skills?

References 

Kinicki, A., & Williams, B. K. (2016). Management: A practical introduction (7 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education.