This week, we look at leadership from the manager’s perspective and explore the differences looking at leadership from a leader’s perspective. Managers focus on process, procedure, and implementation of the organization’s purpose. A manager’s perspective is about getting the job done and keeping stability.
In a recent virtual management meeting the Heads of the various marketing departments of Biotech met to discuss the recent decline in sales of food supplements since Nestle and General Mills entered the market. In a meeting to get direction on how to fix the drop in sales, the question came up about who should handle the matter – the marketing managers or the owners. One manager said, “A problem like this should have a solution from the top.” Another manager responded, “I do not agree. We have dips in sales all the time and we go out and fix them using our own ideas and talent.” “I agree, managers are leaders too” another voice said. Maximillian Barney sat back in the Yonkers conference room away from the camera noting that the Americans wanted to move on their own, the Europeans held back but signaled agreement with the Americans. The rest were quiet. Maximillian pondered, “How do I see my managers – are they leaders too?”
In responding to this, please make sure that your response reflects the change in perspective (from the Classical Organization Theory to the 21st Century role of managers). Remember that in order to earn maximum credit for your initial posting, you must use course material to support your analysis and conclusions. Finally, at the end of your posting, identify a practical (management-based) challenge that you think Maximillian might encounter from other managers within the company. In other words, let’s assume that Maximillian’s response reflects the change in the role of managers, and so, now, what is some of the push-back that Maximillian might receive?

Learning Activity #2
In this Learning Activity, we are exploring the importance of effective communication. Using your current/former employer, please explain the structure of your department (or organization)….in VERY general terms. Then give two examples of POOR communication. Who was involved? What happened? What were the consequences? Then write a policy that, if followed, would prevent that situation from re-occurring. Because you are providing TWO examples of poor communication, you need to write TWO policies that would adequately address the situation. Please demonstrate that your ideas (your policies) are firmly supported by course material by explaining what the course material says about effective communication.