Executive Development Synthesis
Synthesis
Module 5-6
Subject : Executive Development
A. Summary of Report
No business or strategy is good enough to succeed without strong leadership. Executives are often referred to as leaders. There are methods or techniques engaged by executives for their development.
According to Peter Drucker, an effective decision making process must go through some basic steps. These steps will not “make” the decision – it will always be a judgement call – but if the steps are ignored, the decision is not likely to be effective nor right. The 6 steps he recommends are: 1) The classification of the problem 2) The definition of the problem 3) The specifications which the solution to the problem must satisfy (the “boundary conditions”) 4) he decision as to what is “right”, rather than what is acceptable, in order to meet the boundary conditions 5) The building into the decision of the action to carry it out and 6) The feedback which tests the validity of the decision against the actual course of events.
The in-basket technique simulates the type of decisions that would typically be handled in a particular position such as a sales manager or operations manager. It affords an opportunity to assess and/or develop decision-making skills and attitudes. To begin the exercise, trainees are given a description of their role (a current or future job) and general information about the situation. Trainees are then given a packet of materials (such as requests, complaints, memos, messages, and reports) which make up the in-basket. They are asked to respond to the materials within a particular time period (usually 2 to 4 hours). When the in-basket is completed, the trainer asks the trainee to identify the processes used in responding to the information and to discuss their appropriateness. The trainer provides feedback, reinforcing appropriate decisions and processes or asking the trainee to develop alternatives. A variation is to have trainees discuss
Module 5-6
Subject : Executive Development
A. Summary of Report
No business or strategy is good enough to succeed without strong leadership. Executives are often referred to as leaders. There are methods or techniques engaged by executives for their development.
According to Peter Drucker, an effective decision making process must go through some basic steps. These steps will not “make” the decision – it will always be a judgement call – but if the steps are ignored, the decision is not likely to be effective nor right. The 6 steps he recommends are: 1) The classification of the problem 2) The definition of the problem 3) The specifications which the solution to the problem must satisfy (the “boundary conditions”) 4) he decision as to what is “right”, rather than what is acceptable, in order to meet the boundary conditions 5) The building into the decision of the action to carry it out and 6) The feedback which tests the validity of the decision against the actual course of events.
The in-basket technique simulates the type of decisions that would typically be handled in a particular position such as a sales manager or operations manager. It affords an opportunity to assess and/or develop decision-making skills and attitudes. To begin the exercise, trainees are given a description of their role (a current or future job) and general information about the situation. Trainees are then given a packet of materials (such as requests, complaints, memos, messages, and reports) which make up the in-basket. They are asked to respond to the materials within a particular time period (usually 2 to 4 hours). When the in-basket is completed, the trainer asks the trainee to identify the processes used in responding to the information and to discuss their appropriateness. The trainer provides feedback, reinforcing appropriate decisions and processes or asking the trainee to develop alternatives. A variation is to have trainees discuss