Standard

MSD 103 - LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING

Course Description

Familiarizes the student with the principles and methods of sound leadership and decision making. Topics include: basic leadership principles and how to use them to solicit cooperation, use of leadership to develop the best possible senior-subordinate relationships, the various decision making processes, the ability to make sound and timely decisions, leadership within the framework of the major functions of management, and delegation of authority and responsibility.

Competency Areas		Hours
Leadership Principles		Class	5
Senior-Subordinate Relationships		D. Lab	0
Decision Making Processes		P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Sound and Timely Decision Making		Credit	5
Leadership Relative to the Major Functions of Management
Delegation of Authority and Responsibility
Prerequisite:	Provisional admission
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES		15	0	0
The role of supervisory management	Discuss the need for effective management in organizations.
	List the basic skills required of managers and supervisors.
	Discuss the changing role of supervisors in terms of supervisory relationships.
The fundamentals of planning	Describe the types of planning that takes place at different levels in an organization.
	Describe the purpose of setting objectives.
	Discuss the characteristics of management by objective (M.B.O.) in terms of supervisory roles.
	Contrast different types of planning in terms of applications.
Motivation	List the elements of a demotivating work environment.
	Contrast different theories of motivation.
	Discuss motivational management practices used by American companies.
Leadership	List the characteristics of an effective leader.
	Summarize techniques used by effective leaders to enhance workplace productivity and job satisfaction.
SENIOR-SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIPS		7.5	0	0
Group dynamics and meetings	Define group dynamics in the workplace.
	Summarize the purposes of meetings.
	Compare different approaches to the conduct of meetings.
	Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of meetings.
	Discuss techniques used to make meetings more effective.
Employee counseling	Discuss the role of counseling in supervisory development in terms of counseling areas, benefits, and limitations.
	Summarize techniques used to make counseling more effective.
Disciplinary problems	Define discipline.
	Classify types of disciplinary problems.
	Discuss the role of the supervisor in handling disciplinary problems.
	Summarize the due process requirements for disciplinary action.
DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES		5	0	0
Decision making defined	Define decision making
	List pertinent factors in decision making.
Individual and group processes	Describe individual and group decision-making processes.
	Contrast individual and group decision-making processes.
SOUND AND TIMELY DECISION MAKING		2.5	0	0
Quality decision making	Discuss the relationship between decision making and organizational objectives.
	Discuss the benefits of using a decision-making process.
	Summarize the continuum of decision-making processes, from autocratic to group-participatory.
Timeliness	Differentiate between decision making and decision implementation.
	Discuss the relationship between planning, decision making, and decision implementation.
	Define the phrases internal environmental readiness and external environmental readiness as they relate to the timeliness of a decision.
LEADERSHIP RELATIVE TO THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT		15	0	0
Communications	Define communications.
	Describe the flow of communications within an organization.
	Discuss personal and organizational barriers to effective communications.
	Describe techniques to improve supervisory communications.
Selecting/training employees	List the supervisor's responsibilities for selecting and training employees.
	Discuss the implications of errors in employee selection and training.
	Describe the steps involved in determining future personnel needs.
	Discuss techniques for selecting employees for specific jobs.
	Describe the statutory provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity laws.
Control processes	Define managerial control.
	List steps in the controlling process.
	Summarize the principles of supervisory control.
	Discuss the application techniques for use of the controlling process.
	Describe techniques used to control productivity and quality.
	Discuss controlling functions relating to the enhancement of workplace safety.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY		5	0	0
Team building and managing change	Define team.
	Describe various approaches to participatory management.
	List the preconditions for team building.
	Discuss techniques for building teams.
	Describe the concepts of participatory management and the "Japanese challenge."
	Discuss Likert's contributions to the participatory management concept.
	Discuss the relationship between participatory management and the enhancement of creativity.
	Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the participatory management concept.
	Delegation of authority
	Describe why authority is delegated
	Discuss the process of delegating authority.
	Summarize the role requirements involved in delegation of authority.
	Summarize the relationship between the delegation of responsibility and authority.
	List the reasons why some supervisors fail to effectively delegate authority.

Suggested Resources

Books

Cribbin, J. J. (1982). Leadership: Strategies for organizational effectiveness. New York: Amacom.

Kirkpatrick, T. O. (1987). Supervision: A situational approach. Boston: Kent.

Mosley, D. C., et al. (1988). Supervisory management: The art of working with and through people (2nd ed.). Cincinnati: South-Western.

Muczyk, J., et al. (1984). Principles of supervision: First and second level management. Columbus, OH: Merrill.