Discussion Questions
Each of these questions needs to be answered in 100 or more words.
Gosling and Mintzberg (2003) use the analogy of a “chariot pulled by horses.” Discuss how people are the “horses” and the role of the manager is to “pull” the “horses.” Refer back to The Five Minds of a Manager and describe how this analogy can be used to analyze how action is the major component of a manager’s job, and how the action and reflection mindsets must be combined so that “reflective thinking meets practical doing.” What flaws exist only in “action”? Evaluate the benefit of this analogy.
Question 2.
Pfeffer and Veiga state, “the key to managing people in ways that lead to profits, productivity, innovation, and real organizational learning ultimately lies in the manager’s perspective.” They also note, “a strong connection between how firms manage their people and the economic results achieved.” Mintzberg addresses “behaviors that managers engage in to do their jobs.” Analyze the levels of evoking action and how people and managers impact this.
