Managers and Leaders, Essay Example

Different use problem-solving steps

Managers and leaders are faced with different problem situations in which they have to solve and therefore have to approach it with the same problem solving steps but different applications. Depending on the complexity of the problem, it might not be necessary to involve all the steps needed which bring the difference. Sometimes, they may also combine two steps into one or include their own additional step suitable for the problem at hand.

Benefits and obstacles to effective delegation

I have experienced benefits of delegation when in one of my clubs the leaders let us make our own decisions in groups. With time, we were able to gain confidence that we could make decisions without their help. During a camp out the coordinator could not contain all the groups by himself hence had to delegate some responsibilities to a few students so they would take care of the group as he coordinated other activities. Obstacles that may be a hindrance to the delegation process include managers and leaders fearing they might lose control if they give up some of their authority while some of them do not believe in the abilities of the rest to make good decisions and would rather make them instead. Marie (2008) insists that it is only when people agree to assume responsibility that true delegation happens.

Working within a team

As a team, understanding the problem-solving process is useful since members will usually have diverse feelings and thought on the same problem. Others may involve their personal feelings in a problem hence knowing the process provides guidance. As a leader, I have ensured my team is effective through facilitating open communication where everyone is able to express his/her thoughts on the issue. I also encourage creative thinking by all the members as this makes it easy to come up with new ideas for every problem depending on it nature.

Delegation process steps and effect

Delegation can be done any time when managers and leaders wish but the process can be made effective by using the steps to delegation process. Vokoun (2008) identifies five steps which he claims will ensure best result for the process. First, is to make clear or clarify what it is he/she wishes to delegate. The next is to specify the extent of the authority delegated followed by making the recipients aware about the delegation. The fourth step is to allow the participation of the subordinates in giving suggestions about the assignment and lastly is allow open feedback and monitoring for purposes of reporting. With delegation, there is assurance of better quality of services from the employees as they are motivated. As Fleming (2009) puts it, there are numerous benefits the organization derives from effective delegation which are also vital to the success of the organization.

Applied problem-solving steps

There is the time when I had to decide whether I go to a certain high school or not. First I identified my problem which was that I did not want to go to that particular high school. Then I had to analyze the problem including identifying reasons for refusal and to suggest all the options I had for my problem. The next step was to select the best alternative of which I decided to go.  This is because it was convenient for everyone in the family.  Analyzing the problem helped me to realize how many people my decision would affect and the decision turned out to be good.

References

Fleming, Robert S. (2009). Role of Effective Delegation in Professional and Organizational

Success, The Business Renaissance Quarterly. FindArticles.com. 18 Mar, 2010. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5430/is_200910/ai_n49420003/>

Marie Sager, L. (2008). Effective Delegation – A Seven Step Process. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from <http://ezinearticles.com/?Effective-­Delegation-­-­-­A-­Seven-­Step-­Process&id=981284>

Vokoun, Melissa. (2008). Delegation with confidence: five essential steps. Retrieved from <http://www.articlesbase.com/organizational-articles/delegation-with-confidence-five-essential-steps-389989.html>