Think. Decide. Act. Management by Neck, Lattimer and Houghton is a management book that integrates theoretical and practical methods in the delivery of the management discourse. The authors employ an unusual pedagogy in delivering the content to the reader. Through an emphasis on critical thinking, case studies and practical examples, the authors are able to delve into various aspects of management.
The Core Premise and Concepts from the Book
The authors recognize that the organization in the in the 21st century faces many challenges related to uncertain economic conditions and increased competition. In that view, the authors’ main ideas and conceptions center on the strategies for success amidst such challenges. As a result, the authors emphasize the need for critical analysis and specific managerial attributes for a successful manager in the 21st century. In highlighting those attributes, the authors adopt both practical and theoretical pedagogy in the delivery of knowledge for the learners.
Many management books have always adopted a theoretical pedagogy in delivering information to its readers. However, through a mix of real life cases, examples of how firms have successfully dealt with real life situations, the authors are able to offer a comprehensive and more practical approach. For example, the authors gave an example of how Yvon Chounard the CEO of Patagonia has successfully driven the organization through difficult economic times with great success (Neck, Lattimer, & Houghton 8). In the case the authors offers how the CEO has been able to incorporate critical thinking with appropriate managerial behavior in guiding the company towards sustained economic growth.
In addition, the authors offer wide range of strategies that manager have adopted to meet their organizational goals. The authors give a number of examples highlighting the managerial behaviors during various challenges. The specific attributes that involve critical thinking are highlighted in each case. Through this, the authors aim to point the need and importance of critical thinking skills among the managers at various organizational levels.
Finally, the authors provide detailed discussion of the evolution in management and roles of managers in modern organization. The authors integrate the two concepts in a comprehensive way, completing each chapter with questions for critical thinking regarding the content learned in the book. The content in the book are arranged such that the information in the preceding chapter provides an insightful knowledge to be expanding in the chapter that follows. Besides introduction of new elements in the subsequent chapters, the information is tied with what has been learned in the previous chapter to provide a powerful and invaluable knowledge for learners.
How the Core Concepts in the Book tie into what has been Learned in the Class
The core concept of role of managers in leading organization links well to what was learned in class about the roles of manager in organizations. Moreover, the book provides an in depth analysis of management theories such as positive psychology and systems thinking which are important concepts for any organizational manager. The overall information in the book emphasize on the role of managers, the qualities that such managers must possess in order to succeed in modern organizational environment as covered in class. The book further details the steps that managers must follow in order to solve any challenge that they face within their organization. Important role of managers such as in leading, managing change and planning and organizing as taught in class are well outlined and discussed in the text.
The Three Most Important Ideas You Personally Learned From the Reading
The three most important ideas learned from the reading are the specific behaviors of managers, role of critical thinking in management and the skills required of a manager. The book created an understanding of the importance of critical thinking skills in management. According to the book, critical strategic thinking skills have been ranked as the most important attributes that any manager must possess. These skills are important in shaping my career into becoming a competent manager in future. Through critical thinking skills, I will be able to examine challenges in my future career and make better informed decisions.
The book also discussed the various roles of a manger, for example, leading, controlling and planning. These ideas are invaluable are important as they introduce me into my future responsibilities in my career. These ideas will be employed in my future career in outlining, providing direction and controlling the decisions that will be made as a manager. Moreover, the technical, relational and conceptual skills will be employed in my career, in performance of duties such as leading operations and solving complex problems.
Overall Assessment and Rating of the Book
The book is comprehensive and detailed, providing invaluable information to learners and even experts in management. On overall, I can rate the book on 4.7/5. The organization of the content and the mix between theory and real life examples provides a unique approach towards learning in management, making the book an excellent companion for management studies. Besides providing a detailed analysis of its content, the book is exciting to read, making it easy to conceptualize its content.
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