Topic: Processes and Practices; Managing People and Groups; Organisational Design and Development; Managing Risk and Uncertainty

A new Chief Executive Officer of a ten-year-old company tried to change the strategic direction of the company that hired him. He failed in this endeavour and was fired just after one year on the job. “He thought he could change the company through intellect alone without moving people emotionally,” a Senior Manager at the company said. Another Senior Manager retorted, though he held periodic meetings with other Senior Management Staff on this subject matter, these meetings were times when he exhibited his domineering nature. “He made radical strategic changes without bothering to get support from the people who could help execute these changes”. A storm of e-mails from employees to the Board of Directors complained of his leadership style and the CEO was finally ousted. REQUIRED

a) What do you think was the leadership style of the CEO? What leadership style could have been more appropriate? (6 marks)

b) List and explain five (5) people management skills required of managers at all levels of the Organizational Hierarchy including the CEO. (10 marks)

c) What Change Management Strategies could have been deployed by this CEO to make him succeed in his job? (10 marks)

d) Give four (4) roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors of any organization. (8 marks)

e) Mention and explain two (2) sources of power the CEO as a leader might have stood on to execute this task. (6 marks)

[Total: 40 marks]