It is recognized by academics and the community of practice that the management of people plays an important role in today’s challenging and competitive working environments. Recent people skills research expresses the need to investigate how knowledge of the concepts of attitude and behaviour can help managers to improve their managing people skills and competences. Social Psychology plays an important role in establishing what makes an effective people manager. This paper proposes what practising social psychologists consider are the attitudes, behaviours and competences (ABC) of an effective people manager. A combination of literature review and contributions from a focus group meeting with practising social psychologists provided new insights to answer the main research questions and to confirm whether the research hypotheses are valid. The results suggest that managers would benefit from adopting and applying the suggested ABC skills set for their own benefit and the benefit of those they are managing. It is suggested that managers with an ABC skills set are highly likely to make significant contributions towards business growth the organizations they work for. The outcome of this research is applicable and relevant to managers in any working environment such as Construction, IT, Finance or Consultancy. The proposed skills set of what makes an effective ABC manager can be universally applied although some modifications may be necessary to meet the needs of cultural diversities.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Literature Review
1.2.1 Attitude and Behaviour
1.2.2 Competence
1.2.3 Knowledge Gap
1.3 Main Research Questions/Hypotheses
2. Research Methodology
2.1 Method
2.2 Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1 Focus Group Meeting
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Topics
This research investigates how a deeper understanding of the concepts of attitude, behaviour, and competence—collectively referred to as the ABC framework—can empower managers to enhance their leadership effectiveness and improve overall team performance in competitive environments.
- Analysis of the relationship between employee attitudes and workplace behaviours.
- Evaluation of managerial competences required to drive business growth.
- Investigation of social psychological factors influencing team productivity.
- Practical application of the ABC model for effective personnel management.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Introduction
The role of managers has changed from just being responsible for the delivery of work and the day to day management of their team members to creating opportunities for companies to grow their business. It appears that Human Resources (HR) departments within organizations have delegated more of the day to day management of people to managers, too. This means that managers have increased levels of responsibilities for their staff. Senior managers in many companies expect their managers to make the best use of available resources. In business terms, this means delivering more in less time, with fewer people and within reduced budgets. This creates tensions at work that need to be managed effectively and appropriately. Social psychology plays an increasingly important role at work. People’s attitudes, for example, towards their managers, colleagues and their work, are subject to social influence. This affects the building of positive or negative attitudes. Organisations need motivated and productive staff to carry out their duties effectively and therefore ensure that the organisation remains profitable and prosperous. Organisations are also social places where people interact with each other such as colleagues, customers and supervisors. To get the best out of their people, they need to find new ways and means of motivating and leading their team members.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the shifting role of managers and introduces the significance of social psychology in managing attitudes and behaviours to enhance organizational performance.
2. Research Methodology: The section details the constructivist interpretivist approach, involving literature review and focus group meetings with experts, to validate the study's hypotheses.
3. Results: This chapter presents the qualitative data gathered from the focus group, highlighting the link between right attitudes, right behaviours, and associated competencies.
4. Discussion: This section explores how managers can apply the ABC framework as a catalyst to foster positive team environments and improve organizational outcomes.
5. Conclusions: The final chapter summarizes that while no single panacea exists, applying the ABC skills set significantly aids in turning negative attitudes into positive, results-oriented behaviours.
Keywords
Attitude, Behaviour, Competence, Managing People, Social Psychology, Leadership, Work Performance, Organizational Growth, Human Resources, Team Motivation, Professional Development, ABC Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores how the concepts of attitude, behaviour, and competence (ABC) can be utilized by managers to lead their teams more effectively in challenging environments.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
Key themes include the interplay between social psychology and management, the development of managerial competences, and strategies to improve team productivity and job satisfaction.
What is the central research objective?
The goal is to determine if knowledge of the ABC concepts prepares leaders to manage staff more effectively and to suggest practical ways to implement this skills set in various industries.
Which scientific methodology was applied?
The study adopted a constructivist interpretivist approach, utilizing both an extensive literature review and a focus group meeting with subject matter experts in social psychology.
What is addressed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the theoretical links between attitudes and behaviours, the impact of these on organizational competence, and provides validated recommendations for practical management.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Attitude, Behaviour, Competence, Leadership, Social Psychology, and Organizational Performance.
How does the author define the 'ABC manager'?
An 'ABC manager' is described as someone who understands and applies the interplay between their own and their team members' attitudes and behaviours to achieve corporate objectives.
What role does the 'focus group' play in this study?
The focus group provides practical, contemporary insights from psychologists that validate the literature review and bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world management application.
What is the 'knock-on effect' mentioned in the discussion?
It refers to the positive influence an individual's well-balanced attitude and behaviour can have on the rest of the team, fostering a synergistic effect and improved group performance.
Are the proposed ABC skills universally applicable?
The paper suggests that while the skills set is highly relevant across sectors like IT, Finance, and Construction, minor modifications may be required to accommodate specific cultural diversities.
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- Prof Dr Eddie Fisher (Autor:in), Yorkys Santana Gonzalez (Autor:in), 2013, The ABC Manager-How to Manage People more Effectively in Today’s Challenging and Demanding Work Environments, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/215442
