ng with others must become a natural, continuous activity, since it involves sensitivity not only at times of decision making, but also in the day-by-day behavior of the individual. Human behavior cannot be a "sometime thing." Techniques cannot be randomly applied, nor can personality traits be put on or removed like an overcoat, because everything an executive says or does (or leaves unsaid or undone) has an effect on his/her associate. His/her true self will, in time, show through. Thus, to be effective, this skill must be naturally developed and unconsciously, as well as consistently, demonstrated in the individuals every action. It must become an integral part of his/her whole being.
As used here, conceptual skill involves the ability to see the enterprise as a whole. It includes recognizing how the various functions of the organization depend on one and other and how changes in any one part affect all the others. It extends to visualizing the relationship of the individual business to the industry, the community and the political, social and economic forces of the nation as a whole. Recognizing these relationships and perceiving the significant elements in any situation, the administrator should then be able to act in a way which advances the overall welfare of the total organization.
Hence, the success of any decision depends on the conceptual skill of the people who make the decision and those who put it in action. When, for example, an important change in marketing policy is made, it is critical that the effects on production, control, finance, research and the people involved be considered. It remains critical right down to the last executive who must implement the new policy. If each executive recognizes the overall relationships and significance of change, he/she is almost certain to be more effective in administrating it. Consequently, the chances for succeeding are greatly increased.
Not only does the effective coordination of the various parts of the business depend on the conceptual skill of the administrators involved, but so also the whole future direction and tone of the organization. The attitude of top executive color the whole character of the organization's response and determine the "corporate personality" which distinguishes one company's way of doing business from another's. These attitudes are a reflection of the administrator's conceptual skill (referred to by some as his creative ability" - the way he/she perceives and responds to the direction in which the business should grow, company objectives and policies, and stockholders and employees interests.
Back to Resources Page
Star Executive, 1234 S. Dixie Hwy, #320, Coral Gables, FL. 33146, Ph. 800-283-0743 Fax 775-254-1449 firstname.lastname@example.org
Copyright © 1999-2004 Star Executive. All rights reserved.