Week 2 (Drucker: Managing Oneself & Mintzberg: The Manager's Job: Folklore and Fact)

Question 1

What is an argument composed of?

Answer 1

conclusion and statement

Question 2

Define premises

Answer 2

are reasons or grounds why we should accept the conclusion and believe it is true

Question 3

a group of statements in which some of the (called premises) are intended to support another of them (called conclusion)

Answer 3

Argument

Question 4

1. “Because assault rifles have no peaceful civilian use” 2. “Canadian government should ban assault rifles”
   Which is the premise and which is the conclusion?

Answer 4

Premise is 1
Conclusion is 2

Question 5

“Mandatory drug testing violates individuals’ rights” Argument or Non-Argument?

Answer 5

Non-Argument

Question 6

“Any movie with clowns cannot be a good movie. The movie yesterday had a dozen clowns. Consequently, it cannot be good”
Argument or Non-Argument?

Answer 6

Argument

Question 7

“Does Mark drive? He will be late”
Argument or Non-Argument?

Answer 7

Non-argument

Question 8

“Mary lied because she claimed to have attended the conference, but she did not”
Argument or Non-Argument?

Answer 8

Argument

Question 9

“Mary did not attend the conference but submitted an expense claim for the conference”
Argument or Non-Argument?

Answer 9

Non-Argument

Question 10

To identify the claim, you should look for the ___

Answer 10

contestable claim

Question 11

What are the 3 characteristics of a contestable claim (“TEST” bolded)
1. The ___ (___) of the claim can be ____
2. It must be ____ (____) with _____
3. ___ ____ (“The fact is…”, “There is no doubt…) does not mean the claim is uncontested

Answer 11

1. The validity (truth) of the claim can be questioned
2. It must be justified (supported) with evidence
3. Forceful rhetoric (“The fact is…”, “There is no doubt…) does not mean the claim is uncontested

Question 12

“Employment equity legislation has made salary discrimination a thing of the past”
Contestable or not?

Answer 12

Contestable

Question 13

“A brain drain occurs when large numbers of skilled, college-educated, workers emigrate from the country.”
Contestable or not?

Answer 13

Not

Question 14

“Rewards motivate employees.”
Contestable or not?

Answer 14

Contestable

Question 15

“In economics, equilibrium exists when supply equals demand.”
Contestable or not?

Answer 15

Not

Question 16

Identifying Reasons and Conclusion
Where can you find it? What are the indicators?

Answer 16

• placed at the title, at the beginning or end of the text
• look for cue words/indicators “therefore” “in short” “consequently” “it follows” “proves that”
• conclusions come after the reasons

Question 17

What is an inference?

Answer 17

is a word/phrase that indicated that there is a logical relationship between one claim (or a set of claims) and another claim that functions as reasons or a conclusion in an argument

Question 18

Inference indicators for reasons?

Answer 18

“Because” “for the reason that R” “First, Second, Third” “given that R” “assuming that” “because” “so”

Question 19

“If free speech is a key value in our society, then we need to protect it regardless of the issue, even those we disagree with, like pornography.”
Does the statement have an inference or not? If it does, which word is it? Is it a reason or a conclusion?

Answer 19

Not

Question 20

“You should study economics rather than philosophy or English because economics is more likely to lead to a job.”
Does the statement have an inference or not? If it does, which word is it? Is it a reason or a conclusion?

Answer 20

Because - Reason

Question 21

“Censorship exists simply to prevent anyone from challenging current concepts and existing institutions. However, progress is initiated by challenging current concepts and brought about by replacing existing institutions. Therefore, censorship stands in the way of progress..”
Does the statement have an inference or not? If it does, which word is it? Is it a reason or a conclusion?

Answer 21

Therefore - Conclusion

Question 22

“Although certainty is a valuable quality, it is not to be found in science, for all scientific knowledge is based on human observation and judgment, and human observation and judgment can be wrong.”
Does the statement have an inference or not? If it does, which word is it? Is it a reason or a conclusion?

Answer 22

For - Reason

Question 23

“If free speech is a key value in our society, then we need to protect it regardless of the issue, even those we disagree with, like pornography.”
Does the statement have an inference or not? If it does, which word is it? Is it a reason or a conclusion?

Answer 23

Not

Question 24

Peter Drucker argues that we should manage ourselves to help us “cultivate a deep understanding of yourself” to enhance performance. What are the 5 things you need to ask yourself according to Drucker?

Answer 24

1. What are my strengths?
   - Feedback analysis (evaluating your performance over some time)
2. How do I perform
   - Ex. A reader or listener?
3. What are my values?
   - Mirror Test
4. Where do I belong?
   - Say yes to opportunities that coordinate with your strengths, performance, and values
5. What should I contribute?
   - What does the situation require? How can make my greatest contribution?

Question 25

Henri Fayol in 1916, says the role of traditional managers involves… Hint: 4 things (“TEST” bolded)

Answer 25

1. Plan
2. Organize
3. Coordinate
4. Control

Question 26

What did Henry Mintzberg’s study show? Hint: against Taylorism

Answer 26

Challenged the traditional view. Hist study showed that managers engage in various frequent short-duration activities, often dealing with incomplete information

Question 27

What does the manager do according to Mintzberg? (“TEST” bolded) Hint: Formal authority gives the rise to three roles

Answer 27

1. Interpersonal Roles
   - Figurehead, Leader, Liaison
2. Informational Roles
   - Monitor, Disseminator, and Spokesperson
3. Decisional Roles
   - Entrepreneur, Disturbance handler, Resource allocator, and Negotiator