A good manager relies on the feedback of others to gain insight into projects, decisions, and personal issues. Dwight knows that without personal reflection on the feedback given to you it is not likely to encourage improvement. If for example, Jane says to you, "your need for speed in making this decision is clouding your chances of making better choices."and your immediate response was, "you may be right but speed is more important this time." and you do not go back later to reflect on the position you took with Jane you will likely make the same mistakes again. Reflecting on how it all worked or did not for you and why, will teach you valuable ideas from the experience. These ideas will make the same experience going forward easier to comprehend and better response. This technique is used in the military, law enforcement and by first responders and is often referred to as debriefing. Self-reflection is your personal debriefing step.

Dwight is anxious to see how you go about "debriefing" the course material.To this end, Dwight would like you to preparea personal memo to Ike and himself explaining why you possess the skills of a contemporary manager. The memo should include the following:

The ten skills are

1.Complex problem solving

1.Critical thinking

2.Creativity

3.People management

4.Coordinating with others

5.Emotional intelligence

6.Judgment and decision making

7.Service orientation

8.Negotiation

9.Cognitive flexibility

Skills presented by Dwight:

Skill #1- Communicate well in multiple ways, modes and listen actively to those with whom you are communicating.

Skill #2: Build trust in INDIVIDUAL relationships both locally and at a distance.

Skill #4: Collect knowledge and information about current events, technology, the business environment, the client's business, your company and consider this when making decisions.

Skill #5: Know the basics of knowledge management.

Skill #6: Develop new ideas that solve customer problems.

Skill #7: Cultivate your customers and their employees on every level of the organization.

Skill #8: Hone your Emotional IQ to a level that you not only use it to build relationships and motivate people but to communicate and negotiate better.

Skill #9: Lead and plan for change by developing a process to manage change and using it to lead change events.

Skill #10: Learn self-reflection

Directions:

oJustify five of the ten skills presented by Dwight for EC as the top fivethat are most important for today's managers. Include an analysis of the chosen skills needed in the business environment of today as well as trends for the wheelchair industry.

The five skills are:Skill#1, Skill#5, Skill#4, Skill#6 and Skill#10

oIdentify three skills that Dwight and Ike left off the list and explain why they should include them.These three skills are Good organization, Leadership and Ability to Adapt.

oOf the eight skills chosen above, select two that you believe are skills that need more development for you and two that represent your strengths. Explain the reasoning behind your choices