| The Buffalo Zoo: “The Big Picture” Weekly Discussion – Concept of Interest View Full Description Chapter 6 Video Title: The Buffalo Zoo: “The Big Picture” (Segment 5) – Access this video through Media Quizzing in Chapter 6 Organization: The Buffalo Zoo Length: 1 minute 15 seconds Overview: The video emphasizes the importance of management in employee team member attitudes. Discussion Questions: What was the impact of the Donna Fernandez, new President/CEO at Buffalo, Zoo on employee attitudes? How does a manager motivate and encourage staff? Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 250 words. Please respond to at least two (2) other students (see forum grading rubric). Responses must be a minimum of 100 words each, and include direct questions. You may find appropriate articles at the end of each chapter, and/or identify articles through the APUS online Library. Finally, be sure that all forum discussions are answered in full, in order to ensure the best possible grade based on the work submitted. Forum Grading Rubric – See Resources Section Initial Post Due: Sunday, by 11:55 p.m., ET (Week 1 of the course only; otherwise, Thursday, by 11:55 p.m., ET) Responses Due: Sunday, by 11:55 p.m., ET I do not have access to the video. Please write about a positive experience that a good experience manager would have on her team. It should only be 275 words. Also Please respond to the student papers below. They should be 100 words each. Student 1 Donna Fernandez evidently had a tremendous positive impact on this particular zoo, as illustrated within the video. The speaker within the video describes a new sense of interest and eagerness among the employees to share their ideas and work with Donna, due to the fact that she understands the zoo business very well. It is also mentioned that because of this understanding of the various aspects and responsibilities of each department, the bar or standard has, in effect, been raised. This is prone to occur when a business or organization has been operating on the same level (and level of awareness) for a prolonged period of time. When new management arrives and begins to reveal aspects or responsibilities that might not have been previously considered, it can serve to ‘open the eyes’ of the current employees to the diversity and importance that their work actually entails. Of course, if handled incorrectly (with reprimands, accusations, etc.), this change could have the opposite effect on the team. I’m not so sure that a manager does much to motivate and encourage staff, much like a person who simply ‘manages’ the aspects of their life can do much to bring about positive change. A leader; however, can do much to encourage and motivate those whom he or she leads in pursuit of daily tasks and long-term organizational goals. I believe that it all starts with compassion and genuine care. A leader must truly desire the full potential of each individual under his or her charge, and not simply for the sake of accomplishing organizational goals, but also for the personal development and well-being of the individual. From this, most acts of motivating and encouraging your employees become instinctual, automatic and tremendously more effective. From the information provided in the video, it sounds as if Donna not only possesses good managerial skills, but excellent people and leadership skills. Landon Student 2 Karleigh 1. What was the impact of the Donna Fernandez, new President/CEO at Buffalo, Zoo on employee attitudes? When the new president/CEO Donna Fernandez started at the Buffalo, zoo the employees were eager to work with her. Donna brought with her knowledge and a new outlook on things for her employees. One of her co-workers Adair Saviola the director of development and marketing even described her as absolutely genuine. Donna is familiar with the zoo business and she understands what each department should be doing and what each employee is capable of. Her great attitude has spread quickly to her employees making them excited for the new venture with their new boss. 2. How does a manager motivate and encourage staff? A manager can motivate and encourages her staff using any one or more of a variety of techniques. A manager’s leadership style can be the most important factor in the success or failure of the organization she leads. When a new manager joins an existing team her employees may question her knowledge and present her with challenges to her authority. She can begin earning the team’s respect by demonstrating both her knowledge and her willingness to share that knowledge with them. She can also earn respect when her actions showcase her genuine commitment to the team and the larger, overall organization. Once she has earned respect she has taken the first step in the process of molding a new, more cohesive team around her leadership. Motivational techniques are many and varied. Some managers motivate through fear; this type of manager uses fear of termination or demotion to force people to act in the way they think is most productive. This type of manager does not gain commitment or engagement, only obedience. Some managers use the promise of promotion or monetary incentives. These managers also do not inspire real engagement. When people act only in their self-interest they do not become good team members. In my opinion the best managers motivate and encourage their staff by empowering them to act while offering guidance to assure that these actions are effective. They give regular feedback, both positive and negative, to demonstrate that they care about their people and want them to be successful. But the primary way that effective leaders promote engagement in their people is by modelling the behaviors they want to promote. Leading by example shows people how you want them to act and how successful it is to act that way. | |
