The Three-Skill Approach

Katz’ work yielded what is referred to as the three-skill approach to leadership. This approach focuses on three specific types of skills that are needed by leaders at different levels. Those three types include: technical skills, human skills, and conceptual skills.

Beyond those three categories, Katz classified three levels of leadership, including top management, middle management, and supervisory management. The key to the three-skill approach is that each leadership level requires a certain mix of the three types of skills.

The chart below shows the correct “mix” for each level of leader, based on the Katz model.

As the chart clearly shows, few conceptual skills are needed from a middle manager than from a top manager, and fewer still are needed from supervisory managers. On the human side, all three levels require a highly-skilled leader. On the technical side, top managers need the least. Middle and supervisory managers, on the other hand, need the most.

(see attachment for chart)

Assignment Overview

For this case assignment, you will fully discuss the three-skill approach to leadership, using credible sources to back your work.

Case Assignment

1. Perform research and describe a team or organization that utilizes the three-skills approach to leadership.
2. Synthesize the skill mixes exhibited at each level of your example team with the model’s suggestion for the skill mix. How does your example differ?
3. What can/should be done to change it?

Assignment Expectations

Write a 4- to 5-page paper (not counting the title page or reference section) covering all these topics, using proper APA formatting, source selection, and citation.

1 resource that must be used:

Katz, R. L. (1955). Skills of an effective administrator. Harvard Business Review, 33(1), 33-42. ( see attached)

Additional resources must be used to complete this assignment