Abstract: The role of the information systems manager as leader has evolved from that of authoritarian director to one which requires the leader to function as mentor, counselor, and coach. In order to perform these functions, the leader must learn to listen effectively, especially when the other party’s interpretation of events differs from that of the leader. This paper presents a classroom exercise which allows a student to test leadership skills as a preparatory professional seeking to practice that phase of information systems management. The setting is a typical but potentially volatile situation in which both the manager and the employee have been influenced by selective perceptions, resulting in two differing interpretations of the same scenario.

Keywords: Information systems management, Managerial leadership, Effective communication, Interpersonal relationships training

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Recommended Citation: Smith, B. E., Burch, J. R., & Miller, D. M. (1996). A Classroom Exercise for Testing the Information Systems Manger as Leader: Mentor, Counselor, Coach. Journal of Information Systems Education, 8(1), 7-10.