WEEK 1 – HUMAN RELATIONS:

THE KEY TO PERSONAL

GROWTH AND CAREER
SUCCESS
Renante D. Dorado
MAED Student

Ronilo E. Hilario
Professor
1.4 Discuss 21st century competencies and
your responsibilities in a 21st century
organization.
1.5 Explain which outside forces can affect
organizations
1.4 21ST CENTURY SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Researchers and writers point to certain personal

characteristics and skills as being increasingly
important for workers in today’s organizations. The 21 st
century skills identified by the Partnership for 21st
Century Skills12 include a foundation of core subjects
that “prepares students, workers and citizens to
triumph in the global skills race.”
1.5 OUTSIDE FORCES AT WORK

The frequency of changes within organizations requires

that employees be open to change if they are to survive
and thrive. In 2008 the management book Who Moved
My Cheese? (on The New York Times and other best
seller lists for ten years) became the best-selling
business book ever with 22 million copies sold
worldwide in 37 languages15—thus demonstrating the
interest in openness to change.
Types of External Forces
The weakening economy led to numerous other problems:
• Stock market declines
• Corporate mergers
• A soaring jobless rate
• Concerns for home owners with mortgages
• Worries for retirees and those nearing retirement (through
declines in stock values and retirement accounts)
• Increased taxation and recession fears
• Concerns about how businesses will afford needed
infrastructure changes and technology upgrades
Examples of Two External Forces and Their Impacts

Organizational Mergers Many organizations are merging

today in an attempt to remain viable or to compete
globally. These mergers offer a challenge for both
employees and the organization, as they can affect
thousands of people in various ways. A study of the many
mergers occurring in the global banking industry
indicated that employees suffered increased job
insecurity and stress.
Technology Changes To accomplish tasks more
efficiently and compete successfully, organizations
are adding technologies that can have a profound
impact on them and their employees. The
Partnership for 21st Century Skills pointed out that
as organizations incorporate technology,
computers substitute for workers who perform
routine tasks, but they complement workers
who perform nonroutine problem solving.
THANK YOU!
For additional resources, refer to the web site for this text:
www.cengage.com/management/dalton