Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certification Practice Test

Which of the following categories did Mintzberg identify as one of the three basic skills of management?

1. Technical Skills

2. Interpersonal Roles

3. Strategic Skills

4. Analytical Skills

The correct answer is: Interpersonal Roles

Mintzberg identified three essential categories of management skills that are vital for effective leadership and management. One of these categories is technical skills, which involves the specific knowledge and abilities required to perform particular tasks and responsibilities. Interpersonal roles indeed fall under Mintzberg's categorization, where he emphasizes the importance of a manager's ability to interact and communicate effectively with others. This encompasses the skill set managers need to work with people, build relationships, and manage teams. The focus on interpersonal roles recognizes that successful management is not solely based on technical knowledge or analytical thinking but also heavily depends on the ability to engage with, motivate, and lead employees. While strategic skills and analytical skills are important in management, they do not fall under Mintzberg’s basic categories in the same way that interpersonal skills do. In summary, one of the fundamental managerial skills identified by Mintzberg relates to the interpersonal dynamics that facilitate effective teamwork, communication, and leadership within organizations.