American University of Beirut

Exam Preparation Overview

• Focus on obtaining information through keywords:

  • Define Public Administration in few words (5 keywords)

  • Emphasize clarity and conciseness in answers.

Conceptual Understanding of Public Administration

• Consider Public Administration as:

  • A process

  • A system

  • A program

Competencies in Public Administration

• Competencies defined as:

  • Abilities

  • Skills

  • Knowledge necessary for effective job performance.

• Competencies categorized in a pyramid structure:

  • Category 1: Executives and Specialists

    • High educational qualifications (MBAs, PhDs)

    • Leadership roles (e.g., public sector CEOs)

    • Key competencies: Social intelligence, problem-solving, empathy, self-awareness.

  • Category 2: Professionals

    • Higher education required

    • Specialized roles (e.g., policy analysts)

    • Key competencies: Critical thinking, communication, teamwork, technology proficiency.

  • Category 3: Skilled Workers

    • Mid-level managers (e.g., department heads)

    • Competencies: Reliability, good work ethics, problem-solving skills, cooperation.

  • Category 4: Unskilled Workers

    • Generally require less formal education

    • Roles may include manual labor or support tasks

    • Competencies: Motor skills and physical abilities.

Emotional Intelligence and Its Importance

• Components of Emotional Intelligence:

  • Self-Awareness: Understanding oneself in various situations.

  • Self-Management: Ability to improve weaknesses and develop skills.

  • Social Awareness: Understanding and interacting with others appropriately.

  • Relationship Management: Balancing professional and personal interactions.

  • Self-Motivation: Managing one’s own morale and motivations; understanding personal triggers that uplift or demotivate.

• Importance in workplace:

  • Essential for all employees, particularly in leadership and management positions.

Motivation in the Workplace

• Recognizing intrinsic and extrinsic motivators:

  • Intrinsic: Satisfaction from personal achievements and recognition.

  • Extrinsic: Benefits like salary, promotions, and work conditions.

• Understanding employee interests helps in retaining talent and enhancing productivity.

Problem Solving and Conflict Management

• Reference to Kaoru Ishikawa's Methods:

  • Fishbone Diagram used for identifying root causes of problems.

  • Seven M's:

    • Money, Management, Method, Milieu, Material, Manpower, Morale

    • Helpful in understanding sources of productivity issues.

• Essentials for all managerial levels:

  • Capability to solve problems and manage conflicts effectively

  • Innovation and entrepreneurial thinking requisite for leadership positions.

Presentation and Communication Guidelines

• Emphasize clarity and engagement in presentations:

  • Structure: Well-organized with clear headings and bullet points.

  • Design: Visually attractive and not overwhelming.

  • Content: Focused on key ideas without excessive text.

• Evaluation rubrics for presentations include:

  • Not meeting expectations

  • Meeting some expectations

  • Meeting all expectations

  • Exceeding expectations.

Final Notes

• Importance of developing knowledge, skills, and abilities tailored to specific roles within public administration.

• Critical to engage with and understand internal and external realities impacting productivity and employee satisfaction.