Facebook and The Under-Appreciated Genius of Mark Zuckerberg

Katz has identified 3 general skills with relation to management namely conceptual skills, human skills and technical skills (Daft, 2010). Mark Zuckerberg as a Chief Executive Officer(CEO) has conceptual skills because he can plan for the present and the future. Zuckerberg’s decision to partner with Microsoft in an advertising deal in 2006 within the United States and subsequently internationally in 2011 has allowed Facebook to continue to grow as a technological company (Stone, 2007). Zuckerberg has also incorporated the Bing search engine within Facebook as a step to ensure Facebook’s sustainability as users can perceive Facebook as more than just a regular social networking site (Bolm, n.d.). According to Bolm (n.d.), Bing says that a huge portion of society refer to their friends before making the decision to purchase things and this phenomenon is known as the “Friend Effect”. He acknowledges that to achieve success, one must be able to work with people as well as through them. Zuckerberg management style of having a flexible workplace demonstrates his human skills as a manager (Yulianto, 2011). His ability to lead, motivate, increase and realize the potential of his employees is seen as crucial skills for a manager. The Hackathon that Zuckerberg organizes within his company allows critical as well as creative thinking. It promotes co-operation and helps build team spirit and better social connections within employees not only with themselves but as well as with the rest of the staff (Carlson, 2008). Zuckerberg is not short on technical skills either. His ability to create applications till today allows him to take a proactive role within the development of the company (Arrington, 2010).

He plays a diverse number of rol...

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...ing a “proper” pair of shoes. His fame has not changed his personal life either. He has kept his relationship with his high school girlfriend and has not succumbed to the media’s constant invasion into his private life. His humility keeps his ego in check. Keeping his ego in check is what makes Facebook successful today. He is not shy of asking for help though his decisions have got him to where he is today. His decision to hire Sheryl Sandberg who re-organised the company proves that he is a person who is not afraid of making tough decisions but he is also capable of seeking help when help is needed (Swisher, 2008). A good manager is one who is willing to listen to others as only a fool is ever sure of himself. Above all else, he leads by example. He does things the right way and he does the right things. A place for everything and everything in it’s place.