Journal

  

Create a Learning Journal, a place where you collect your thoughts and provide your reflections on topics related to Organizational Behavior. The Learning Journal should contain:

• Answers to      at least three (3) of the Learning Journal questions or topics found at      the end of each of Modules 1-4.
• You will      have a minimum of 12 entries (three (3) per module).
• Each entry      should be 100-250 words.
• Clearly      identify which questions you are answering by module and topic. (TIP: Copy      and paste the questions you are answering into your online journal.)
• If you use      outside sources beyond the ones mentioned in the journal prompts, or if      you use direct quotations from the prompts, you will need to cite the      sources using APA format.
• Just as in      the Final Project for this course, if you mention a current or previous      employer or co-worker/manager in your journal, please change the name(s).
• Additional      notes or reflections (optional)

Unlike other assignments you may have had in other college courses, this journal can be informally written. It is perfectly acceptable, even encouraged, to say “I” or “we” in this assignment. Parts of the journal may even be hand-written or drawn (flow charts, mind maps, etc.); if you choose to do this for parts of your journal, you can use photographs of handwritten material.

In your Learning Journal, reflect on at least three of the questions or topics below

• Answers to      at least three (3) of the Learning Journal questions or topics found at      the end of each of Modules 1-4.
• You will have      a minimum of 12 entries (three (3) per module).

Module 1: Introduction to Organizational Behavior

· How can studying OB (Organizational Behavior) help you to be a more effective manager?

· Four behavioral sciences contribute to the understanding of OB: psychology, social psychology, sociology and anthropology. How does understanding each of these help managers?

· Select one of the OB concepts given in the chapter and apply it to a situation in your work or school life. How did this concept help with the situation or if it was not applied, how could it have helped in the outcome?

· Think back to a time at work where there was a miscommunication. What led to it? What was the outcome? How can you avoid a similar miscommunication in the future?

· Imagine that you are a manager and need to share difficult information at work (like the possibility of impending layoffs). What channel(s) would you choose, and why?

· After reading “This is your brain on communication” (and optionally watching Uri Hasson’s TED Talk on the topic), consider this: how important is it to take turns speaking and listening? What goes awry when we don’t?

· Ralph Nichols’ booklet on listening skills is more than 60 years old now. Are the tips in it still relevant today? If so, which ones do you believe are most important and why? If not, why not?

Module 2: Behavior and Decision Making

· What is the relationship between attitudes and behavior? Have you ever experienced cognitive dissonance? What happened?

· As a manager, how can you help increase job satisfaction in your employees? What are the organizational consequences when there are high or low levels of job satisfaction?

· There are four potential employee responses to dissatisfaction in the workplace: exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect. Have you ever found yourself expressing one of these responses? If so, provide some context and examples.

· Find the opportunity to meet someone new. Try using one of the tips in Do These 5 Emotionally Intelligent Things Within 5 Minutes Of Meeting Someone, and share your reactions.

· Of the eight sources of emotions and moods identified in your text (day/time, weather, stress, social activities, sleep, exercise, age, or gender), which do you feel is the most critical and why?

· How important do you believe empathy in the workplace is? Offer several examples.

Module 3: Motivation, Emotions, and Moods

· There are six steps in the rational decision-making process, as described in Chapter 6. Using buying a car as an example, how could someone use this process?

· After watching the video on the Abilene Paradox (see above lecture), what are some suggestions to avoid traveling down the “road to Abilene”? (You can find some suggestions here).

· Choose one of the common decision-making biases that you have either personally experienced or which you are “guilty” of and describe the following: the error involved, the circumstances, and how the bias affected the outcome of the situation.

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Module 4: Group Behavior and Teams

· How do group norms influence an individual’s behavior? Give one or two examples of how you have seen this play out at work.

· How can cohesiveness and diversity support group effectiveness?

· In a globally connected world, what sorts of actions might you take to minimize your organization’s environmental impact from business travel?

· Of the five types of team arrangements, which ones have you been a part of at work? Now think of which one was most successful. What led to its success? (Or, if you have not been a part of a successful team arrangement, what led to its failure?)

· When is work performed by individuals preferred over work by teams?

· Do you agree with striking this one word from your vocabulary? How does this perspective compare to what we have learned in this course so far? Write a paragraph or two as to why you agree or disagree with this recommendation and what you would change if necessary.

· Try out Tom Wujek’s tower building task with friends or colleagues. Compare the results and reactions of your task with what Wujek describes in his video.