Organizational behavior is the study of workers and their behavior in the context of the organizations where they work and it is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses the fields of psychology, sociology, communication, and management. Three of the challenges that can arise are communications issues and barriers, stereotyping and decision making.
There are opportunities that come along with the challenges these present. Communications barriers can include internal and external noise and personal issues that prevent a member of an organization from receiving the intended communications. Removing barriers such as noise can mean the configuration of desks and other tables needs to be changed to minimize the amount of noise. Changing the sites of a meeting can also help reducing internal and external noise factors.
Stereotyping is a factor not only in organizational behavior, but in the public as a whole for a long, long time. Certain stereotypes exist for certain ethnic groups, gender groups, and lifestyle groups. Overcoming these will require work as individuals and as a group the best way to address it is through education. Bring in an experienced speaker or look up a program that teaches acceptance, diversity, and tolerance. Also have clearly established rules that prohibit discrimination of any kind and have them posted where everyone can read them and be aware of them.
The decision making process varies from organization to organization. The larger the business, the more complicated the process. Studies have shown that employees who feel cut off from the decision making process are not as productive as those who are in the loop of making important decisions. Examine your corporate culture and find ways to keep employees informed of the big picture. Employees who feel empowered will most often act in the best interests of the company and be more productive, a must in today's competitive business world.
- See the chances that lie within these barriers
There are opportunities that come along with the challenges these present. Communications barriers can include internal and external noise and personal issues that prevent a member of an organization from receiving the intended communications. Removing barriers such as noise can mean the configuration of desks and other tables needs to be changed to minimize the amount of noise. Changing the sites of a meeting can also help reducing internal and external noise factors.
Stereotyping is a factor not only in organizational behavior, but in the public as a whole for a long, long time. Certain stereotypes exist for certain ethnic groups, gender groups, and lifestyle groups. Overcoming these will require work as individuals and as a group the best way to address it is through education. Bring in an experienced speaker or look up a program that teaches acceptance, diversity, and tolerance. Also have clearly established rules that prohibit discrimination of any kind and have them posted where everyone can read them and be aware of them.
- How decision making is a subjective skill
The decision making process varies from organization to organization. The larger the business, the more complicated the process. Studies have shown that employees who feel cut off from the decision making process are not as productive as those who are in the loop of making important decisions. Examine your corporate culture and find ways to keep employees informed of the big picture. Employees who feel empowered will most often act in the best interests of the company and be more productive, a must in today's competitive business world.
