Organizational Behavior Annotated Bibliography

Précis

Feedback can be a great tool to let your employees, peers, or managers know what they are doing wrong and what areas they could improve in. It must be done correctly, however, or the attempt to give feedback could become an awkward situation and go awry. Giving feedback correctly can be an easy task if the individual approaches the situation they way it should be. This article explains why feedback is important to both managers and employees, and how to give it correctly without making the person feel uncomfortable, or feel like you are putting them on the spot.

Thoughts, Comments, and Opinions

As stated in the article, feedback can be a very valuable tool when it comes to improving performance and broadening your horizons. (Derby) Perhaps you are doing things that are hindering your upward movement in a certain business, and feedback will allow you to change your ways and become more successful, or get over that long elusive hump by getting a promotion. According to our class textbook, experts say that feedback serves two functions for those receiving it, instructional and motivational. Feedback instructs when it clarifies roles or teaches new behavior, and it motivates when it serves as a reward or promises a reward. Feedback can also be upward, meaning employees can give it to their boss and/or manager to help them and their fellow employees voice what is on their minds and how they think things can be improved. Feedback is an essential part of improving a business and helping employees to achieve their ultimate goals.

Organizational Behavior: The Enemy Next Door

Précis

Minimizing problems in businesses/organizations isn't an easy task to accomplish. You also have to be careful when trying to do so, because approaching the dilemma the wrong way and using the wrong methods can be disastrous. According to the article, James Halpin, the former CEO of CompUSA lost his job because of his "cutthroat culture and methods." (Sutton) They also believe that he was the reason that CompUSA got into serious financial trouble. Not all businesses are like this, though. The author of the article believes Halpin took it further than most CEOs do, and ever even should. (Sutton)

Thoughts, Comments, and Opinions

Using the correct methods in management is crucial to the success of a business. There are so many different types of methods and practices; it's very difficult to decide which one is best for your business and employees. Competition doesn't always lead to negative things and outcomes, though. The author of the article thinks that way as well. If used correctly and carefully, competition and rewards can bring out the best in employees and significantly improve the quality and efficiency of a business. In the article, there is a great example of the whole point the author has been trying to make. Southwest Airlines' long time CEO Herb Kelleher has always had the philosophy of "declaring war" against competing airlines. (Sutton) Recent reports are that Southwest is having more "internal friction" than ever before. The author predicts that part of the problem is "the rest of the U.S. airline industry (except for upstart JetBlue) is in so much trouble today that Southwest doesn't have any credible enemies, so its employees are now turning their battle swords on each other." That is an interesting concept to say the least. (Sutton)Teamwork -- In Sports and BusinessPrécis Teamwork is a crucial aspect in business. Not only can it help your business reach goals and complete tasks quicker, but can also be used to accomplish other various purposes. I liked the following quote from the article:"The authors argue that just like in rugby, for a business to be successful it needs the performance of each individual but also a team that 'plays' together." (Walker) Employees that cooperate and work well with each other make up the formula for a successful business.Thoughts, Comments, and OpinionsThe actual development and formation of a group or team goes through a maturation process, just as in any life-cycle situation, according to the textbook. Once that group has started to mature and gain experience in whatever it is they are doing, each member will assume a certain role. (Walker) This can be crucial to the success in the business. Every employee must maintain their task. After all, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." There are also things called norms. According to the text, a norm is an attitude, opinion, feeling, or action-shared by two or more people-that guides their behavior. Teamwork relies on norms being established. If there were no norms and a lack of common belief amongst a team of employees, or even sports players, they might not work that well together. Business MotivationPrécis The author of this article starts off strong in the first few paragraphs with the following quote, "Motivation is one of the most powerful driving forces in the workplace. It can mean the difference between tremendous success and failure." (Wurtzel) Many perceive motivation as playing a big role in the business world, but it plays a much larger role than most people think. This article explains why it plays such a large role and can literally be "life or death" for some. Thoughts, Comments, and Opinions Inspiration is key to motivation. According to the article, it is critical to getting and staying motivated. If there is no interest in the business, then you will also have a low motivation level and the business will feel the effects. This quote from the article is a very true one and one that everyone should take note of. "Another key factor in getting and staying motivated is networking with other small business owners. One person can't move huge mountains. However, when a number of people begin working together the mountains are suddenly only small hills -- simply challenges waiting to be surmounted." (Wurtzel) This aspect is called networking and without it, employees will have a much harder time accomplishing goals. Utilizing help from other employees ad businesses can make your workload much lighter and easier, and the work will come out dome more efficiently. (Wurtzel) In turn, lighter workloads and more presentable work will motivate employees to do their job more efficiently and effectively.

Bibliography

Derby, E. (2009). What Every Manager Should Know About Feedback. Retrieved April 03, 2009 from CIO: http://www.cio.com/​article/​105001/​what_every_manager_should_know_about_feedback.

Sutton, R. I. (2009). Organizational Behavior: The Enemy Next Door. Retrieved April 03, 2009 from CIO Insight: http://www.cioinsight.com/​c/a/​past-news/​ organizational-behavior-the-enemy-next- door/.

Walker, P. (2009). Teamwork -- in sports and business. Retrieved April 03, 2009 from CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/​2007/​business/​09/​27/​execed.rugby/.

Wurtzel, N. (2009). Business Motivation. Retrieved April 03, 2009 from The Sideroad: http://www.sideroad.com/​entrepreneur/​business-motivation.html.

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