Trident MGT501 All Modules Discussions Latest 2020 January

MGT501 Management & Organizational Behavior

Module 1 Discussion

How to design jobs to enhance satisfaction and motivation: Job Characteristics Model

Each module’s Discussion Forum in this class has two topics – one for the first week and another for the second.

In the Module 1 Discussion Forum be sure to post your responses using the background material, including the reading and video on the Job Characteristics Model. Here is a shorter synopsis of that material:

Louis, D. J. (2016) Notes on the Job Characteristics Model.

In Week 1, consider a job you have held that you did NOT find motivating. What job characteristics were missing? Look at another student’s post and suggest some ways that a manager could redesign that job to enhance one or more job characteristics and increase the motivating properties of that job. When someone has posted to your original job characteristics, go back and comment on whether or not the suggested changes would have made you feel more motivated. Why or why not?

 

MGT501 Management & Organizational Behavior

Module 2 Discussion

Conflict Management

What was the worst experience you ever had with conflict? What was so bad about it? What are some of the things that caused the conflict? Look at another student’s post and comment on how you, as an outsider, see the causes of their conflict. What are some suggestions you would have to mitigate or resolve their situation? When someone has responded to your post, be sure to go back and comment on if you think that the suggestions would have worked to resolve the conflict. Why or why not?

 

MGT501 Management & Organizational Behavior

Module 3 Discussion

Merger and Unit Integration Issues

As a leader/manager, one circumstance you may encounter is the necessity to integrate or merge two organizational units. This can be a stressful period which, if not properly managed, can cause a good deal of tension and/or conflict, often leading to decreased organizational performance.

Consider that senior management has dictated that your unit will merge with another manager’s unit over the next three months. You will be the leader of the newly merged group. The previous manager will remain on your staff. Senior management has asked you to submit a merger plan. (If you have previously been involved in an actual unit merger, please share the organizational dynamics you experienced as well as any lessons learned.)

(Bring in and cite at least one source of information from your background readings for each of your weekly initial posts.)

What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities you face, both short- and long-term?

 

MGT501 Management & Organizational Behavior

Module 4 Discussion

Sociopolitical Skills

Using the same scenario as Week 1 of this Discussion, answer the question in bold below.

Organizational structure, norms, values, culture, etc., all have an impact on a leader’s success. Consider the new or advancing leader. Such a leader is expected to learn how to effectively perform all of the important administrative and professional/technical tasks. In addition, the leader needs to master the necessary social skills associated with early effectiveness in the new position. Below are 10 “sociopolitical” categories which may influence a transitioning leader’s early (and enduring) effectiveness. These include, in no particular order, the ability to:  

enter into an established leader/employee “network”;

sense, as well as use, appropriate communication and influence behaviors;

sense and appropriately act on keen organizational norms;

become aware of, and sensitively interact with, organizational “blockers” and “enablers”;

build political bridges by identifying and relating to key formal/informal power sources;

become known as a “go-to/can-do” individual;

be perceived as a “team player”;

sense key organizational issues upon which to create early vision, initiatives, and value;

identify and appropriately respond to the requirements of superiors/peers/subordinates; and

be perceived as having organizationally appropriate ethics, values, and beliefs.  

Please note that these are behavioral skill categories, not actual behaviors. You likely use many of the actual behaviors (such as “interpersonal communication”) within a category every day. 

Does this list of “sociopolitical” skill categories match your sense of what is most required to help ensure a leader’s early success in a new role/position? What might you add or subtract to help ensure the most effective transition into a new job?  

 

MGT501 Management & Organizational Behavior

Module 4 Reflection Discussion

Summary and Reflection

Identify one substantive topic in the course that you will use in your job in the future. Specify the topic, your job, and how you will use this knowledge to be a better manager or leader.

Looking back at the self-assessments you conducted throughout the course, name one specific change you will make in your behavior to try to build your management and leadership competencies or skills.

After responding to the Reflective Discussion above, please complete an anonymous Course Evaluation Survey. Instructors are not able to view course evaluation reports until after the grade submission period is over. Thank you for your feedback.