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Organizational Behavior

Management Skills Application Exercises

Organizational BehaviorManagement Skills Application Exercises

  1. To assist in your analysis, you may wish to complete this self-assessment. Simply think of a group you have belonged to, and answer each question as honestly as possible. When you are through, refer to Appendix B for interpretation.

How Do You Behave in a Group?

Instructions: Think of a typical group situation in which you often find yourself (e.g., a club, study group, small work group), and answer the following items as accurately as possible.

Never Seldom Fairly Often Frequently
In a group, how often do you:
  1. Keep the group focused on the task at hand?
1 2 3 4
  1. Help the group clarify the issues?
1 2 3 4
  1. Pull various ideas together?
1 2 3 4
  1. Push the group to make a decision or complete a task?
1 2 3 4
  1. Support and encourage other groups members?
1 2 3 4
  1. Try to reduce interpersonal conflicts?
1 2 3 4
  1. Help the group reach a compromise?
1 2 3 4
  1. Assist in maintaining group harmony?
1 2 3 4
  1. Seek personal recognition from other group members?
1 2 3 4
  1. Try to dominate group activities?
1 2 3 4
  1. Avoid unpleasant or undesirable group activities?
1 2 3 4
  1. Express your impatience or hostility with the group?
1 2 3 4
  1. To see how group effectiveness works, try this self-assessment. Choose a work group (or groups) to which you belong (or did belong in the past). Once you have selected a group, simply answer the items on the questionnaire by checking either “mostly yes” or “mostly no.” When you have finished, refer to Appendix B for scoring.

How Effective Is Your Work Group?

Instructions: Select a group to which you belong, and use this group to answer the following questions. Check “mostly yes” or “mostly no” to answer each question.

Mostly Yes Mostly No
  1. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable.
_____ _____
  1. Group discussion is frequent, and it is usually pertinent to the task at hand.
_____ _____
  1. Group members understand what they are trying to accomplish.
_____ _____
  1. People listen to each other’s suggestions and ideas.
_____ _____
  1. Disagreements are tolerated, and an attempt is made to resolve them.
_____ _____
  1. There is general agreement on most courses of action taken.
_____ _____
  1. The group welcomes frank criticism from inside and outside sources.
_____ _____
  1. When the group takes action, clear assignments are made and accepted.
_____ _____
  1. There is a well-established, relaxed working relationship among the members.
_____ _____
  1. There is a high degree of trust and confidence among the leader and subordinates.
_____ _____
  1. The group members strive hard to help the group achieve its goal.
_____ _____
  1. Suggestions and criticisms are offered and received with a helpful spirit.
_____ _____
  1. There is a cooperative rather than a competitive relationship among group members.
_____ _____
  1. The group goals are set high but not so high as to create anxieties or fear of failure.
_____ _____
  1. The leaders and members hold a high opinion of the group’s capabilities.
_____ _____
  1. Creativity is stimulated within the group.
_____ _____
  1. There is ample communication within the group of topics relevant to getting the work accomplished.
_____ _____
  1. Group members feel confident in making decisions.
_____ _____
  1. People are kept busy but not overloaded.
_____ _____
  1. The leader of the group is well suited for the job.
_____ _____
Source: Adapted from A. J. DuBrin from The Human Side of Enterprise (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960).
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