What is Organizational Behavior?

Organizational behaviour is the “study of what people think, feel, and do in and around organizations” (McShane & Steen, 2012 p.480). In seminar class on week 6, we completed both in person and in team the winter survival exercise as a class. The winter survival exercise is made up of a list a group of survivors need after crash-landing with a small plane in the woods of Southern Manitoba. The list ranges from ball of steel wool, newspaper, .…… and family-size chocolate bar (one per person). During the seminar class, we found out that there were significant differences in what we each rated personally and as a team. Teams are “groups of two or more people who interact and influence each other and are mutually accountable for achieving common goals associated with organizational objectives and perceived themselves as a social entity with an organization” (McShane & Steen, 2012 p.212). Some organizational behaviour concepts came into play in this reflection paper such as group dynamics, communication, perception, motivation, personality and decision making
I started the exercise by ranking the list given in order of importance, then I compared it to that of my team members. I came to realize that every member of my team and I have different opinions and ranking scores on the exercise. During my self-assessment, I took a personality test called the “Big Five” Model of Personality. I was given an overall score of 15 and my score shows that my extraversion level is low which indicates that I am introverted, reserved and quiet. My team is made up of six members and a majority of them are not afraid to let their voices be heard. By having a different personality on extraversion, it makes me try harder to be heard and to le...

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...and whoever that contributed the most is acknowledged and thanked.
Finally, my perceptions of my team members have not changed over the course of the winter survival exercise. I met my team members and I got the impression that every one of them is flexible and open-minded. Even though we formed the group by ourselves without knowing each other, I feel like they are a group of individuals I can trust. There is an easy flow of communication that was there right from the moment we formed the group. We are a relaxed group and have deep respect for each other. Just like Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy Theory, there is a sense of belonging and safety in the group. It’s as if I can say anything or be myself and no one will judge me.

Works Cited

McShane, S. L. & Steen, S. L. (2012). Canadian Organizational Behaviour. 8th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.