My Discussion Board on Organizational Behavior
1. During a diversity management session, a manager suggests that stereotypes are a necessary part of working with others. “I have to make assumptions about what’s in the other person’s head, and stereotypes help me do that,” she explains. “It’s better to rely on stereotypes than to enter a working relationship with someone from another culture without any idea of what they believe in!” Discuss the merits of problems with the manager’s statement.
It is true that a person can be a better manager if she is aware of and knowledgeable about the sub-culture that her team members grew up in or inhabit at the present time. Our culture defines our personalities and our outlook on life in many different ways. If we are not aware of cultural influences, we may not be able to decipher behavior which is culture specific and may not be ordinarily seen in the current business environment. Sharing racial generalizations with those targeted by them will only cause emotional damage. Rather than telling your coworker that he defied your expectations, consider reflecting on how you developed the stereotype in question and how to let go of it.
2. Describe how a manager or coach could use the process of self-fulfilling prophecy to enhance an individual’s performance.
When you think you are good at something you often do better than when you try to do something you don’t think you are able to do. Managers, coaches and others have the power in their actions to foster the behavior they want to see, through positive and negative reinforcement. A coach on a team will have some expectations of its players. The coach will form a positive expectation about a good skilled player and therefore let that player play more often. The coaches’ behavior is affected by their expectation about that particular player. This affects the player’s self-confidence and ability because they are able to play more. This again leads to the player’s behavior becoming consistent with the expectations of
It is true that a person can be a better manager if she is aware of and knowledgeable about the sub-culture that her team members grew up in or inhabit at the present time. Our culture defines our personalities and our outlook on life in many different ways. If we are not aware of cultural influences, we may not be able to decipher behavior which is culture specific and may not be ordinarily seen in the current business environment. Sharing racial generalizations with those targeted by them will only cause emotional damage. Rather than telling your coworker that he defied your expectations, consider reflecting on how you developed the stereotype in question and how to let go of it.
2. Describe how a manager or coach could use the process of self-fulfilling prophecy to enhance an individual’s performance.
When you think you are good at something you often do better than when you try to do something you don’t think you are able to do. Managers, coaches and others have the power in their actions to foster the behavior they want to see, through positive and negative reinforcement. A coach on a team will have some expectations of its players. The coach will form a positive expectation about a good skilled player and therefore let that player play more often. The coaches’ behavior is affected by their expectation about that particular player. This affects the player’s self-confidence and ability because they are able to play more. This again leads to the player’s behavior becoming consistent with the expectations of