Self-Awareness for Organizational Behavior

This assignment explores the crucial role of self-awareness in organizational behavior. It delves into how understanding oneself and others can enhance productivity, communication, and overall organizational success. The essay utilizes a 4-V model of leadership and emphasizes the importance of experiential learning through critical thinking and reflection. It also examines various resources and theories related to self-awareness and its impact on performance.

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Self-awareness Report
By Student’s Name
Course + Code
Class
Institution
Date

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Introduction
Executive summary
Currently, there is an inclined emphasis on personal side of organizational behavior
and in the study of organizational behavior this is gradually taking root. In this research a
case study was carried out. Through interviewing four participants in that course and
observing them. I have investigated how organizational behavior course can be useful in the
development of one’s self-awareness. By analyzing data from the interview, 5 categories
were established. The 5 categories included, personality, value and motivators, emotional
intelligence, leadership and power and politics. To be able to discuss these categories in-
depth I drew on The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The informants pointed towards
the understanding of the course and how it has assisted them to understand themselves better
than they have normall done. They also expressed how they have been challenged to think of
the new perspective of themslves. To be able to illustrate and discuss the course process, I
gathered the findings from both the interviews and observation through two self-theories
which are objective self-awareness theory and self-discrepancy theory. Through doing this I
learnt that course contain features that influence self-awareness development. I also realized a
person’s development level is influenced by what they get out of the module. This therefore
means that educators of organizational behavior need to emphasize on this to assist people’s
development in the best possible way.

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Table of Contents
1.0
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................3
2.0 Self-awareness.................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Personality......................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Values and Motivators.....................................................................................................................7
2.3 Emotional intelligence.....................................................................................................................7
2.4 Leadership.......................................................................................................................................8
2.5 Power and Politics...........................................................................................................................8
3.0 Decision making and planning.......................................................................................................10
4.0 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
For a very long time self-awareness has been viewed by researchers and
professionals as a means of psychological distress alleviation and a way of psychological
self-growth for healthy individuals. (Polk, 2013), quotes that self-awareness growth is both
an objective and a tool (Okpara, 2006). Currently, studies have shown that various self-
awareness aspects such as rumination and mindfulness facilitate the effect of mindfulness-
based interventions on the implications of mental health. The relevance of self-awareness is
far beyond mental health and involve considerable effects of day –to-day operations. Self-
awareness has significant impact on performance, with mindfulness and reflection which
encourages perseverance in a given activity regardless of the performance-related stress and
interpersonal problems caused by rumination.
Even though, several studies show that the importance of self-awareness is
continually growing, there is yet a broad measure to capture this range of outcomes and
effects. Self-awareness comprise of emotional abilities that enables a person to be more
effective and efficient and be able to form exceptional relationships at their place of work. In
simple terms self-awareness refers to the ability that enables a person to acknowledge their
emotions and the effects of the emotions. Several reaches suggest that people who understand
their emotions are very effective at their work place. Those people know and understand their
emotions, moods and needs and they understand and recognize how their actions influence
other people (Okpara, 2006). Competencies of self- awareness comprise of accurate self-
awareness, self-confidence and emotional self-awareness. People with self-awareness are
aware of their strengths and weaknesses, are open to candid feedback, they are also able to
learn from previous experiences. These people are also constantly learning and have obtained
self -development.

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Self-awareness entails a strong sense of one’s value and abilities. According to
Okpara, (2006), People who have acquired self-awareness ability present themselves with
self- assurance. These people have presence, are able to voice their unpopular views, are
decisive, are also able to make informed decisions under pressures. Generally, self-awareness
is an inward focus evaluative process through which a person applies reflection to achieve
self-comparisons with reality and responses from other people. The main objective of self-
awareness process is the creation of better self-knowledge, make changes and enhancements
and the readiness for weakness accommodation (Okpara, 2006). The self-awareness process
enhances one’s ability through comparing themselves to other people and the responses they
obtain. This comparison is important because it enables one to evaluate alternatives, identify
problems and make progress towards the attainment of his or her goals.
Sharon Merriman of the University of Iowa (Iowa State University, 2017), describes a
self-aware adult learner as one who:
a. Has an open-minded self-concept.
b. Is capable of directing his own learning.
c. Is capable of accumulating a reservoir of life experiences that can be a
resourceful.
d. Has learning requirements that relate to changing social roles.
e. Is problem-centered and has interest in immediate knowledge application.
f. Is willing to learn and is internally motivated, and not externally.
Self-awareness skills is important because it enables one to think critically. Without
self-awareness the process of thinking can be changed by self- deception which is a thinking

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process that makes a person to be misinformed and make them to unable to communicate,
unable to learn and pass wrong information to other people.
Organizational behavior(OB) is the study of human behavior in organizational
environment, the interaction between an organization and human behavior, and the
organization itself. It is a field of study that examines how individuals, associations and
structure influences the behavior in an organization with an aim of using that knowledge
towards the enhancement of organization's effectiveness. A company is termed effective it
offers right services and products that consumers want and are ready to patronize. The
company becomes efficient if it provides those products at a reduced price. Researches have
been carried out in advanced world of Europe, America and Asia have demonstrated that self-
awareness is part of emotional intelligence which enhances organizational performance
(Anon., 2017). The purpose of study is to assess and critically examine several key issues
and concepts related to organizational behavior along with organizational change models and
methods that outline and explains management change in an organizational perspective. The
article also examines value and motivators aspect, personality of an individual in relation to
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as well as emotional intelligence, leadership,
power and politics and decision making and planning based on self-awareness theories. The
general coveraged of this study is to investigate the relationship between self- awareness and
organisational behaviour of Motel 6 hotel in Texas, United states of America.
2.0 Self-awareness
Generally, self-awareness can be described as the level to which people are willingly
aware of their inner state, relationships and interactions with others. Depending with the
focus of the study, self-awareness can be operationalized in several ways (Iowa State
University, 2017). For instance, this article examines value and motivators aspect, personality

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of an individual in relation to The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as well as emotional
intelligence, leadership, power and politics and decision making and planning based on self-
awareness theories.
2.1 Personality
By undertaking this course, I learned that there are two types of individual
differences, these are ability differences and personality. Not only did this chapter capture my
attention, but also enabled me to understand how important it is to know the determinants,
nature and repercussions of individual differences in managing organizational behavior when
working in groups when given an assignments or when working in the future (Polk, 2013).
The course also has enabled me to understand people’s actions and why they act in that
particular manner and why people’s actions differ from one another. I also learnt from the
topic that, whether one is in the university or at work place personality will always differ,
people’s thoughts and behavior will forever be different from one another. Before pursuing
this course, I always thought that everyone’s personality was destined to be the way it is. But
by learning this course, I now understand that personality is influenced by both nurture and
nature (Polk, 2013). This is true in the sense that some of my personality section is same as
that of my parents while other section has been modelled by the experiences I experienced
when I was young. By understanding the inherited personality and situational factors
personality am able to know which personality part that can be changed or cannot be altered.
As people’s personality continue to stabilizes with time, someone cannot be expected to
change in a short period of time. Therefore, it is essential that people learn other people’s
personalities accept them the way they are or establish effective ways of dealing with them if
they feel their personality is unfit.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) indicates how the world is perceive by
individuals in terms of decioson making, communication and learning. Myers-Briggs test,

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notes that there are four kinds of personality subdivided in 16 different kinds of personalities
(Anon., 2017). Personality tests assists agencies to understand their employees better,
leverage the employee’s strength and support their employee’s weakness. MBTI assessment,
enables the employers to understand what strategy can work for the company, be able to deal
with stress and how the company can make informed decisions. Other benefits that a
company can gain from personality testing include: Assembling teams, motivating employees
and developing leaders who can develop the company to another level.
2.2 Values and Motivators
By learning the topic, I can now confirm that I understand the importance of knowing
and focusing on my personal values. Right now I also know what I want to achieve in life
starting with my first priority which is to work in Motel 6 which is a multinational hotel. The
course has made me realize that by focusing on my values and motivators am able to
accomplish what I consider significant (Iowa State University, 2017).
2.3 Emotional intelligence
Currently, emotional self-awareness is among the five aspects of emotional
intelligence that has become a hot topic of discussion. Organizational behavior as a field of
study has helped me understand my own feelings, how they occur and what triggers them.
Through studying this course, I have also understood how my feelings influence my actions
and thoughts (Iowa State University, 2017). The course has also helped me to acquire high
emotional self-awareness that enables me to understand internal process related to previous
emotional experiences and thus have a greater control over the bad experiences.
2.4 Leadership
Regarding leadership my personal interest was influenced by two distinct leaders. For
a very long time I wondered why I admired them and what made them different from other
leaders. I felt that it was so simple to cultivate the skills of being a good leader like them. I

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wondered if those leaders were born with those skills or was a just about their personality
(Dowling, 2014). This course brought light to my uncertainties through the theoretical
explanations concerning how people can develop to higher consciousness levels. These has
had a positive impact on how I communicate, how I relate to the world which has also helped
me improve my leadership traits. Another interesting aspect that I learnt from the topic was
the ability to reflect upon myself and fully understand myself. I noticed that this aspect has be
essential to these two leaders in their leadership practice and has assisted me to do more
research regarding this topic. Self-awareness concept has been elaborated in this course
symbolizing how relevant it is for anyone aspiring to be a leader in future (Dowling, 2014).
With the aspiration of being a CEO of Motel 6 hotel I wish to state that this course has been a
great inspiration to my career.
2.5 Power and Politics
Power
There is a fine distinction between application of power effectively, utilization of
power and power dependency in an organization. Through the course I was able to
understand that in order to be a successful manager I need to maintain positive relationship
with everybody who is involved in the company but I cannot become dependent on these
people: regulating agencies, competitors, superiors, outside suppliers, peers, customer unions
and subordinate. By heavily being dependent on them there will be creation of weakness and
vulnerabilities which might cause the organization not to operate smoothly or even collapse.
The people on the list have their own agenda and different behaviors which requires that the
manager adapt to each of them, leading to dependency on the people on the list (Dowling,
2014). Dependency should not be viewed as a negative term but it should just be moderated.
In the course I have learnt that as an intern I will have to know and understand my exact
responsibilities so that am I can execute my duties as per the company’s expectations.

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Throughout the course I was able to learn that it is important to establish power and prevent
unnecessary dependence. From the topic I was able to understand that power is equivalent to
planning, organizing, good staffing and appropriate budgeting. Essentially, effective
management comes from the top down to the manager having a sense of responsibility which
dribbles around the company. The employees establish a defined trust in the manager’s
expertise, that his decisions are the right ones
Politics
In many organization people can recognize and Many people at the organizations are
able to recognize and notice supervisor’s political behavior at the organization’s top level. A
number of organizations promote political activities such as dictatorial decision making,
limited resources, undefined goals, uncertainty and ambiguous lines of authority (Dowling,
2014). Organizational behavior teaches the activities that are usually involved in politics. In
this course I understood that political behaviors should not be used for self-interest since they
can way on the negative side which eventually leads to one being inconsiderate to other
people’s needs. The study also encourages one to allow employees feel safer and helpful at
work place and not to view the workplace as a threatening environment.
3.0 Decision making and planning
The process of perceiving and resolving a gap between desired goal and situation,
where the path to the achievement of the goal could be blocked by unknown and the known
difficulties can be referred to as problem solving (Huitt, 1992). In this case, the situation is
one that has not been previously encountered, or where at least a certain solution from
previous experiences unknown. Whereas, decision making is a process of selection where one
of two or more possible solutions are selected to attain a required goal. The stages in problem

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solving and decision making are similar. In fact, the concepts are sometimes used
interchangeably
Various self-theories investigate the self-beliefs implications on emotion and
motivation. This study intersected two main self-theories. These are objective self-awareness
theory and self-discrepancy theory. Objective self-awareness theory explains that high self-
awareness strengthens the relationship between emotions and self-discrepancies whereas self-
disagreement theory explains that ought and ideal discrepancies cause distinct negative
emotions. Organizational behavior course relate problem solving process model to the
personality theory which facilitates problem solving (Huitt, 1992). I learnt that through
careful choices and application techniques there is a possibility that I will enhance my
strengths which will be essential during my internship.
As a graduate of Southern Cross University, I look forward to begin my first
stage in my career in Tourism and Hotel Professional Development. I would like to build my
career from the experience I gained from my study on organizational behavior. As an intern
who seeks employment I am passionate about organizational behavior and particularly
willing to educate an organization’s employees about organizational behavior. Through
studying this course am enthusiastic and imaginative to any position I will be offered. I am
also confident that I will bring a sound knowledge strong and organizational skills in relation
to organizational behavior (Huitt, 1992). By learning this course I am able to find innovative
solutions to problems and I believe that any company can be improved. Right now I am a
qualified graduate with a Bachelor certificate in Tourism and Hotel Professional
Development. Throughout, my time at the university I have obtained knowledge and skills in
several aspects of the organizational behavior. I also acquired valuable skills that I feel will
be very beneficial to my internship program.

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4.0 Conclusion
The major objective of this report was to examine the relationship between organizational
behavior and self-awareness . The report has so far established that there is a relationship
between organizational behavior and self-awareness. With the outcome I was able to
determine that self-awareness influences an organization positively. Organizational
performance is determined by self-awareness of the manager. The more self-aware the
organization’s manager is the better the organization’s performance. Precisely the more
organization’s managers possess self-awareness skills the more likely the organization will
enhance its revenue and return on investment.
Universities should enhance learning through experience. While knowledge that is
class-based is significant in learning, conventional lecture-based studying is not enough. The
honor course helps in development of organizational behavior by concentrating on critical
thinking and reflection as vital to the course. I have noted that this approach to self-awareness
for organizational behavior utilizes the 4-V model of leadership to assist the honor college to
attain its objectives. Leaners perceive themselves at the core of their communities and not at
the top of hierarchy, hence establishing mutual influence capacity. Similarly, conventional
curriculum boundaries result in a learning environment that enhances the ability of learners to
explore. I have noted that for one to perfect his skills, the best way to begin with is self-
awareness. A plan for professional or personal development can be initiated upon the
determination of who you are. In a nutshell, this module has been of great benefit to me. By
understanding other people’s behavior, the work can be allocated appropriately and
accomplished in an efficient and effective manner.
References

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Anon., 2017. Myers Briggs Personality Types. [Online]
Available at: http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/tt/t-articl/mb-simpl.htm
[Accessed 21 9 2017].
Dowling, C., 2014. The Power of Self-Awareness. [Online]
Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christa-dowling/the-power-of-self-
awarenes_b_5808132.html
[Accessed 21 9 2017].
Huitt, W., 1992. Problem Solving and Decision Making: Consideration of Individual
Differences. [Online]
Available at: http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/prbsmbti.html
[Accessed 21 9 2017].
Iowa State University, 2017. Self-Awareness: The Essence of Effective Leadership. [Online]
Available at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/hr/self-awareness-essence-effective-
leadership
[Accessed 21 9 2017].
Nesbit, P. L., n.d. Self-awareness, Self- reflection and Self-regulation: An intergrated model
of managerial self-development. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.anzam.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf-manager/1947_NESBITPAUL_144.PDF
[Accessed 21 9 2017].
Okpara, A., 2006. Self-awareness and organizational performance in the Nigeria banking
sector. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Management Sciences , 3(2056-
5992), pp. 5-17.
Polk, D. M., 2013. Cultivating Self-Awareness with Team-Teaching: Connectionsbetween
Classroom Learning and Experiential Learning. Journal of Leadership Education , 12(3), pp.
5-27.

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Appendix
Recommended reading:
Tomas R. Giberson: Industrial–Organizational Psychology and the Practice of Performance
Improvement.
Robbins, Stephen P: Organizational Behavior
M Almlund: Personality Psychology and Economics