CAT / FIA FBT Syllabus D. Leading And Managing Individuals And Teams - Approaches to Work - Notes ^{3 / 3}

One of the key points that mangers need to grasp is that an effective group is one, which not only achieves its task objectives, but satisfies the needs of its members as well.

For each individual there are many factors that affect behaviour and performance at work.

Motivation

Many of the factors that motivate individuals to perform are social in nature; groups can bring out the best in people and can be essential for the delivery of social needs.

• Physical and working conditions.

• Safety.

• Monetary rewards.

• Recognition.

Perception

Developing a group means identifying distinct roles for each of its members.   

Any individual can have several roles, varying between different groups and activities. 

The role adopted will affect the individual’s attitude towards other people.

1. A role is the expected pattern of behaviours associated with members occupying a particular position within the structure of the organisation. 

   It also describes how individuals perceive their own situation.

2. An individual’s perceptions of other people and interactions with other people will be influenced by the different roles. 

   The role they adopt will affect their own behaviour, as well as their attitude towards other people.

Role theory

There is also a “role theory” which suggests that people behave in any situation according to other people’s expectations of how they should behave in that situation

• Role ambiguity arises when individuals are unsure what role they are to play, or others are unclear of that person’s role and so hold back cooperation. 

  If a manager tries to be “friend” with staff, this may create ambiguity and people will not know where they stand

• Role conflict arises, when individuals find a clash between differing roles that they have adopted.  

  For example, if you have to discipline a member of staff (in your role of supervisor) with whom you have become informally friendly (in your role as a sociable person)

• Role incompatibility occurs when individuals experience expectations from outside groups about their role that are different from their own role expectations.

• Role signs are visible indications of the role. 

  Style of dress and uniform are clear examples of role signs.

• Role set describes the people who support a lead person in a major role, e.g. the accounts clerk will relate to the accounts manager.

• Role models are the individuals you aspire to be like: people you look up to and model your own behavior on.