Organization Behavior Notes
Organization Behavior Notes
Organization Behavior Notes
Agreement. It represents the most advantageous alternative that a negotiating party can
pursue if the primary negotiations fail and an agreement cannot be reached123.
Here’s why understanding your BATNA is crucial:
1. Alternative Option: BATNA provides an alternative course of action if negotiations
fall through. It’s like having a backup plan in case things don’t work out as expected.
2. Negotiating Power: Knowing your BATNA gives you leverage during negotiations.
If your BATNA is strong, you can confidently push for better terms.
3. Reservation Point: Your BATNA determines the worst price or outcome you’re
willing to accept. It sets the boundary beyond which you’d rather pursue an
alternative.
Let’s consider a simple scenario involving two friends, Alex and Jordan, who are
negotiating over a used bicycle:
1. Alex’s Situation:
o Alex wants to buy a bicycle for commuting to work.
o The maximum price Alex is willing to pay is $200.
o Alex’s BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) is to take the
bus to work, which costs $3 per day.
2. Jordan’s Situation:
o Jordan is selling a used bicycle.
o Jordan’s minimum acceptable price for the bicycle is $150.
o Jordan’s BATNA is to keep the bicycle and continue using it.
3. Negotiation Process:
o Alex and Jordan start negotiating.
o Alex knows that if the price exceeds $200, it’s better to take the bus (the
BATNA).
o Jordan knows that if the price drops below $150, it’s better to keep the bicycle
(the BATNA).
4. Outcome:
o After some discussion, they agree on a price of $180 for the bicycle.
o Both Alex and Jordan are satisfied because the negotiated price is better than
their respective BATNAs.
Power:
Power refers to the ability to influence the behavior of others to achieve desired
outcomes.
It’s like having a lever that allows you to shape decisions, actions, and attitudes within
an organization.
Effective leaders understand how to wield power judiciously.
Types of Power:
1. Legitimate Power:
o Derived from one’s organizational role or position.
o People comply because they accept the legitimacy of the position (e.g., a boss
assigning projects).
o Example: Steve Jobs as the CEO of Apple1.
2. Reward Power:
o Ability to grant rewards (e.g., pay raises, promotions, perks).
o Most effective when rewards are scarce.
o Example: Steve Jobs using raises and promotions at Apple1.
3. Coercive Power:
o Ruling by fear of punishment, demotion, or shame.
o Can be negative (used alone) or positive (as part of a balanced approach).
o Example: A firm but fair leader using it as the “stick” in motivation 2.
4. Expert Power:
o Based on knowledge, skills, and expertise.
o Others respect and trust your judgment.
o Example: A seasoned engineer advising a team on technical matters.
5. Information Power:
o Access to valuable information.
o Can influence decisions by sharing or withholding information.
6. Referent Power:
o Arises from personal admiration, respect, or liking.
o People comply because they want to be associated with you.
o Example: Influential leaders like Oprah Winfrey1
Influence refers to the ability to affect the thoughts, behaviors, and decisions of
others within an organization.
It’s a critical skill for leaders, managers, and team members to achieve goals and drive
positive change.
Influence Tactics:
1. Legitimacy:
o Relying on your position or authority to influence others.
o Example: A manager assigns tasks based on their role.
2. Rational Persuasion:
o Using logical arguments, facts, and data to convince others.
o Effective when appealing to reason.
o Example: Presenting a business case for a new project.
3. Inspirational Appeals:
o Appealing to values, emotions, and ideals.
o Motivating others by connecting to their aspirations.
o Example: A leader inspiring a team during challenging times.
4. Consultation:
o Involving others in decision-making.
o Seeking input and buy-in.
o Example: Asking team members for input on process improvements.
5. Exchange:
o Offering something in return for compliance.
o Creating a quid pro quo arrangement.
o Example: “If you finish this task early, I’ll give you extra time off.
6. Personal Appeals:
o Seeking compliance based on personal relationships.
o Leveraging trust and friendship.
o Example: Asking a colleague for a favor due to your close relationship.
7. Ingratiation:
o Using flattery, praise, or favors to win favor.
o Building goodwill.
oExample: Complimenting a coworker’s work to gain their support.
8. Pressure:
o Applying threats, demands, or coercion.
o Can be forceful or subtle.
o Example: Urging a team to meet a tight deadline.
9. Coalitions:
o Building alliances or partnerships to influence others.
o Strength in numbers.
o Example: Forming a cross-functional team to advocate for a project.
Negotioan
2. Approaches to Negotiation
There are four main approaches to negotiation:
1. Distributive Negotiation (Win-Lose Approach):
o Also known as competitive or zero-sum negotiation.
o Key characteristics:
One side “wins,” and the other “loses.”
Fixed resources are divided (more for one means less for the other).
Interests often oppose each other.
Dominant concern: maximizing one’s own interests.
o Strategies: Concealing information, manipulation, and forceful tactics.
2. Lose-Lose Approach:
o Both parties end up as losers.
o Occurs when needs are ignored, and hurting each other becomes more important than
finding a solution.
o Undesirable outcome best avoided.
3. Compromise Approach:
o Both parties give up part of their original goals.
o Used when convincing each other is impossible or when resources are limited.
4. Integrative Negotiation (Win-Win Approach):
o Also called collaborative or creating value negotiation.
o Seeks to create an agreement beneficial to both parties.
o Focuses on long-term relationships and future negotiations.
o Reveals preferences and interests openly.
o Aims for mutual gain and satisfaction34.
Distributive Bargaining:
o Focuses on dividing scarce resources.
o Often involves haggling over issues like price.
o Competitive and zero-sum.
o Reveals little information.
o Goal: Maximize one’s own interests.
Integrative Bargaining:
o Aims to create new sources of value.
o Collaborative and win-win.
o Reveals preferences and interests openly.
o Goal: Achieve what both parties want.
o Emphasizes relationship building and long-term vision56.
Leadership can be defined as the ability of management to make sound decisions and inspire
others to perform well.
It involves directing the behavior of others toward achieving common goals.
In short, leadership is about getting things done through others.
Importance of leadership:
o Leads to higher performance by team members.
o Improves motivation and morale within the organization.
o Helps respond to change effectively.
o Facilitates organizational success by creating responsibility and accountability 12.
5. Transformational Leadership:
o Inspires employees and motivates them toward a collective goal.
o Empowers others to share the leader’s vision.
o Example: Winston Churchill during World War II or Elon Musk at SpaceX.
6. Autocratic Leadership:
o Centralized decision-making by the leader.
o Little input from team members.
o Example: Military commanders during critical operations.
7. Participative (Democratic) Leadership:
o Involves team members in decision-making.
o Encourages collaboration and creativity.
o Example: Brainstorming sessions in innovative companies.
8. Delegative (Laissez-Faire) Leadership:
o Hands-off approach, allowing team members autonomy.
o Effective with highly skilled and self-motivated employees.
o Example: Creative teams in advertising agencies.
9. Bureaucratic Leadership:
o Strict adherence to rules and procedures.
o Common in government or large organizations.
o Example: Military bureaucracy.