1. Understand effective leadership behaviour theory and practice

Unit 7.1    Organisational Behaviour 

Scenario

You have seen a recruitment advertisement for the position of ‘Organisational Development Officer’ at a large organisation in the City.  Following your application, you have been shortlisted for interview and have been asked to complete a number of tasks to demonstrate

• your knowledge and understanding of effective leadership behaviour,
• the impact of organisational structures and cultures on effectiveness
• how organisations can improve the effectiveness of employees in responding to business opportunities.

Activity 1

As part of the selection process, you have been asked to prepare a report to submit at your interview. In this report you must demonstrate your understanding of effective leadership behaviour theory and leadership practice.

Your report must cover the following topics:

a)    an evaluation of leadership theories

b)   an evaluation of the impact of managerial styles on organisational effectiveness

c)    an analysis of how motivational theory can inform employee motivation

d)   an analysis of theories relating to work relationships and interaction 

Assessment Criteria 1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4

Activity 2

You have been asked to give a presentation for the interview panel to demonstrate your understanding of the impact of organisational structures and cultures on the effectiveness of the organisation.

Your presentation must cover the following topics:

• an analysis of the characteristics of different organisational structures
• evaluate the importance of organisational culture theory in developing organisational effectiveness

You will need to produce your notes for the presentation and have appropriate hand-outs for the panel detailing the topics covered.

To support your presentation, the panel have requested an information booklet, which must cover the following topics:

• an analysis of how organisations can facilitate innovation and creativity
• an assessment of the importance of learning in organisations
• an evaluation of effectiveness of team working
• an analysis of the effective management of change in organisations 

Assessment Criteria 2.1/2.2/3.1/3.2/3.3/3.4

Activity 3

Following your interview, the panel have found it difficult to select one applicant and have asked you to complete a final selection task applied to a specific organisation of your choice.  You must create an information pack which demonstrates your understanding of how the organisation can improve employee effectiveness to respond to business opportunities.

Your information pack must include:

• an analysis of the culture and structure of the chosen organisation, including an evaluation of how they impact on its effectiveness

Assessment Criteria 2.3

Activity 4

Congratulations - you have been selected as the new Organisational Development Officer.  One of your first tasks is to evaluate the effectiveness of organisational decision making.   Your line manager has asked you for a report.   

Your report must include:

• an analysis of different approaches to organisational decision making
• an assessment of management approaches to risk and uncertainty in decision making

Following your preparatory work, your manager would like you to apply your understanding by including in your report:

• an evaluation of the effectiveness of organisational decisions in an organisation of your choice.

Your report should be informative and well presented.  

Assessment Criteria 4.1/4.2/4.3

Learning Outcomes 1. Understand effective leadership behaviour theory and practice 2. Understand how organisational structures and culture impact on the effectiveness of the organisation 3. Understand how the organisation can improve employee effectiveness to respond to business opportunities 4. Understand organisational decision making