Organizational Behavior: Applied Frameworks

People Management: Your OB Toolkit

Unlock your team’s potential with these proven frameworks.

1. What Motivates Your Team? (Maslow & Herzberg)

• Maslow: Are basic needs met first (pay, safety)? Then focus on belonging, esteem, self-actualization.
• Herzberg:
  • Hygiene Factors: Are salaries fair, working conditions good, policies clear? (Prevents dissatisfaction).
  • Motivators: Are there opportunities for achievement, recognition, growth, challenging work? (Creates satisfaction).
• Action: Don’t just fix what’s bad (hygiene); build what’s good (motivators)!

2. How Should You Lead This Person? (Situational Leadership)

• Assess Follower Readiness: For each task, how competent and committed is the person?
  • Low Competence, High Commitment: Use “Selling” (High Task, High Relationship).
  • High Competence, Low Commitment: Use “Participating” (Low Task, High Relationship).
  • High Competence, High Commitment: Use “Delegating” (Low Task, Low Relationship).
• Action: Adapt your style to the individual and the task.

3. Where is Your Team Stuck? (Tuckman’s Stages)

• Forming: New team. (Your role: Give direction).
• Storming: Conflict, power struggles. (Your role: Mediate, resolve conflict).
• Norming: Cohesion, norms. (Your role: Empower).
• Performing: High productivity. (Your role: Delegate, remove obstacles).
• Action: Recognize the stage and adjust your leadership.

Golden Rule: People are your greatest asset. Understanding human behavior at work is the key to unlocking their full potential and achieving business goals.