1

Esmeralda Bazan
Final Written Assignment
ORGL-4341: Management Theory I
Professor: Nancy M. Gonzalez
Fall Session I - 2016
2

Function 1: Planning

Motivation is the effect of a complex set of psychological and external factors that cause

a person to perform a certain way while maintaining effort and persistence. It takes commitment

and great leadership to motivate others. As a leader, one must create an environment of hope

among the employees. Hope is a state of mind that includes optimism, an image of the future that

is challenging and a belief that we can do something to move towards a vision. A leader can

inspire hope by tying work to a clear, compelling vision and ensure that the employees focus on

a mission rather than the problems.

If I had the responsibility of managing an organization with such a diverse cultural

group, I would take the time to gain knowledge of each of the cultures to become more familiar

with their customs. Analyze what are the policies and procedures of the organizations and what

are the changes that must be made to meet the needs of such a diverse group. I would start by

planning objectives, evaluating the environment, identify and evaluate what are the alternatives,

then select the best solution to start implementing the plan. Once the plan has been implemented,

I will monitor the progress to see if they are the results that are expected and make modifications

that are needed. I will assign responsibilities according to their skills and motivate them to

acquire knowledge of other departments. Praise them and acknowledge their efforts offer

opportunities for advancement to obtain higher paying positions. Encourage them to work

smarter, not harder take care of them making sure that their basic needs are met. When an

employees needs are met, they will feel better and will have a better performance. Treat each of

the members of the organization with respect makes them part of the planning process. Converse

with them on a daily basis to make them feel like part of the group get them involved, make
3

everyone feel valued let them know that their work is meaningful. Recognize their intelligence

make them feel part of the strategic process to help the organization rebirth to success.

Get them involved inquire their input and allow them to give suggestions on how to

improve performance and make the team prosper, offer interesting work and provide feedback on

their performance. Take time to listen to their advice and implement it if needed in their

department. Ask employees for their input and make sure that the outcomes at work are fair.

Take time to talk to them, ask how they feel about the organization make them feel comfortable

if they have questions; make sure to answer their questions. I will use age diversity in the

organization as a great asset it will create an environment of knowledge sharing where each

generation will bring different skills to help the team grow. I will also take the time to analyze

and inquire about the reasons gender has split them. Show empathy for their concerns makes sure

that they understand that you care about their hopes, desires, and needs. If a manager is available

to listen and understand the concerns of his team in return, they will always be there for the

company.

Function 2: Organizing

I have done some research on my hometown government and have come to the

conclusion that Rio Grande City is a lot like a spider organization. After reading about the spider

and starfish organizations in chapter nine, I started to compare them to see which one best

resembles my local government. In a spider structure all the orders and actions are commanded

solely by the head or brain, and when a limb is missing, it will merely die, and no longer is a part

of the spider and if the brain dies the rest of the creature will also die. A spider organization is
4

traditional, hierarchical, as well as mechanically. All decisions are made by the higher up

positions and are then moved down the chain of command.

While starfish organizations are very different, unlike the spider the legs of the starfish

will act individually from one another, running smoothly and gracefully around all obstacles.

Also the brain the starfish is not making all the decisions or having any control of its actions, all

of its knowledge for it to stay healthy, adapt as well as change is self-contained in various parts

of the starfishs body. That means even if you were to cut off one of its legs a new one will grow

back and in some cases, it becomes an entirely new organism; it is built to adapt and survive

threats for it to thrive in the face of adversity.

My hometown is a spider organization based on that it elects public officials like the

major, judge and other members of the commerce that serve as the head or brain for the city

controlling the court system, school district, as well as the common law of the city. Opposed to

the starfish in the sense that the town is governed by politicians who are more interested in who

you are, what you have, whom you know and where you come from. All of its power is built

around money and the more money you pose, the more pull you have in making important city

decisions, getting hired in local school districts and getting a well-payed position within the city.

All the decisions are made by individuals within higher level positions than will have a final

word on how to run the city. City officials must take time to listen to what the citizens needs

rather than providing what they feel they need. They look for what would be the most beneficial

for the city economically instead of what would be best for the citizens of the community.
5

Function 3: Leading

Richard was assigned to this project because the company feels that the client will relate

to him. They see this as an asset that may contribute to the company acquiring the project. Yes,

the stereotype is playing a role in this scenario the company feels that Richard nationality will be

a key factor in the persuasion process. Stereotypes are defined in chapter four as a hard and often

negative biases used to describe or judge persons based on their membership in a social group. I

feel that selective perception is what moved them to give Richard this assignment this is when

consciously or unconsciously we focus on certain parts of messages and ignore others.

Stereotyping and selective perception has been linked to prejudice and often a hostile attitude

towards others.

Richard should take the opportunity and prove to the company that he is capable of

getting this project. I feel that his race has not been what entirely been the factor of his invitation

to join the organization team making a presentation. The company sees that he is an intelligent

and enthusiastic associate that will add value to the organization. He will be the one that will

have a client-facing role in the project because the company feels that the potential client will

feel welcomed.

Leaders in organizations need to consider that no two people think the same and that they

may have the same race but different work ethics. Who knows what the outcome of Richards

presentation was, but at the end, it will be a valuable learning experience. This scenario becomes

an ethical dilemma when we decide to judge others based on their looks and nationality. We as

members should see others as members that have much valuable asset to an organization
6

Function 4: Control

What are the organizational control processes that South Texas College is implementing

that ensure quality, efficiency, and profitability? South Texas College vision statement is to

advance regional prosperity through education for a better quality of life in our community. STC

mission is to increase postsecondary readiness, access and success for every student enrolled by

building partnerships, leading innovations and scaling practices and policies. It is a higher

education system has been dedicated to preparing students to be a workforce success. STC has

always had a commitment to planning for the student best interest and ensuring that every

student succeeds in completing their education.

The control process was defined in chapter 12 as an organization's system for establishing

a standard to accomplish goals, monitoring and measuring performance, comparing performance

to standards, and taking corrective action if necessary. STC uses many forms of control processes

to ensure quality and efficiency they give a college handbook to every student that contained the

college vision and mission statement. Rules, policies, admission checklist, code of conduct,

financial aid, advising services and degree plan guides are only a few of the information that is

provided to any student thats attending the college or plans to enroll.

I am enrolled in a Bachelor of Applied Science Organizational Leadership and intend to

graduate in the spring of 2017. To graduate, I have to have a minimum of an overall average of

C which is a 2.0 GPA. Entry program requirement is TSI complete, and a GPA of 2.5 my

attendance and performance in the courses are monitored by an academic coach that is guiding

help me achieve my educational goals. I can honestly say from my personal experience that STC

is an institution that is committed to the success of every student.

7

References:

McKee Annie, (2012) Management a Focus on Leaders 2nd edition, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.