Understanding Individual Behaviour in Organisations: Insights for Managers and Leaders
Understanding individual behaviour is a cornerstone of the field of Organisational Behaviour (OB). It represents the micro-level of analysis, focusing on how individuals think, feel, and act within the workplace. As Robbins and Judge (2021) explain, individual behaviour encompasses psychological and behavioural dimensions such as attitudes, personality traits, motivation, perception, learning, and decision-making. Together, these elements influence how employees interact, perform, and adapt in an organisational context. For managers and leaders, leveraging insights from OB is vital to predict, manage, and enhance employee performance, job satisfaction, and overall organisational effectiveness (Gibson et al., 2011; Luthans, 2011). Attitudes and Job Satisfaction Attitudes reflect the evaluative statements employees make about aspects of their work, such as job roles, supervisors, or organisational culture. They consist of cognitive, affective, and behavioural components (McShane and Von Glinow, 2018). Positive workplace attitudes are strongly linked to job satisfaction, which is defined as the extent to which individuals feel content and fulfilled by their jobs. Empirical studies have shown that high job satisfaction contributes to lower turnover rates, improved productivity, and stronger organisational commitment (Judge and Kammeyer-Mueller, 2012). Managers influence attitudes through recognition schemes, supportive leadership, and transparent communication channels. Regular feedback and professional development opportunities strengthen employees’ sense of belonging. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (2021), employees who perceive fairness and career growth opportunities are significantly more engaged and motivated. In contrast, negative attitudes are associated with absenteeism, reduced productivity, and workplace conflict (Brief and Weiss, 2002). Personality Traits and Workplace Dynamics Personality is another critical determinant of workplace behaviour. The Big Five Personality Traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability—are widely recognised predictors of workplace performance (Goldberg, 1993). For instance, individuals high in conscientiousness are reliable and organised, making them suitable for roles requiring precision. Those high in extraversion thrive in social and collaborative environments. Robbins and Judge (2021) highlight the managerial importance of understanding personality differences to ensure person–job fit. Personality assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or Big Five models can be employed during recruitment to match employees with appropriate roles. Pinder (2014) argues that aligning personality with job requirements enhances productivity, job satisfaction, and team cohesion. However, managers must also be cautious: personality diversity can bring creativity but may also lead to interpersonal conflict if not properly managed (Mount et al., 1998). Thus, fostering an inclusive climate where different traits are valued is essential. Motivation and Performance Motivation is a central driver of individual and organisational performance. Theories such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory provide frameworks for understanding motivational drivers. Maslow’s model posits that individuals progress through needs from physiological to self-actualisation (Verywell Mind, 2024). Herzberg distinguishes between motivators (intrinsic factors like recognition and responsibility) and hygiene factors (extrinsic conditions like pay and working conditions) (MindTools, 2024). Contemporary motivation theories, such as Self-Determination Theory (Deci and Ryan, 2000), emphasise the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Research suggests that intrinsic motivation, fuelled by meaningful work and opportunities for personal growth, leads to more sustainable performance compared to reliance on extrinsic rewards (Rynes, Gerhart and Minette, 2004). Managers should therefore adopt a contingency approach: while financial incentives remain important, they must be complemented by career development, flexible working arrangements, and recognition of individual contributions (Latham and Pinder, 2005). Perception and Organisational Justice Perception refers to the process through which individuals interpret and make sense of their environment. Since perception is inherently subjective, shaped by experiences, culture, and biases, it has significant implications for workplace behaviour (Schneider and Barbera, 2014). For instance, an employee may perceive managerial feedback as constructive criticism, while another may interpret it as unfair criticism. The concept of organisational justice—employees’ perceptions of fairness in decision-making, distribution of resources, and interpersonal treatment—is particularly important. Research demonstrates that high levels of perceived fairness enhance trust, commitment, and organisational citizenship behaviours (Colquitt et al., 2001). Conversely, perceived injustice often leads to workplace deviance and withdrawal. Managers can shape perceptions by ensuring transparent decision-making processes, providing rational explanations for policies, and treating employees with respect (SHRM, 2021). Learning and Adaptability Learning in organisations is essential for adaptability and innovation. Robbins and Judge (2021) stress the importance of continuous learning in today’s dynamic business environment. Salas et al. (2012) identify effective training, mentorship, and developmental opportunities as central to building a capable workforce. Learning theories, such as behaviourist learning (through reinforcement) and social learning theory (through modelling), help explain how employees acquire skills. Encouraging a learning culture—where employees are supported to experiment, share knowledge, and adapt—has been linked to greater innovation and organisational resilience (Argote, 2013). Managers can facilitate this by investing in training programmes, encouraging knowledge-sharing platforms, and rewarding adaptability. As technology disrupts industries, adaptability through learning becomes a strategic necessity (Luthans, 2011). Decision-Making Processes Decision-making is another critical element of individual behaviour. Employees, from frontline workers to executives, make choices that affect organisational outcomes. However, research shows that decision-making is prone to cognitive biases and heuristics, such as overconfidence or confirmation bias (Kahneman, 2011). Robbins and Judge (2021) recommend managerial strategies to improve decision-making, including structured frameworks, collaborative approaches, and diverse perspectives. Group decision-making can help mitigate biases but may also suffer from groupthink if dissenting voices are suppressed (Janis, 1982). To address this, managers should promote psychological safety, encourage debate, and provide decision-making training (Gibson et al., 2011). Understanding individual behaviour within the framework of Organisational Behaviour equips managers and leaders with tools to predict, influence, and improve employee performance and satisfaction. Attitudes, personality traits, motivation, perception, learning, and decision-making collectively shape workplace outcomes. By addressing these aspects strategically, managers can create supportive environments that enhance employee engagement, organisational justice, adaptability, and innovation. As Robbins and Judge (2021) argue, the ability to understand and manage people is not just a managerial skill but a cornerstone of sustainable organisational success in today’s competitive landscape. References Argote, L. (2013) Organizational Learning: Creating, Retaining and Transferring Knowledge. 2nd ed. Springer. Brief, A. P., & Weiss, H. M. (2002) ‘Organizational behaviour: Affect in the workplace’, Annual … Read more
