Concepts of Organizational Behavior

Personality is defined as individual stable and unique pattern of thinking, acting, reacting and feeling towards social environment. Some people prioritize harmony in social relationships while some people are interested in dominance and power. On the other hand, some people are imaginative and possess unconventional ideas. These traits affect the individual, work related and interpersonal behaviors within an organization. In other words, personality is a set of distinctive personal feature and characteristics that include competencies, attitudes, emotions, and interests. (Gordon, 2001).

Team dynamics are unforeseen forces operating between groups or people. Typically, team dynamics strongly influence the method a team behaves performs or reacts. Team dynamics are created based on the personalities of the team, and working relationship with people. Typically, the team dynamics is an effective tool that can be used to tap skills of different group of people. Increasing number of organizations has identified that individual personality differences is an effective tool that affect team dynamics.

Objective of this paper is to investigate how individual differences in personality have been able to affect team dynamics.

Discussion

Peterson, Smith, Martorana, et al. (2003) identify team composition as overall mix of features and characteristics of two or more individuals who interact individually in order to achieve common objectives. Team composition can be either homogenous where all members have the same attributes and personalities or heterogeneous where team members possess significant different personalities or attributes. In essence, differences in attributes are the key factor that influences team performances. The attributes of team member include skills, competencies, ability and experiences. Combination of these attributes dictates the overall performances outcomes of a team.

Lee, (2006) supports this argument by pointing out that team performances depends on the qualities of the group and these qualities are the major factors that enhance team performances. Mello and Martin (2006) point out that heterogeneous team perform better than homogenous team because of the mixture of attributes, traits and performances. For example, a team that composes of demographically diverse attributes is likely to use divergence idea to achieve team objectives. In other words, heterogeneous team delivers a wider variety to solutions to a given problem.

Typically, people differ in their behaviors. For example, internalizers are able to control their actions and lives. On the other hand, externalizers believe that other should control their lives and advancement. In these perspectives, organizations can form a team that composes of internalizers and externalizers to enhance a team dynamics. Internalizers are able to implement advancement strategies while the externalizers rely on the guidance of other member of the team.

Gordon, (2001) differentiates characteristics of Type A from Type B individuals because these personalities reflect individual competitiveness, perfectionism, achievement as well as ability of individual to relax. Type A individual do things quickly, always feel rushed, often hostile and angry. On the other hand, Type B are individuals who always feel relaxed, express their feelings and are able to do one thing at a time. Type A can demonstrate higher job involvement, attendance and effort than a Type B group of individual. Moreover, Type A individuals is competitiveness, and multitaskers who will like to win at all times. In essence, the positive part of Type A behaviors can enhance team dynamic which enhance overall organizational performances.

Model of introversion - extroversion also provide another differences in individual that can affect team dynamics. The model classifies people based on the level of interaction. The introverts are quiet individuals, able to achieve concentrations, tend to be shy, work contentedly alone and dislike disruption. These set of individuals have ability to develop ideas and concentrate intensely, which tends to be inwardly directed and reflective. On the other hand, extroverts are outgoing people and like to be aggressive. Combining both extroverts and introverts to form a team can enhance team dynamics which later enhance organizational performances. Grant, Gino, and Hofman, (2013) argue that combination of both introvert and extrovert can make organization to develop an effective team dynamics. For example, the extroverts are dominant, outgoing people and have ability to become best leaders. These set of individuals are more effective in performing a supervising roles. On the other hand, introverts are innovative, creative and have ability to develop ideas that extroverts will be able to promote to enhance organizational effectiveness. Moreover, introverts are analytical, introspective. On the other hand, extroverts are active, vocal and have ability to express ideas. Meanwhile, introverts team member will require extroverts in order to initiate verbal discussions. Extroverts also require introvert to develop skills to solve problems.

Intuition or sensing measures how individuals process information through instinctual processes or physical senses. A sensing individual is factual and visual oriented. On the other hand, intuitive individual tends to approach life in more creative and open strategy. In a team environment, intuitive team member require sensing personality to make them aware of facts. Conversely, sensing individual require intuitive to get things done in a precise and pragmatic manner.

More importantly, feeling or thinking type of personality refers to the methods individual makes decision. Thinkers reach conclusion based on rules and external standards. Thinkers are able to excel by putting things in a logical order. The thinkers are rational, analytical and logical in their personalities. On the other hand, feelers are concerned with protecting values and feelings and tend to sympathetic, persuasive and loyal. In a team environment, thinkers are very effective in articulating logical reasons while feelers have ability to bring people together.

Barrett, (2013) support this argument by pointing out that individuals form team within an organization to achieve goals, which they are unable to achieve alone.

Mohammed, and Angel, (2003) reveals that increasing number of organizations are using team to achieve organizational objectives. The author point out that not all teams perform effectively, sometimes, the outcome of team can be disastrous. Thus, combination of individuals having different personalities, skills, knowledge, and abilities can enhance a team dynamics.

Different theories have provided arguments that reveal how individual attributes in personality affect team dynamics. The emerging theoretical framework points out that a composition variables that influence team outcomes include "the variable being assessed, the type of aggregation method used, and the nature of the team task." (Mohammed and Angel 2003 p652). Handa, and Aastha, (2014) reveal that Big Five Personality model is a well develop personality model that include extraversion, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness. Managers can enhance an effective team dynamics by combining different personalities. Diagnosing these personalities can assist management to combine individuals with different traits to perform job tasks and enhance a team dynamics.

Conclusion

This essay assesses the methods individual differences affect a team dynamics. The paper differentiates several differences in individual personalities. For example, introverts are individuals who are analytic and capable of solving problems alone. On the other hand, extrovert is social and likes to mix with people. The study also differentiates between Type A and Type B personalities, intuitive or sensing type of personalities, Management can achieve the best outcomes from team member by combining individuals with different traits and attributes. For example, an introvert can assist extrovert to be analytical and solve problem extroverts will not able to solve alone. On the other hand, extroverts can assist introverts to perform leadership roles.