Title: Credit Unit 3 Introduction
Course: SkillsCom BA 285 15.0 > Section: Credit Unit 3 Module 1

This Credit Unit provides an overview of the interpersonal and technological dimensions of communication in organizations. Communication is a skill that can be improved through reflective listening and this is a critical skill for success in the work place. This unit will review the five keys to effective supervisory communication along with five barriers to communication. Finally, this unit will wrap up the communication discussion with topics such as defensive and non-defensive communication, nonverbal communication, and the latest technologies for information management in organizations.

This unit will then shift the focus to groups and teams. Groups and teams continue to play a vital role in organizational behavior and performance. Advanced technologies give organizations the ability to use virtual teams that may have members from anywhere in the world. This unit offers a traditional discussion of group behavior and group development.

Building upon communication and group dynamics this Credit Unit will move to leadership. Leaders direct and guide followers in the organization, recognizing both roles as critical to the success of the organization. There is a positive relationship between leaders and followers in organizations, and a distinct difference between leadership and management.  Leaders may be autocratic, democratic, or laissez-faire in their approach. This section of the credit unit divides leadership theories into four schemes correlating to universal trait theories, universal behavioral theories, contingency theories, and contemporary theories of leadership. Several theories are examined, and the relationship between leaders, managers and followers is discussed.

Course Outcomes:

- Explain the foundations of group behavior in diverse organizational and cultural settings.
- Explain the foundations of individual behavior in diverse organizational and cultural settings.
- Discuss inter-group behavior.
- Describe why managers and entrepreneurs require a knowledge of organizational behavior.