How to Be Organizational Behaviorist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 16, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Organizational behavior is the study of how people interact with and within organizations. It examines how individuals, groups, and structures influence and impact behaviors and decisions within an organization. It is a key factor in understanding workplace dynamics and can have significant impacts on job performance, job satisfaction, and team dynamics.

Research has shown that organizational behavior can significantly influence the overall success of an organization, as employees who are engaged and motivated are more likely to perform better, be more productive, and have a greater commitment to the organization. Furthermore, organizational behavior can also affect employee turnover rates, as employees who feel valued and satisfied in their job are less likely to leave the organization.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming an Organizational Behaviorist is to earn a bachelors degree in a related field. Examples of degree programs include Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Psychology, or Sociology.
Gain Relevant Work Experience. It is important to gain relevant work experience in the field of organizational behavior. This can be done through internships, part-time jobs, volunteer positions, or even through a full-time job.
Pursue a Masters Degree. After gaining some work experience, it is important to pursue a masters degree in organizational behavior. This degree will help to prepare you for an advanced career in the field.
Become Certified. Upon completing your masters degree, it is important to become certified by the Society for Organizational Behaviorists. This certification will help employers easily identify your qualifications and experience in the field.
Join Professional Organizations. There are many professional organizations in the field of organizational behavior that can provide you with valuable resources and networking opportunities. Joining one of these organizations will help you stay up-to-date on industry trends and give you access to potential job openings.
Continue Your Education. It is important to continue your education in the field of organizational behavior. This can be done through taking additional classes, attending conferences, or even pursuing a doctoral degree in the field.

Organizational behaviorists suggest that staying ahead and efficient starts with understanding the underlying principles of organizational behavior. Good communication, clear goal-setting, and collaboration are all key components of an effective organizational structure and can help employees stay ahead and efficient. Furthermore, having a culture of recognition and rewards, along with providing employees with the necessary training and resources, helps to encourage a positive work atmosphere and boosts productivity.

creating an environment that values innovation, creativity, and problem-solving abilities encourages employees to remain engaged and motivated to stay ahead and efficient. With these strategies in place, organizations can improve their performance, foster a positive culture, and increase their efficiency.

You may want to check Behaviorist Consultant, Behavioral Health Coordinator, and Industrial Organizational Behaviorist for alternative.

Job Description

Human Resources Manager: Responsible for recruiting, onboarding, and training new employees, as well as managing employee performance, benefit programs, and payroll.
Leadership Coach: Helps employees identify their professional and personal goals and works with them to create action plans for achieving those goals.
Organizational Development Consultant: Advises organizations on how to improve their processes and structures to better meet their goals.
Change Management Specialist: Applies change management techniques to help an organization transition from one state to another.
Employee Engagement Manager: Designs and implements programs to increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
Conflict Resolution Specialist: Helps employees and teams resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently.
Culture Change Facilitator: Leads workshops and seminars to help organizations cultivate a more positive work culture.
Team Building Facilitator: Designs team-building activities and workshops to improve communication, collaboration, and morale.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively
Solid understanding of group dynamics and motivation
Understanding of organizational structures, processes and culture
Ability to create and facilitate change initiatives
Knowledge of systems thinking and decision making
Knowledge of human resource management practices
Ability to identify and analyze problems
Knowledge of organizational development strategies
Ability to develop effective teams and strengthen team dynamics
Understanding of different leadership styles and approaches
Expertise in conflict resolution and negotiation
Knowledge of training and development techniques
Ability to apply behavioral theories to the workplace
Expertise in coaching and mentoring

Organizational behaviorists are professionals who study the behavior of people within organizational settings. They apply their understanding of human behavior to improve workplace productivity and efficiency. The most important skill they must have is the ability to analyze the various factors that influence organizational behavior, such as the environment, culture, leadership, structure, and relationships.

They must be able to identify issues and develop solutions to address them. They must also be adept at communication, as they often work with teams of individuals from different backgrounds and must be able to effectively explain their ideas and solutions. organizational behaviorists must possess strong critical thinking skills in order to draw meaningful conclusions from their data and research.

Finally, they must be organized and detail-oriented, as they are often responsible for managing complex projects.

Applied Behaviorist, Behavioral Therapist, and Clinical Psychologist - Behavior Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experiences have you had related to organizational behavior?
How do you think organizational behavior can benefit organizations?
What strategies have you implemented to improve employee engagement and performance?
What do you think are the most important principles of organizational behavior and why?
What challenges have you faced when implementing organizational behavior initiatives?
How do you think culture influences organizational behavior?
How would you go about assessing organizational behavior in a given organization?
What techniques have you used to change undesirable behaviors in an organization?
How do you think technological advancements have impacted organizational behavior?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the field of organizational behavior?

Common Tools in Industry

Decision Making Tools. These tools help with analyzing data, planning and problem solving. (Eg: SWOT Analysis, Force Field Analysis)
Conflict Resolution Tools. These tools help in resolving disputes among employees. (Eg: Mediation, Negotiation)
Communication Tools. These tools help in effective communication between employees and management. (Eg: Surveys, Focus Groups)
Performance Management Tools. These tools assist in increasing employee performance by setting clear objectives and measuring results. (Eg: 360 Degree Feedback, Balanced Scorecard)
Change Management Tools. These tools help in managing and implementing changes within an organization. (Eg: ADKAR Model, Lewins Change Model)
Team Building Tools. These tools help in developing a productive and cohesive team environment. (Eg: Appreciative Inquiry, Team Bonding Activities)

Professional Organizations to Know

Academy of Management
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
American Psychological Association
International Association for Applied Psychology
International Society for the Study of Work and Organizational Values
Organizational Development Network
International Personnel Management Association
Society for Human Resource Management
Association for Psychological Type
American Society for Training and Development
International Association of Facilitators
International Coaching Federation

We also have Applied Behavioral Analysis Case Manager, Organizational Development Behaviorist, and Applied Behavior Analysis Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Organizational Culture. The shared values, beliefs, and norms of an organization that shape the attitudes and behaviors of its members.
Leadership. The ability to guide and influence a group of individuals to achieve collective objectives.
Motivation. The process in which individuals are energized to achieve their goals.
Change Management. The process of leading and implementing organizational change.
Group Dynamics. The behavior of people in a group or organization, including communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
Communication. The exchange of ideas, feelings, and information between two or more individuals.
Groupthink. The tendency of people to rely on the judgment of the group rather than their own independent judgment when making decisions.
Conflict Resolution. The process of resolving disputes and disagreements among individuals or groups in an organization.
Decision-Making. The process of weighing options and selecting the best course of action for achieving a goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Organizational Behaviorism?

Organizational Behaviorism is an approach to understanding and improving the behavior of individuals in organizations, by focusing on the relationships between the individual and their environment.

What are some of the key concepts of Organizational Behaviorism?

The key concepts of Organizational Behaviorism include job satisfaction, motivation, leadership, communication, group dynamics, decision-making, stress management, and organizational culture.

How does Organizational Behaviorism help organizations?

Organizational Behaviorism helps organizations by providing insights into how individuals interact with each other and their environment, and offers strategies for improving performance, communication, and collaboration.

Who are the main theorists of Organizational Behaviorism?

The main theorists of Organizational Behaviorism include Frederick Herzberg, Abraham Maslow, Douglas McGregor, and Victor Vroom.

What are the best practices for incorporating Organizational Behaviorism into an organization?

The best practices for incorporating Organizational Behaviorism into an organization include creating an environment that encourages open communication, creating a positive work culture, recognizing individual contributions, and fostering collaboration and team-work.

Web Resources

Organizational Behavior - PhD Field of Study | Stanford Graduate www.gsb.stanford.edu
Organizational Behavior - Stanford Graduate School www.gsb.stanford.edu
Organizational Behavior - Doctoral - Harvard Business School www.hbs.edu