Satisfying the Need to Understand and Predict

Satisfying the Need to Understand and Predict

All of us have an inherent need to know about the world in which we live. This is particularly true in organizations because of their profound effect on our lives. We feel more comfortable when we can understand why organizational events occur and accurately anticipate future events. The field of organizational behavior uses systematic study to help us understand and predict organizational life. OB’s crystal ball isn’t perfectly clear because human behavior is influenced by a complex combination of factors. Nevertheless, OB helps us make sense of the workplace and, to some extent, predict what people will do under various conditions.

The OB knowledge presented in this book also gives you the opportunity to question and rebuild your personal theories that have developed through observation and experience. For example, what theories do you hold about effective leadership? Look at “It All Makes Sense,” the Self-Assessment Exercise at the end of this chapter. How many of these theoretical statements are true? Even if you answer most of them correctly, the information you will read in this book can further develop and crystallize your personal beliefs so that they more accurately model and predict organizational behavior.