Glossary

ability

Possession of the means or skill to do something

Active listening

Giving the sender full, undisturbed attention with the intention of fully receiving his or her message

aggressive communicator

Forceful communication style often carried out in a loud and hostile manner

assertive communicator

Productive communication style used by those who express their ideas while listening attentively to others

Attraction

Mechanism by which employees align and are drawn to organizations that match individual culture, preferences, and working style. \n

Attraction-selection-attrition

A theory holding that (1) individuals are attracted to organizations whose members are similar to themselves in terms of personality, values, interests, and other attributes; (2) organizations are more likely to select those who possess knowledge, skills, and abilities similar to the ones their existing members possess; and (3) over time, those who do not fit in well are more likely to leave

Attraction–selection–attrition (A–S–A)

A theory holding that (1) individuals are attracted to organizations whose members are similar to themselves in terms of personality, values, interests, and other attributes; (2) organizations are more likely to select those who possess knowledge, skills, and abilities similar to the ones their existing members possess; and (3) over time, those who do not fit in well are more likely to leave \n

Attrition

The unpredictable and uncontrollable but normal reduction of work force due to resignations, retirement, sickness, or death

Autocratic style

Leadership style that keeps close control over subordinates and does not seek much input from others

barrier to effective communication

Factor that prevents the receiver from receiving and understanding the message accurately

behavioral event interviews

Guided interview questions where individuals describe their thoughts and feelings during specific situations and a coach helps establish a development plan

channel

Means of passing information from sender to recipient, such as via face-to-face meeting or telephone call \n

code of ethics

Guide that publicly sets out an organization’s key values and ethical obligations

Coercive power

Ability to take something away or punish someone for noncompliance

Communication

Sharing understanding and meaning via oral, nonverbal, and written forms \n

communication style

Dominant way in which an individual interacts and exchanges information with others

Competing Values Framework (CVF) model

Framework for assessing organizational culture and organizational dynamics \n

competing values framework model

Framework for assessing organizational culture and organizational dynamics

Consideration

The relationship oriented behaviors of a leader

corporate culture

The attitudes, values, and standards of behavior that distinguishes one organization from another

corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Philosophy in which a company voluntarily engages in actions that benefit society, be it economically, socially, politically, or environmentally

cultural alignment

Linking of organizational goals with the employees' personal goals \n

cultural diversity

The existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a workplace \n

CVF model

Framework for assessing organizational culture and organizational dynamics \n

Design thinking

A method of problem-solving strategy wherein the data collected are expressed visually in order to create new strategies, ways, and methods to solve problems, create opportunities, or strengthen weaknesses

Effective communication

When information transmitted is interpreted by the receiver in the way it was intended by the sender

emotional intelligence

The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions and handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically

Emotional quotient

The level of a person's emotional intelligence, often as represented by a score in a standardized test

empathy

Being attuned and sensitive to the emotional states of others

employee-member-centered behaviors

Behaviors that focus on supporting employees

employee–member-centered behaviors

Behaviors that focus on supporting employees

EQ

The level of a person's emotional intelligence, often as represented by a score in a standardized test

Ethics

Principles that serve as a compass about how to behave

Expert power

Power based on knowledge and special skill or experience

Formal leaders

A person who is officially designated as the leader of a group

greenwashing

When organizations carry about CSR missions in an inauthentic way, using them to increase publicity rather than to spur real change

Idealized influence

Form of transformational leadership in which a leader models behaviors and attitude that subordinates choose to emulate

illegal-ethical

Dilemma in which the ethical choice would be in violation of established laws

individual contributor

Someone who uses their personal skills to contribute to a team \n

Individualized consideration

Form of transformational leadership in which a leader takes the time to learn about the talents of each individual and puts them to good use

Influence tactics

The way individuals attempt to influence one another in organizations \n

Informal leaders

A person who is not officially appointed as the head of a group

Information power

Power that stems from when a leader possesses knowledge that others need or want

Initiating

The task-related behaviors of a leader

inspirational appeals

Engage values, emotions, and beliefs to gain support for course of action

Inspirational motivation

Form of transformational leadership in which a leader inspires a passionate vision among subordinates or the organization itself

Intellectual stimulation

Form of transformational leadership in which a leader recognizes the intellect of subordinates and empowers them to contribute towards the success or vision of the organization

Intelligence

The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills

intelligence quotient

A number representing a person's reasoning ability as compared to the statistical norm or average for their age

Internal transparency

Degree to which an organization operates with openness, communication, and accountability

international business culture

Variations in attitudes, values, goals, and practices shared by individuals, organizations, or societies based on geography

Job-centered behaviors

Refers to supervisory functions, such as planning, scheduling, coordinating work activities, and providing resources

journaling

Self-reflective process of recording thoughts and emotions from day to day in order to identify patterns

Knowledge

Facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education

Laissez-faire style

A largely "hands-off" leadership style that provides considerable freedom to subordinates

leader

A person who holds a dominant position in a field and can exercise a high degree of control or influence over others

Leadership

The activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do so \n

leadership style

Manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people

legal

An act that is allowed or is in conformity with the law of the land

legal-ethical

When the law and personal or organizational ethics are in accordance with each other

legal-unethical

Dilemma in which established laws are not in accordance or do not uphold the ethical choice

Legitimate power

Power that comes from one’s organizational role or position

locus of control

Extent to which an entity believes the current and anticipated circumstances and their response to them are within their control

Machiavellian

Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous

manager

An individual who oversees a certain group of tasks or a certain subset of a company and often has a staff of people who report to them

McKinsey 7-S

An organizational model developed in the 1980s by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman (the authors of "In Search of Excellence") that analyzes seven key internal aspects of an organization that need to be aligned if it is to achieve its objectives and improve performance \n

McKinsey 7S

An organizational model developed in the 1980s by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman (the authors of "In Search of Excellence") that analyzes seven key internal aspects of an organization that need to be aligned if it is to achieve its objectives and improve performance

Mechanistic

Hierarchical, bureaucratic, organizational structure characterized by (1) centralization of authority, (2) formalization of procedures and practices, and (3) specialization of functions \n

meditation

Focusing all of your energy and attention on one specific area of the present moment

mindfulness

Consciousness of the present moment

Morals

Rules people develop as a result of cultural norms and values and are, traditionally passed down through generations and characterize a cultural group

motivation

Emotional tendencies that impact your ability to reach personal goals

Nonverbal communication

Expressing information without the use of spoken or written words such as using body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and even silence

Oral communication

Expressing information or ideas through spoken words

Organic

Organizational structure characterized by (1) flatness: communications and interactions are horizontal, (2) low specialization: knowledge resides wherever it is most useful, and (3) decentralization: great deal of formal and informal participation in decision-making \n

Organizational culture

The shared values, beliefs, and norms of an organization that affect the strategies and operating procedures of the business \n

Organizational ethics

Rules, principles, and standards for deciding what is morally right or wrong when doing business

Organizational structure

A system used to define a hierarchy within an organization \n

Participative style

Leadership style that seeks input from subordinates

passive communicator

Tentative communication style used by those who are hesitant to speak up

passive-aggressive communication style

Indirect communication style that uses hidden messages to express needs and ideas

Pentagon Papers

Illegal-ethical conflict in which U.S. government officials leaked top secret papers to inform the public about government actions during the Vietnam War

Pentagon Papers Case

Illegal-ethical conflict in which U.S. government officials leaked top secret papers to inform the public about government actions during the Vietnam War

people-oriented style

Leadership style that is primarily concerned with interpersonal relations in the workplace

Person–job fit

The degree to which a person’s skill, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics match the job demands \n

Person–organization fit

The degree to which a person’s values, personality, goals, and other characteristics match those of the organization \n

Personal communication

Information that is exchanged between sender and recipient for personal purposes

Personal competencies

Emotional intelligence competencies related to self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation

personal ethics

Codes, principles, and values that shape people's interactions with others

personality

The relatively stable feelings, thoughts, and behavioral patterns a person has

Power

The ability to influence the behavior of others to get what you want \n

Process management

The management initiative to design work processes so that they align with the organization's strategic goals

professional communication

Information that is exchanged in a business context for the commercial benefit of an organization

Rational persuasion

Using facts, data, and logical arguments to try to convince others that one point of view is the best alternative

Referent power

Ability of the leader to influence people because of their attraction and respect to the leader

rehearsing

When the receiver is preparing what to say in response instead of actively listening to sender's message

Relationship management

Part of a strategy to engage existing customers in order to retain them and understand their evolving needs or demands. It is a business paradigm where a business views the association with its patrons as an ongoing relationship rather than a mere transaction.

Reward power

Ability to grant a reward to an employee in exchange for job performance

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Law aimed at improving corporate transparency by requiring clear reporting practices

Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX)

Law aimed at improving corporate transparency by requiring clear reporting practices

Selection

Mechanism by which organizations choose employees for a specific role and/or fit.

self-awareness

Knowing your inner preferences, beliefs, and resources in order to recognize patterns in your behavior and thoughts

self-regulation

Controlling your thoughts and impulses in order to manage your internal state

simulation feedback

Participation in challenging emotional intelligence simulations in order to receive feedback on EQ competencies

Situational Theories of Leadership

Leadership theory that suggests that to be effective, leaders must adapt their style based on the circumstances

situational theories of leadership

Leadership theory that suggests that to be effective, leaders must adapt their style based on the circumstances

Skills

Experience and behaviors associated with the application of knowledge

Social competencies

Emotional intelligence competencies related to empathy and social skills

social skills

A broad range of behaviors related to managing relationships with others

Stakeholders

Those who have a stake in the performance and output of an organization, such as employees, unions, investors, suppliers, consumers, local and national governments, and communities

supportive communication

A strategy used to preserve a positive relationship between communicators while still addressing the problem at hand

surveys

Questionnaires that track preferred actions in specific emotional intelligence situations

task-oriented style

Leadership style that is primarily concerned job tasks

Transactional leadership

Leadership style that assumes employees have their own desires and will not be motivated without extrinsic rewards from leadership

Transformational leadership

Leadership style that assumes it is possible to intrinsically motivate employees so that their desires match those of leadership

Values

Stable life goals that people have that reflect what is most important to them

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

An IQ test designed to measure intelligence and cognitive ability in adults and older adolescents

WGU Code of Student Conduct

The organizational code of ethics that governs responsible and respectful behavior at WGU

whistleblowers

Those who tell the public or the authorities about alleged misconduct occurring in a government department, private company, or organization

World Trade Organization (WTO)

International organization tasked with promoting global trade, enforcing common trade regulations, and helping promote ethical behavior among members

Written communication

Expressing information in the form of written words