Insular Insurance Company - Essay Example

Insular Insurance Company Table of Contents Employee Stresses in the company and recommendations for reducing stresses 3 Organizational work teams4 Approach to Leadership and Recommendations 4 Interpersonal conflicts and measures to mitigate them 5 References 7 Employee Stresses in the company and recommendations for reducing stresses The analysis reveals that managers act as a constant guidance and director for employees in their work activities. This could act as a major hurdle for them as they would not be allowed to work independently at their will. This could create pressure on them causing organizational stress. It is also seen that Insular Insurance Company has a convention of treating all its employees on the same platform and considering them as members belonging to the same family. On one hand this can be effective in creating a culture of friendliness and cohesion. However, on the other hand this could erode off the needed competitive environment in the organization. This way, employees deserving rewards and recognition for good work could be kept from getting their deserving recognition and this could create frustrations, resentment and stress levels in the organization (Nasurdin, n.d., p.2). Stress levels in the organization could be reduced by allowing employees to work independently towards work objectives. However, a constant monitoring and evaluation would be required to determine the extent to which performances were proceeding as per organizational targets. Employees must be greater participation in decision making and work activities such that they do not get burdened with constant direction and monitoring. Secondly, the organization must strive towards creating a competitive culture and environment in which employees are recognized as per their merits and performance at the workplace. All employees must not be treated on the same platform as this would be unfair for the highly productive ones and who deserves recognition and rewards. Organizational work teams It is important to distribute the work activities among work teams. In this, each team would be responsible for carrying out a particular work activity and every activity of members would be directed towards the attainment of targets set particularly for that team. Some of the critical elements of such team work would be mutual dependence, interrelatedness and assistance. It is crucial that team members assist each other out with their work activities in order to get a particular job done. One of the other critical components of effective team work is leadership. It is important that one of the team members assume leadership roles and responsibilities and guides the entire team towards the purpose. He plays the role of motivator, mentor and constant support for members of the team. Since the idea is to encourage group work and team activities, no single team members must be given greater allowance for decision making. Members must be given equal opportunities to provide their views regarding any decision in the group. The decision most suitable would be chosen for the purpose. However, the leader is accountable for any decisions taken. He retains the authority to accept or reject a decision based on rationality and purpose. He also retains the authority to rewards his members for a favorable decision made which benefits the organization (Harvey, Millett & Smith, n.d., p.5). Approach to Leadership and Recommendations In Insular Insurance Company, organizational leaders primarily play the role of coach or father. This is demonstrated by the Path Goal theory of House, which says that the manager’s role is to guide his subordinates towards choosing the best possible path for accomplishing goals. He is the facilitator of right strategies for attaining goals in the organization. Additionally he also has personal relationships with members such that he had knowledge of their needs and requirements. Knowing the characteristics of his members allows him to determine the way he coaches, leads and motivates them at the workplace. In this organization leaders and managers are found to be supportive, participative, and achievement oriented and highly friendly which allows employees to come up with any issues they want and at any point of time too. According to the best practices of leadership, it is recommended that the leaders must be chosen from amongst the team members and members of group, rather than placed from the top position. This makes them more acquainted with the groups’ problems and characteristics which further help him to chose the right strategies and take the right decisions for his teams. Secondly, it is also recommended that the leader allows his members to provide their views and suggestions towards any issue or activity. Though he retains the authority to decide whether to choose or reject the plan, he must allow team members to participate in decision making. This can not only help to attain their confidence but also motivates them for furthering and bettering their performance (Executive Education, 2012). Interpersonal conflicts and measures to mitigate them Interpersonal conflicts can arise from differences in opinion among group members. Since organizational leaders allow members to present their views and suggestions, it is possible that such views might have clashes and become causes of conflicts. Conflicts can also arise of improper communication within the organization. Members might not have detailed information with regards to work responsibilities which could also create differences between management and employees. Conflicts may also arise when members are not given due respect and recognition for their contributions in the organization. This is a common phenomenon with team work and group activities, where members tend to shirk from their own responsibilities and also try to take the credit from other’s works. Interpersonal conflicts can be handled best by being rational with choices of views of members. Organizational leaders must be transparent and rational about the fact why they accept a certain view of a member. They must support by providing reason, explanation and motives. Transparency could remove doubts from group members and enhance confidence, faith and devotion of members. An enhanced and efficient communication channel is recommended in this context which can be accessed by all employees in the organization. Also the organization must treat employees according to the merits and contributions in the organization. Highly talented and employees must be given their due compensation, rewards and recognition such that contributions can be differentiated from the less productive employees. This would help to keep them motivated and faithful towards the organization and eliminate interpersonal conflicts out of issues like employees not getting their due benefits. References Nasurdin, A. M., Ramayah, T. & Kemaresan, S. (No Date). Organizational stressors and job stress among managers: the moderating role of neuroticism. Retrieved on May 24, 2012 from http://ramayah.com/journalarticlespdf/organizationalstressors.pdf. Harvey, S., Millett, B. & Smith, D. (No Date). Developing successful teams in organizations. Retrieved on May 24, 2012 from http://www.usq.edu.au/extrafiles/business/journals/HRMJournal/AJMOBarticles/DEVELOPING%20SUCCESSFUL%20TEAMS%20IN%20ORGANISATIONS.pdf. Executive Education. (2012). Leadership Best Practices. Retrieved on May 24, 2012 from http://www.exed.hbs.edu/programs/lbp/Pages/default.aspx. Read More