Running head: practicing organizational citizenship 1

Practicing Communication, Collaboration, Problem Solving Skills, Ethics and

Organizational Citizenship
Beverly Rodriguez
Bellevue University

practicing organizational citizenship 2

Abstract
This paper discusses the key components for success in leadership and in a team. There are five
elements that we need to master including communication, collaboration, problem solving,
ethics, and practicing organizational citizenship. The paper examines the lessons learned from
working in a group during this course and how these relate to working in an organization. The
key takeaways from learning about these skills are that they all must be mastered for success.
Communication is the first and most crucial skill to master. It is prized among employers and
without it the other skills would not be possible. Following communication, the ability to work
together with a team or collaboration builds trust and understanding between coworkers. This
allows for the growth of strong problem solving skills. Acting ethically is a key component of
being a good organizational citizen and practicing organizational citizenship protects the
company and helps the team to achieve the goals that have been outlined for the organization.
Leaders who follow these five tenets are well poised for success.
Keywords: communication, organizational citizenship, workplace ethics

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Practicing Communication, Collaboration, Problem Solving Skills, Ethics and
Organizational Citizenship
Over the last six weeks weve covered topics that are foundations to being successful in
our collegiate careers. Understanding and putting into practice good communication, working
with others to accomplish group goals, learning how to overcome obstacles, behaving in a
morally upright manner and practicing good citizenship in our organization ensures that we can
accomplish our aspirations. The key is that each of the topics build upon one another, showing us
that it is not enough to practice one or two of the concepts. Without mastery of all of these skills,
we are not poised to be truly successful leaders.
Communication
Communication by far is the lynchpin when it comes to working within a group. The
ability to communicate effectively is at the top of the list of skills of what employers want in
their employees (Gray & Koncz, 2016). When communication works, we overlook its
importance. Only when communication does not work are we able to recognize its value. In the
case of group 4, poor communication very nearly derailed the team project. In an organization, it
would have been key to address outside influences that impacted the project early on. Generally,
communication barriers typically include things like misunderstanding assignments or dealing
with challenging interpersonal dynamics that can create obstacles. However, realistically we
need to see that things beyond our immediate control like accidents, illness, weather events,
equipment malfunctions, or even access to modes of communication can also be major factors
that can adversely impact team goals. This alone then is a major reason why regular clear
communication is so crucial. When problems arise, task assignments may need to be adjusted to
accommodate for any unexpected issues. When we dont immediately communicate personal

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issues to the group, timelines fall behind, tasks can be overlooked, relationships may be
tarnished, and projects can be disrupted. The lesson here is to address issues when they arise so
that any necessary changes can be considered and implemented as early as possible to keep
things on track.
Collaboration
Working in teams is an inevitability in any organization. Collaboration can be defined as
to work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something (Merriam-Webster).
However, as simple as this sounds, collaboration can be a very nuanced concept. According to
Susan Cains article The Rise of the New Groupthink for example, forcing introverts to work
in a group can actually hold them back from delivering their potentially innovative ideas. Its
clear that the key to good collaboration is good resource management. Knowing when and how
to bring teams together, which players will be best matched, and when to let individuals work
autonomously is necessary for successful collaboration. For Group 4, collaboration was an easier
job than communication. Although the team struggled to get together regularly, the members
were generally open to working together. No one seemed to show reluctance to offering
suggestions or taking on roles. Overall in an organizational setting however, good collaboration
may mean participating in regular meetings, working in close proximity with coworkers, and
relying on other team members to complete work. Expectations may include working with
unfamiliar people and ones where relationships are tense all while still needing to create
successful outcomes. Our ability to adapt and do what is best for the group despite our
preconceived notions and our differences is what makes for truly successful collaboration.

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Problem Solving Skills
In an organization, working as a team to complete a project can often be the problem that
needs to be solved (Levi, 2001). However, group work is unavoidable in todays workplace.
Therefore, we must be able to find ways to overcome obstacles that come with team projects. In
group four, that meant overcoming a communication obstacle. Due to outside influences, we did
not communicate as well as we could have, leading to intermittent contact and trouble timing our
meetings. An examination of the problems included two of our members were affected by severe
weather in the region where they lived, two members experienced technical difficulties, and one
member even had the birth of a child impact their ability to communicate with the group. In the
end the problem solving included patience and perseverance to keep the project moving forward.
In an organization, there may have been an opportunity to replace team members but just as in
group four, the most likely scenario would be that the rest of the team would pick up the slack
for the people who were struggling. When one or more members of a team struggles, it is only
the responsible thing for the other team members to step up and take on additional tasks if there
is hope of completing the assigned task.
Ethics
Generally, it would seem ethics and moral behavior is basically the same notion: behave
in a way that doesnt cause harm and that does do what is right and good. In an organization,
what is right and good is easier to define in terms of what is legally right and good. However,
according to the Saylor article, What is Ethics?, just because a company follows the letter of
the law, doesnt make them ethical. It clearly can be a fine line for an organization which is made
up of many different individuals with their own beliefs about morality to say they are ethical.
Better to follow a principle such as the Golden Rule than to stand on an ambiguous legal

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concept that might technically be correct but still not exemplify ethical behaviors. In working
with group 4, there was never any hint of unethical behavior on the part of the members.
Everyone brought their own work to the table and there was no doubt about their character.
Organizational Citizenship
Organizational citizenship is the concept that just as we are accountable to aid, respect,
and serve others in our world, so too do we need to be engaged, responsible, and work to further
the good of our company or organization (Sloat, 1999). When we act together to support our
coworkers through the use of good communication, work together to solve problems, and behave
ethically, we are using good citizenship practices. Since teams are so commonplace in todays
workplace, when these skills are lacking, it can contribute directly to the failures within the
organization. Individuals who dont practice organizational citizenship hurt more than just their
chances for success, they hurt the organization globally, tearing it down from within. It is
therefore necessary that everyone does their best to see their part in the bigger picture and
perform to the highest standards.
Conclusion
Successful leaders understand what it takes to make an organization strong. They know
the importance of and utilize clear communication, strong collaboration, and problem solving.
They are ethical and are good examples of organizational citizens. Communication is key and
creates the opportunity for strong collaboration. Good collaboration builds trust and
understanding between team members while laying the foundation for strong problem solving
abilities. By taking an ethical approach to management, leaders know they are protecting their
organization both in a legal sense and additionally being good organizational citizens.

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References
Cain, S. (2012, January 13). The Rise of the New Groupthink. Retrieved October 26, 2016, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-the-new-groupthink.html
Collaborate. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/collaborate
Gray, K., & Koncz, A. (2016, March 1). Employers Say Verbal Communication Most Important
Candidate Skill. Retrieved October 26, 2016, from http://www.naceweb.org/aboutus/press/2016/verbal-communication-most-important-candidate-skill.aspx
Levi, D. (2001). Group dynamics for teams. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Sloat, K.C.M., (1999, April 1). Organizational citizenship. C M Professional Safety; 44, 4;
ProQuest pg. 20.
What is Ethics? (n.d.). - BUS205: Business Law and Ethics -. Retrieved October 30, 2016, from
https://learn.saylor.org/course/bus205