The Crucial Intersection of Psychology and Management Education

"Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could." — Steve Jobs

This quote by Steve Jobs emphasises the need for managers to be influential leaders who lead by example and nurture self-motivated employees who go above and beyond even their own expectations.

The top universities in India, like Manipal University Jaipur, understand the need to train their MBA students to be both inspiring leaders and efficient managers.

The connection between psychology and management education may not seem evident at first glance, but rest assured, they are closely linked at every turn. From analysing consumer behaviour to client and employee relations, understanding psychology is integral to management or running businesses.

The top universities of India have trained their MBA students to understand and utilise psychological theories and concepts in management and business. This is crucial for developing successful products and services that appeal to consumers and account for changing consumer behaviour.

This blog will explore how an understanding of human psychology could equip you to be a better manager and why the top universities of India should include aspects of behavioural psychology in their MBA curricula.

Improving Employee Satisfaction and Retention

It is no secret that satisfied and happy workers are more productive and likely to remain at their organisations for longer periods. Boosting employee satisfaction inevitably boosts the bottom line, creating a win-win situation.

However, ensuring employee satisfaction is not always as easy as offering higher salaries. It requires an understanding of human psychology and behaviour. Numerous psychologists have worked on the intersection of psychology and management, presenting theories that can aid managers in creating happier work environments that keep workers engaged and content.

The top universities of India can integrate such management theories that have emerged in the discipline of psychology.

Herzberg's Two Factor Theory

Herzberg's Two Factor theory offers insight into factors beyond salary that impact employees' motivation to take the initiative and go above and beyond to achieve results. It includes two factors that influence employee satisfaction-

• Hygiene Factors include salary and working conditions, both essential for maintaining employee satisfaction and retention.
• Motivation Factors include inculcating a sense of achievement and responsibility in employees, motivating them to stay engaged in their work and even enjoy it.

A manager must ensure both these factors to ensure high employee satisfaction and, consequently, high productivity.

Building Psychological Capital

Psychological capital has been recognised as a vital component of organisational and employee success. It incorporates four aspects, namely-

• Hope
• Efficacy
• Resilience
• Optimism

Managers and employees can both work together to build psychological capital through various means-

• Training sessions for boosting psychological capital in the workplace
• Managers can model HERO (hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism) behaviours to lead by example
• Ensure employee autonomy and growth
• Celebrate employee achievements

The top universities in India have begun including courses that incorporate psychology in their MBA programmes. For instance, Manipal University Jaipur has a course focused on Positive Organisation Behaviour that includes psychological capital. Including such courses with topics that are gaining increasing traction in the management field not only boosts the employability of MBA graduates but also equips them to lead according to the latest industry standards.

Managing Diversity

One of the welcome changes in businesses across the globe is the increasing importance given to inclusion and celebrating diversity within the workforce. With increasing workplace diversity, managers must be equipped to lead with a cosmopolitan attitude while being mindful of implicit biases.

The top universities of Rajasthan, like Manipal University Jaipur, have recognised the need to train MBA students to manage diversity.

Manipal University Jaipur has included a course on Managing Diversity in Organisations that trains students in psychological concepts like-

• Emotional Intelligence
• Cognition
• Implicit Bias
• Self Awareness
• Mindfulness
• Cognitive Complexity and Flexibility

Understanding these concepts in the contemporary workplace becomes instrumental for effectively managing a diverse workforce.

Effective Conflict Resolution

One of the core aspects of efficient management is dealing with any conflicts that may arise in the workplace. Disagreements and debates are part of a healthy and collaborative workplace. However, they can quickly escalate into conflicts if left unchecked. A manager must minimise conflicts through effective communication and mutual understanding.

Psychology plays a vital role in uncovering the causes of conflict and resolving them once they arise.

Understanding the reasons behind conflicts is crucial, as managers can prevent them by proactively managing their causes.

Conflicts can arise due to conflicting goals, competition, or poor communication. These are the most common causes of workplace conflicts, and hence, managers should work towards building a collaborative and harmonious workforce that refrains from engaging in disputes.

MBA graduates from the top universities of India are trained in conflict management and resolution. They study negotiation strategies, human behaviour, and psychology. Their interdisciplinary training enables them to handle workplace conflicts and tactfully ensure smooth resolution and reconciliation.

As one of the top universities in Rajasthan, Manipal University Jaipur has incorporated every aspect of conflict management in its MBA programme. Some of the subjects and topics in its curriculum that can aid MBA graduates in effectively understanding and resolving conflicts are-

• Managing Conflict: Sources of management conflict, resolution styles of conflict, and diagnostic surveys of managing conflict
• Conflict negotiation and resolution
• Conflict map
• Elements of conflict
• Strategies of behaviour in a conflict – escaping, aggression, compromise, transformation, and management
• Personal conflict
• Group conflicts
• Labour conflicts
• Social and political conflicts

Manipal University Jaipur has focused its MBA programme on the practical skills students will need once they begin their journey as managers. This ensures that MBA graduates are equipped to handle the difficult aspects of management—like conflict resolution—right after graduating.

Conclusion

The focus on interdisciplinary skills and knowledge has been steadily increasing, bringing to light new interconnections between disciplines that seemed disparate earlier, like Management and Psychology. As the demand for managers with knowledge of psychology increasingly rises, the top universities of India have begun incorporating aspects of psychology in their curricula, a trend which is sure to continue.

MBA graduates trained in concepts like emotional intelligence, psychological capital, and mindfulness will undoubtedly have an advantage over those unfamiliar with these psychology concepts. The former will find it easier to empathise with their employees, motivate them, and resolve conflicts smoothly, all core responsibilities of an effective and inspiring manager.