My favourite modules on the Full-time MBA

Full-time MBA participant Eronmosele Aziba shares why Organisational Behaviour was his favourite module on the programme. 

The perfect welcome to a beautiful story
After an eight-year hiatus from a formal education setting, diving into the Full-time MBA programme at Warwick Business School (WBS) and starting with the Organisational Behaviour core module felt surreal. Yet, this experience was the perfect start to my MBA journey because the primary objective of the module – to understand how the behaviours of individuals, groups and structures within organisations influence the success or failure of the organisation – was particularly relevant to my professional career.

The module – Power, culture, emotions and structures are all key levers for a leader to achieve the desired outcome
This module was a particular favourite of mine as it allowed me to take a deeper dive into understanding the motivations, attitudes and values of individuals or groups within the context of a given organisational structure, and potential levers to be pulled to elicit a desired behaviour. Additionally, exploring the role of emotions, languages, culture, power and ethics together with varying leadership styles and how these culminate in the organisation’s overall performance was an equally enlightening experience.

The module also explored power dynamics within organisations, including the different forms of power, sources, and how they are utilised. This aspect of the course was particularly intriguing, as it provided insights into the inner workings of organisations and how individuals can leverage their power to achieve desired outcomes. Made salient by a quote from the popular TV series Game of Thrones, “Power is Power” - Cersei Lannister, this learning is etched into my memory today and into the future.

The module introduced me to the different behavioural frameworks studied over the years and how they could be applied to assess situations within organisations while giving insight into changes over time and the challenges currently facing organisations. I gained insight into the nuances of how organisations are run and how leaders can leverage behavioural dynamics to achieve set objectives. This was largely achieved by analysing numerous case studies of organisations across different industries, sizes and locations.

The teaching faculty – Perfect blend of knowledge, technical skills and wit
Further contributing to the attractiveness of the module was the amazing teaching faculty, an exceptional blend of academic and industry professionals who made the classes engaging, insightful and impactful. Their expertise, technical knowledge, and wit enabled me to grasp the concepts in a practical, relatable and fun way while maintaining sight of the theoretical approaches to understanding organisational behaviour. The fact that all the knowledge was crammed into only four actual days of classes was an unimaginable feat, which was delivered to perfection.

Key takeaway – Embrace conflict as it can drive development 
One of the most significant takeaways from the course was the learning that “Conflict is not always negative.” This concept has remained with me throughout the MBA programme, and I have continued to apply it in various scenarios. The module helped me realise that conflict can positively affect an organisation and often drive motivation and innovation. This understanding has enabled me to view the idea of “conflict” through a different lens, assessing it as an opportunity for growth and development rather than an obstacle. Notably, this learning has gone beyond the academic application to implementation in my professional and social experiences.

In conclusion, Organisational Behaviour is my favourite module in the MBA programme because it gave me the foundation to understand organisations’ complexities and behaviours. The insights gained from the module have proven invaluable in other courses and real-world situations. The teaching faculty was exceptional, and the lessons learnt will continue to influence my career and personal development long after the MBA programme has ended.