Analyze how individual behavior, personality traits, and interpersonal skills influence organizational culture, decision-making, and performance in a startup environment

Pre-Class Preparation:

Read the BarkGift case study carefully.
Take notes on the founders’ personalities, values, and leadership approaches.
Identify examples of interpersonal dynamics, decision-making challenges, and employee motivation issues.
In-Class Group Work (3 or 4 students):

Step 1. Individual Factors: Identify at least three personal characteristics (personality traits, values, attitudes) of the founders or key employees that have shaped BarkGift’s culture and decision-making. Link these to OB theories such as the Big Five personality model, Schwartz’s values theory, or attribution theory.
Step 2. Team Dynamics: Describe how communication styles, trust levels, and conflict management approaches are influencing team performance.
Step 3. Managerial Skills: Evaluate how the founders’ interpersonal skills have helped or hindered growth. Identify any gaps in skills needed for the next phase of development.
Step 4. Recommendations: Propose two actions the founders could take to improve people management and organizational effectiveness.
Deliverables:

Group Report: 2–3 pages, APA format, summarizing analysis and recommendations.