Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Lecture Notes
Chapter 8: Establishing a Constructive Climate
Learning Objectives
1. Define climate in the context of a team or organization
Chapter Outline
I. Constructive Climate Explained
A. Climate is defined as people’s shared perceptions which includes people’s general
thoughts and feelings about the activities, assumptions, and procedures of a group,
which may fluctuate.
B. A positive climate is shaped by the degree to which people feel they are supported,
appreciated, and encouraged for their roles in the organization.
II. Climate in Practice
A. Providing Structure
i. Providing structure is much like giving group members an architectural
blueprint for their work.
ii. Instilling structure into the organization provides people with a sense of
security, direction, and stability.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
B. Clarifying Norms
i. Norms are the rules of behavior that are established and shared by group
members. They are like a road map for navigating how we are supposed to
behave in a group.
C. Building Cohesiveness
i. Cohesiveness is described as a sense of “we–ness,” the cement that holds a
group together.
ii. Group members identify with the group and its goals and find satisfaction
in being an accepted member of the group.
iii. Positive outcomes of cohesiveness:
a. Increased participation and better interaction: High cohesiveness is
frequently associated with increased participation and better
interaction among members.
d. Member satisfaction is high: Member satisfaction is high in
cohesive groups; members tend to feel more secure and find
enjoyment participating in the group.
iv. Actions for building cohesiveness:
a. Help groups to create a climate of trust.
b. Invite group members to become active participants.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
D. Promoting Standards of Excellence
i. Standards of excellence: These standards are the expressed and implied
expectations for performance that exist within a group or an organization.
ii. Six factors that are essential for members to function effectively:
a. What group members need to know and what skills they need to
acquire
iii. Three R’s to influence performance: To influence performance, the
authors contend that a leader must stress the “three Rs”: (1) Require results,
(2) Review results, and (3) Reward results.
iv. Require results:
a. A leader needs to articulate clear, concrete expectations for team
members.
v. Review results:
a. Constructive feedback allows group members to look at themselves
honestly and know what they need to maintain or improve.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
vi. Reward results:
a. Practical and straightforward: Rewarding results is a very practical,
straightforward process, something that every leader can do.