The course of the course!

The course of the course! 

Our motivation to join the course was as per the Vroom's Expectancy theory, as we expected that with a certain (read 'small') amount of effort, we will achieve a specific level (read 'pass') of performance (read - 'the degree'). During the online classes, we learnt about the authoritarian management, as we were told that attendance won't be given without switching the video 'on' but still no action was taken against the defaulters to exemplify the 5,5 management grid style. The reasons for not switching on the video by the students can be understood by the Maslow's hierarchy on needs, why some were struggling with physiological needs (having food during the class), others were concerned about their self-esteem ( mere baloon ki halat sab ko dikh jayegi!!) or had achieved self-actualization (isse kya hoga - un ke  kaan par joon nahin rengti thi). Those who had the need for love and belonging switched the video on.  

While our mentors initiated us on understanding the 'POSCORB' of management, our classmates helped us expand our 'arena' and reduce the 'hidden' and 'unknown' areas during the contact spells. We learnt all the models of conflict management during the departmental visit where the students needed to accommodate, compromise or collaborate during the group discussion. Some managed by avoiding the discussion while few avoided the contact spell itself.

Various techniques of management were employed to prepare for the theory exams. Using time-series analysis extrapolation a list of possible questions was prepared by the hard-working ones. PERT analysis was done to find the shortest route to success. The lazier one's applied VED analysis that 80% of questions are likely to be from the 20% of the syllabus. While it helped in paper 1, paper 2 taught us that these prediction models can fail at times and we should have other back up provisions. To manage this crisis, different candidates had different ideas that spread through the grapevine. Some proposed 'collective bargaining' to be passed with minimum marks. However, the communication with the management (read- university) remained largely unidirectional and their approach autocratic. We had to appear again!! In contrast the practical was a 'laissez-faire' with 'benevolent leadership'.

And finally the results were declared! The silence on the group suggested 'I am not OK, nobody seems ok' but gradually the result started sinking in and reminding us the Vroom's theory again and we became 'I am ok, you are ok, we are fantastic together", hip hip hurray!!