The relationship between self-leadership behaviors and organizational variables in a self-managed work team environment

This study examined the relationships between self- leadership behaviors (as described by Manz & Sims, 1990) and selected organizational variables in self-managed work groups in a paper mill in the northwestern part of the United States (US). Based on a sample of 141 employees, the results indicated that in general, supervisors who are seen as trusting, encouraging innovative behaviors, and give feedback, contribute to the development of Self-leadership behaviors of rehearsal, self-goal-setting, self-criticism, self-reinforcement, self-expectation and self-observation. In addition, providing team training, fostering communication within the group, and allowing the group members to make work-related decisions also enhances the movement toward self-management.