Module 3
RELATIONSHIPS (By: Chris Sampson)
Communication
In chapter nine, we learned about communication in the workplace
Communication is the process of a sender sending a message to a receiver with the purpose of creating mutual understanding.
- There are three types of communication within the workplace
- Verbal
- Non-Verbal
- Handwritten
- Formal
- Informal
You should avoid becoming emotional while communicating with others at the workplace
Accountability and Workplace Relationships
In chapter 10, there are three main concepts that were discussed:
- Empowerment - pushing power and decision making to the individuals who are closest to the customer in an effort to increase quality, customer satisfaction, and profits.
- Responsibility - accepting the power that is being given to you
- Accountability - you will report back to whoever gave you the power to carry out the responsibility
Also throughout chapter 10, we discussed the types of bosses that are present in most workplaces:
- Good Boss - A good boss is one who is respsectful and fair
- Incompetent Boss - An incompetent boss is one who does not know how to do his or her job
- Abusive Boss - An abusive boss is one who is constgantly belittling or intimidating his or her employees
Teamwork, Motivation, and Leadership
In chapter 11, we discussed the use of teams throughout companies. Many, if not all, businesses use teams to complete tasks. Teams go through five stages of development.
- Forming - Getting to know and forming initial opinions about your team members.
- Storming - Some team members begin to have conflict with each other
- Norming - When the conflict is overcome
- Performing - Where they begin working on the task
- Adjourning - When the task comes to a close
Also in chapter 11, we discussed motivation.
- Motivation is an internal drive that causes people to behave a certain way to meet a need.
- Physiological - Basic Wages
- Safety - Job Security/Environment
- Social - Infomral Groups
- Esteem - Recognition/Respect
- Self-Acutalization - Expand Skills
Conflict and Negotiation
In chapter 12, we discussed conflict and how to deal with it. Unfortunately, conflict cannot be avoided within the workplace.
- Conflict occurs when there is a disagreement or tension between two ore more parties.
- Remain calm and unemotional
- Be silent and listen
- Try to see the disagreement from the other person's perspective
- Explain your position and offer a solution
- Come to a solution
- Forcing conflict - This style deals with the issue directly, and generally one party gets no say in the matter whatsoever.
- Avoiding conflict - This style is used when the conflict does not want to be dealt with, so it is ignored instead.
- Accomodating conflict - This style is used when you would like to preserve a relationship, as it allows the other party to have his/her way without knowing there was a conflict
- Compromising conflict - This style is used when both parties give up something of importance to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution
- Collaborating conflict - This style is used when both parties work together to arrive at a solution without having to give up something