PR truyền thông - Chapter 11: Relational challenges

Peer and Co-worker CommunicationChapter 11“RELATIONAL CHALLENGES”Co-worker CommunicationPeer relationships can provide a source of intrinsic reward for the employee, can buffer job-related stress, and can reduce job dissatisfaction and turnover (Kram & Isabella, 1985)QuestionsWhy is it in the organization’s best interest to foster co-worker relationships?Are people more involved, satisfied, and participative in dyads as compared to groups?How does physical space affect office relationships?What contributes most to worker relationship development?OverviewNature of co-worker relationshipsStrategies for developing work relationshipsFactors influencing relationship developmentPositive and negative consequencesRelationship issues in the workplace (case study)Nature of Relationships in OrganizationsTwo Forms of Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizational - based on organizational structurePersonal - choice & voluntarinessFriendship is an ongoing human association voluntarily developed and privately negotiatedRelationships are exponentially complexFive Principles of Developing Work Relationships#1 - Proxemics Affect Relationship DevelopmentDistance between ourselves and othersMore opportunities to interactPhysical space affects office relationships (HOW?)#2 - Relationship Communication Conveys Information and Imposes BehaviorTwo levels of messages: CONTENT and COMMANDCommand defines the relationship between the two individualsFive Principles of Developing Work Relationships#3 - Relationships Can Be Symmetrical or ComplementaryInterpersonal BalanceSymmetrical - both partners are equal in the relationshipComplementary - based on maximization of differences (1 up/down)#4 - Each Partner Has Different Interpersonal NeedsSchutz’s FIRO-BInclusion, Affection, and Control#5 - Co-workers Can Have More Control of Each Other Than Can SupervisorsIncome of all is dependent on work of allMember-based control (concertive control, Chapter 5, p. 99)Relationship DevelopmentThree Patterns in co-worker relationships which result in changes in communication patternsTransition 1 - Acquaintance to FriendCaused by contextual (environmental factors)Time, close proximity, sharing tasks, socializing outside of workTransition 2 - Friend to Close FriendDriven by problems or events in both personal and work lifeMore time outside of work and with each other’s familiesDiscussion of more work-related problems (more open)Transition 3 - Close Friend to Almost Best FriendSocializing outside work and shared life eventsTrust and detailed discussionRelationship Development:Three Critical FactorsThe impact of proximityTelecommuting and “virtual offices”Assimilation issues How superiors treat co-workersUndeserved, favorable, and differential treatment by supervisor causes dislike and mistrust of subordinate-- caution and isolationUndeserved, negative, and differential treatment by supervisor causes increased group cohesiveness and increased interaction -- more open and decrease in communication editingDeserved unfavorable treatment = distance from ‘problem employee’Deserved favorable treatment = respect, approval, conduit to supervisorSocial Exchange Theory (Thibaut and Kelley, 1959)Maximum pleasure and minimum painPredicts the likelihood that relationships will developConsequences of Work RelationshipsPositive ConsequencesSupport system - information and feedbackGreater loyaltyFosters successIncreases satisfaction and organizational identification Negative Consequences - MISUSEScommodity - political currencyinformation retrieval - not ordinarily availableco-dependency - can’t function independentlyagainst one’s own interest - opportunities for advancementStrains on Friendship and Work Relationships (Figure 11.1, p. 202)Strains on Friendships and Work RelationshipStrains Caused by WorkEgalitarian nature negatedManagement of informationNeed for autonomyViolation of consensus desiresNegative feedbackPublic displays of friendship minimizedStrains Caused by FriendshipObjectivity damagedManagement of inequalitiesSocializing affecting performanceManagement of organizational informationFriends held to a higher standardStrengthening Work RelationshipsProviding Positive FeedbackIncreased moraleFosters supportMediate ConflictDiscuss Communication (metacommunication)Developing Relationships at WorkDevelop your closest friendships outside of workDon’t start an intimate relationship at work unless you are prepared to cope with the consequencesRecognize that males and females will cope with friendships at work differentlyHealthy Work Relationship CriteriaIndividual excellenceImportance (of strategic objectives)InterdependenceInvestmentInformationIntegrationInstitutionalization (formal status)IntegrityCASE STUDYIf you were Dave, what would you do?What can Dave do in the future to prevent this type of thing from happening again?How would you characterize Dave’s communication style? Steve’s Bob’s?SummaryNature of co-worker relationshipsStrategies for developing work relationshipsFactors influencing relationship developmentPositive and negative consequencesRelationship issues in the workplace (case study)Peer and Co-worker CommunicationCommunication with peers at work creates a strong bond between the employee and organization!