Back to Basics

Learning Basic Skills seems like a task we accomplish in elementary school. The ability to think, reason, and make decisions seems simple enough to overcome, so why is it that a number of manufacturing firms are breaking down complex jobs in order to create low paying positions with no growth or job security? It seems as though the only outcome is a poor working environment; low quality, low service and low employee self esteem. I always find myself a little surprised to hear that companies don’t have their employee’s best interest at heart. After all aren’t they an extension of their business? The book proposes that companies offer a program to educate their workers, although it has shown some significant increases it doesn’t solve the entire problem. It astounds me that the American education system operates as more of a cattle ranch then and educational institute. They take in young children, fill them with sometimes useless information and a confined way of thinking, then pass them through the different levels of the education process until they mature enough to move them on to a bigger school. Then we wonder why children find themselves involved in drugs and alcohol. We as a society don’t take pride in our culture as a whole; we only take pride in the elite. If we took the time to ensure that everyone received the same education from the beginning we wouldn’t be faced with the numerous problems in our economy today.

Small groups and teams in pervasive communication- web lecture

Virtual Communication is easier to communicate but who says communication is clear to begin with? Time and time again we hear the basis of a solid relationship is communication. If women and men have such a hard time understanding each other in general who’s to say that communication through technology is going to make it easier? How simple is it to misinterpret a text or IM from a friend? It’s equally as easy to misunderstand someone’s viewpoint or plan of attack in a business meeting with a group of individuals. As valuable as virtual communication is, we still need to have that real interaction from time to time. Developing a genuine bond with someone whether it’s a co-worker or a client needs to happen with real communication. That face-to-face interaction is the key to a successful relationship.

Chapter 9: Communicating Leadership

We’ve all been there. Had a job we absolutely hated. Going to work seems like the biggest obstacle to overcome in our day. If you haven’t, then you are among the lucky few. On the other hand if you’ve had the privilege of enjoying what you do I assume it’s because of the mutual understanding you and your superior have of your job. You most likely have a healthy relationship with them, one in which you are free to discuss creative ideas, suggestions, and you aren’t afraid to disagree. This is known as supportive communication. Chapter 9 discusses Supportiveness, and the theory of leader-member exchange. This is where superiors place their employees into two categories. The first, in-group relationships, this is where employees and managers have a mutual respect, mutual influence and a high trust in one another. In the second category, out-group relationships, there is a low trust level, with low support and low job satisfaction. There is no room for this type of relationship in the workplace; all that can come from this is a high turn over rate, no loyalty to the company, and lack of commitment to their job. I’ve worked with both in and out-group relationships and I believe the book to be accurate. The only jobs I enjoyed and been extremely satisfied with, is one in which my opinion is highly valued and trusted.

Progressive Capitalism?

Although Progressive Capitalism has its downfalls, I believe it would dramatically help us in this time of need. As people continue to loose jobs or have their hours cut our economy declines. I agree that if we found a way to use progressive capitalism to our advantage it could produce more "revolutionary changes" in the workplace. Just as the book discusses, Profit should be the focus of the organization but it shouldn't be at the cost of their employees.

In Response to Olive Juice's Ch. 5 (HRO) Blog

I can easily relate to the above blog about firefighters. My x-boyfriend is a firefighter / paramedic as well as on the HIT team for his department, so the idea of "High-reliability organizations" (HROs)is so close to home its scary. Every shift my x-boyfriend would come home and talk casually about the near death experiences he would deal with on a daily bases as if it were a normal thing to everyone around him. It is so unbelievably true that it really does take a certain type of person to be able to successfully complete the tasks required of them as a firefighter. There are so many "meticulously planned and coordinated safety rules and cultures within a fire department that acceptance is most definitely something you must work for, it is a never ending battle to stay on top of the most recent rules and regulations while still proving yourselves to the chiefs and fellow firefighters. The first year of a firefighters career is the most challenging when it comes to HROs because they are the new-bees and have not yet proved themselves worthy to be part of such a socialized system and it takes many years after probation to truly be "up to par" with other firefighters within your station. The reality of it is that firefighters must be prepared to face life and death situations on a daily basis and must be able to act in an instance to not only save a patients life but also to be sure that they are safe as well as their fellow workers.

Ch. 4 Goals

Organizational goals are central "both individuals and organizations direct their activities toward goal attainment" Without goals a company will not have a steady increase in market share or profitability, they will not have an idea of where they stand and where it is that they want to be in the industry. They will never be able to address problems within the organization becasue they will not be as apparent without a set goal in mind. This does not only apply to comapnies but it also apply's to individuals in their daily lives. Without goals one wouldn't go to school, they wouldnt get that job they have always wanted becuase they wouldnt even know that job existed, The lack of goals creates a false reality and without goals life has no purpose. There would be nothing that they want to do with their lives, in a sense they will have no true future and nothing to better themselves at becuase they will not have anywhere they want to be. Goals are what keeps the world turning in all aspects of life.

Theory, Metaphors and Organization Lecture

I would like to think that life is a metaphor. The metaphors that one says, hears, or believes in one way or another shape not only the outcome of every situation but they shape the level of happiness and success you achieve in your life. The easier something is to understand the easier it is to come to terms with, thus the easier it is to enjoy the hidden meanings. Many times a metaphor can be more easily understood than the actual meaning in which it conveys. A metaphor helps individuals attain a goal or find a true meaning to many things in life that they may be struggling with.

Staying with the theme of love, the metaphor "Love is blind" is a perfect example of creating an easy way to say that the individuals in the relationship are truly unable to see the reality of what is going on "behind closed doors" because love blinds you from the obvious. Ironically I was just having a conversation with a girlfriend about her current relationship with her now x-boyfriend today and how it is impossible to see what is truly wrong inside until you take a step outside and look back in, this is the only true time you can see everything you were missing all along. All the small details that if you could have viewed "from the outside in" would have instantly threw up a red flag or caused a need for reflection, but these opportunities never arise until you can see it from an outside perspective.

This is just the smallest of small instances of a metaphor. One can find them in all traces and areas of life, and they make the less obvious "clear as day"