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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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.
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One of my most favorite quotes is, "No job is perfect, I believe. Every job has some tasks that are disagreeable or distasteful or dismaying. But no one should stay in a job where more than 20 percent of the duties are unpleasant and unsatisfying. When the bad-part index hits 20, quit. Every job should be at least 80 percent fun. You can't suceed in a job you don't love." -Journalist legend, Michael Gartner. I will always remember this because I think that it is so true...why stay in a job that you are miserable at? For instance, a few years back I had it in my mind that I wanted a second job a few nights a week as a waitress. Well all of a suden I realized that I was in my third waitressing job with in a short period of like 2 months..the problem was that I just kept leaving the jobs bc I wasn't happy with them. When I realized that I didn't like the third one I went to my father and told him, I said that I was embarrased that I couldn't find one that I liked and to my surprise he said, "if you don't like it then quit, there isn't any reason to be embarrassed over that. You tried it out and thats whats important, if you never try something out then how will you know if its for you?"
ReplyDeleteSupervisors are a key determinant if subordinates are happy in their jobs. And this starts at the top of the hierarchy. Good supervisor-subordinate relationships all the way up and down the line are essential for a support communication climate. Everyone wants to feel valued and trusted and an important part of the organization. Although organizations with poor communication climates can function, employees always will be looking for a way to leave the organization. In economic times like these, people will stay because they have no choice. But as soon as they can, they'll be out the door.
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