Week 4 - Discussion 1
Jaspereric
week4_dis1_Replies.docxYesterday21 Jul at 20:07
Hello,
Autonomous and Positive Face
According to Cahn and Abigail (2014), positive face is our belief that we are likable and worthy of other’s respect, where autonomous face is the part of us that wants independence and more personal recognition for our contributions (chapter, 2.7).
Personal Example of Positive Face
In my department, I am one of the most senior people in the group. I am senior not only by age but by the length of employment, the amount of experience that I have in my field, as well as time with the company, has created a situation that almost always leaves me in positive face. I have worked for my current employer for 17 years; my boss has only been there for three years and my other two team members just completed their first year. When anyone on the team is not sure of how to do something, they always come to me. In the past, I had one co-worker that really despised the fact that I was the “go-to” person. I think she had been that person in her previous role and she just could not stand it. Ultimately, I was never able to get her to relax about that and she left the organization. My experience with her has made my approach with my newest counterparts much different. They know they come to me for answers but when our work is presented, I make sure it is presented from the group as a whole with nobody standing out front. I feel this has helped to ensure our team feels more united.
Personal Example of Autonomous Face
My method to create a united team at work as stated above has had an impact on me personally. While I do not express it to my team members there are times when I will have a personal pity party, where I worry that the organization will not see the value that I bring to the team. This is a ridiculous thought to have but I have worried if we ever must lay anyone off will they keep one of the others because they are less expensive, and they offer “just as much”. I suppose that could happen, but for me having a united team makes it worth it not to push the issue with getting personal credit. I remain confident that my continued work and dedication help me maintain my employment. We really do have an amazing team right now.
Kristen
References
Cahn, D. D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu/
Yesterday21 Jul at 9:15
Provide an example of a time that this has happened to you or someone you know in your professional and personal experience.
Positive face is when you have a following, when others value what you value, also other express admiration for our unique qualities (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). This in my opinion is how you want to be leader in an organization, those that want and admire you to be like you. You want other to show you that they accept you as a competent individual (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). An example is just having your group of reports and them believing in your likability and worthy of other's respect. Like coming to work and work for your leader or supervisor. This shows positive face in the professional setting.
An autonomous face is a part of ourselves that needs to be independent, private, and be recognized for our contributions (Cahn & Abigail, 2014). An example of an autonomous face is having pride in your work, that is putting a part of ourselves into the services and products that make up the organization we work for (Cahn & Abigail, 2014).
Both of these can create conflict but most situations are in the path of desirable work atmospheres. Every leader wants to be accepted at least to some degree simply because they have to be successful. Also trying to please everyone the reports to you can lead to conflict between employees and who are not receptive to the respect you are asking for.
What did you do to resolve the issues of autonomous and positive face? Are the strategies you used for each different?
Solving a positive face can be just removing the group setting of the work environment and responding to each report individually. Like I said you cannot please everyone so the respect you look for may not be in the answers your providing to everyone. An autonomous face can be solved by being reinforced as a leader. You have to work to be autonomous face, this has to be in the work ethic and how you are providing the service you say you are and be recognized for doing so. This can be all solved by performing as the top in the work environment and being respected as a leader to be recognized as a contributing part of the organization.
Reference:
Cahn, D. D., & Abigail, R. A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu/
