I’m in a Pickle…Again

Workplace dilemmas
 
Sometimes workplace matters can cause an employee to feel like they are caught in the middle of the game, “Pickle”. Rather than succumbing to futility, individuals in such frustrating positions may instead choose to initiate a thoughtful and articulated set of responses. While most people strive to abide by a code of ethics and moral responsibility, the following workplace conflicts may challenge these senses, invoke fear, and collide with a need for job security, causing employees to carefully consider effective communication techniques as they navigate troublesome issues.
 
Case #1—The Boss’s Expense Report
Your boss conveniently loses his expense report for his last trip. On his way into a meeting, he drops a blank report on your desk and asks you to fill in the blanks, saying, “Make it add up to $300 or so.” What will you do? 

Given, the matter involves a supervisor and a subordinate, this situation requires the use of subtlety and tact. As the authors of the class text state, “Workplace relationships are more or less mandatory relationships (if one wants a job and intends to keep it)” (Cahn & Abigail, 2014, p.268). In this case I think the prudent approach would be to conveniently assume that my boss simply forgot to give me the receipts and respond accordingly.

Telecommuting: A Remote Possibility

The world is flat, and that is great news! Communication is instant, efficient, and inexpensive. Mobile technology has given individuals and organizations immediate connectivity, access to the internet while providing businesses the ability to transcend barriers of time, distance, and language. Telecommuting has become a natural extension of this. While some may argue it is more difficult to manage employees remotely, telecommuting offers many mutually beneficial aspects such as reduced cost, increased efficiency, better work-life balance, greater collaboration, and a more diverse workforce with untapped potential for remote possibilities.

The Future

                        Figure 1. (Jacoby, 2015).

Certainly, managing a remote workforce presents a new set of challenges, and certain Celluphone (2012) locations require traditional employment methods. However, mobile devices have changed the face and function of modern workplaces. Therefore, integration of these technologies with the goals and practices of the organization will further objectives as set forth by management. An article in The Journal of Leadership Studies cites the following functions as factors that contribute to success in this type of endeavor. These include the ability to diagnose, adapt, and communicate tasks and behaviors to employees in remote situations (Gibson, Domwell, Dominicus, & Demerath, 2002, p. 81). These remote interactions may appear less personal and controllable.

Dance Magazine Article, Misty Copeland: Changing the Realm of Ballet

Misty Copeland  speaks about changing the face of ballet.


Skeletal bodies, pallor, and training begun in early childhood are all stereotypical characteristics of Prima Ballerinas. It is these standards that have kept many talented ethnicities from the upper ranks in ballet companies, until now. While the dance world is steeped in traditions, important changes are occurring and at the forefront is Misty Copeland, a young African-American ballerina whose talent has broken stereotypes, opened the door for ethnic diversity, expanded interest in this art form, and changed the realm of ballet forever.

As dancers and readers of this publication may recall, Dance Magazine featured an article entitled “The Misty Copeland Effect” (Comaneci, 2015). Famed Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci explored the atypical rise of an African-American ballet dancer in a world held captive by unwritten rules and almost impossible physical standards for those awarded star status. It is the unlikely rise and stardom of a dancer who did not fit neatly into the mold of those before her which inspires and captivates public attention. Although Copeland’s skin color was a major deterrent, it would not be the only difficulty on her path to a well-deserved success.

Virtual Communications: The E-Melting Pot

 

Only a click away.

Global communications are only a click away. Technological advancements have created a virtual melting pot, in which individuals from diverse cultures interact in business matters and educational endeavors. While there are many benefits of virtual workplace and e-learning environments such as immediate connectivity and ease of access, this new realm requires attention to potential limitations involving intercultural communication and diligence in furthering and enriching these relationships.

The exponential growth of technology has created a dynamic platform by which it is now possible to formulate virtual teams and utilize talents and skill sets from all across the globe. Businesses are now able to conduct meetings, engage in structural changes, develop marketing strategies, and collaborate at every level within an organization. This phenomenon is not limited to large corporations, as even those operating on a lesser scale have seen positive results. Budrina (2011) states, “Such technology and the expansion of global business have changed the work environment for organizations of all sizes, allowing even small companies to compete in the international market place” (para. 2). Indeed, what once may have proven cost prohibitive due to exhaustive travel expenses and marketing materials, is now feasible for a variety of organizations.

Maya Said it Best

Great Americans come in all colors and from many different walks of life. However, the path to prosperity has been woefully unequal and riddled with strife between the races. While President Obama and many others argue the anger and resentment by blacks and whites toward one another in our nation has been troublesome and counterproductive, it may also be argued that these feelings are valid because as a famed statement by Faulkner implies, we are bound by a recent history of racism, above which we will rise, and in doing so, important cultural and communicative changes must occur in order for a trans-racial society to flourish.

Indeed we have been a nation divided by race. Historically, the laws of America once blatantly authorized the subjugation of blacks and other subgroups. As these individuals sought incremental and hard won freedoms, massive uprisings and violent revolts were followed by luminaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King exhorting a call for peaceful and meaningful protest. In the wake of each change, there were those in the white community who began to see the new changes as a threat to their treasured and traditional way of life.

C’mon! We’re Not Teens Anymore…

I guess some of us still act like teenagers!

Once again, my naiveté had taken over and I assumed that my new neighbors and I would be life-long friends. After all, our daughters were the same age and became fast friends. Surely, their teenage conflicts wouldn’t affect our interactions. What could possibly go wrong? A problem ensued when the parents of the other girls decided to participate in a matter which was simply a teenage spat. Their slander of my name and reputation created an unnecessary conflict, but one from which I learned a great deal. Conflict is a constant in human interaction and understanding why it occurs and utilizing effective communication techniques wherein we recognize the common contributors such as the role of different personality types, stress and anger, and the positive and negative effects we can improve the outcome of such situations.

Conflict will occur even in situations which are seemingly innocuous and involve friendships of all ages. Emma was the younger version of her mother Tammy, and the first time we met, she had one foot on the bicycle seat, the other extended straight out behind her and her arms followed suit. I quickly nicknamed her, “Cameron’s Circus Sideshow Friend”. Lori’s daughter, Emily was a sweet and precocious red head who at our first meeting stood in my drive way dipping pickles in a jar of peanut butter as she gave me the run down on her list of pets. Tammy was hilarious and Lori was warm and welcoming, their daughters were reflections of this and so, I welcomed the new friendships between our daughters and us, with open arms.

The Veruca Salt Syndrome: Why We Need Mediation and Arbitration

Why we need arbitration and mediation.

In the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Veruca Salt repeatedly exclaims, “I want it now!”(Ultrasissi, 2009).This type of sentiment is one of the reasons why mediation and arbitration have become widely used to settle disputes. Increasingly, parties are electing to use these methods in lieu of costly and lengthy court procedures. While the results of mediation and arbitration have many favorable outcomes such as reduced expenditures, increased efficiency, greater flexibility, and high success rates, the functions and roles of these alternative dispute resolutions also have drawbacks which must be considered, and the American Arbitration Association provides individuals and organizations access to information and qualified professionals in this field.

The function of mediation is to facilitate communication between the parties in conflict by using a neutral third party to bring individuals to a mutual agreement. Although this form of resolution is often used to settle informal disputes such as those between children, co-workers, or in general misunderstandings, the formal type of mediation has a role in settling matters of conflict in cases which include divorce, child custody, and landlord-tenant relations. The effectiveness of mediation is quite significant and authors Cahn & Abigail state, “It is estimated that “once the disputants have agreed to mediate, at least 80% of the time they are able to work out an agreement that is acceptable to both of them” (Cahn & Abigail, 2014, p. 249). This approach offers parties greater adjustability and control, while reducing legal fees, and contributes to improved communication.

Ashford University: Proposal to Integrate Course Materials

While AshfordUniversity currently offers many materials directly through the online course, there are several courses which require the use of Edmap and subsequent navigation back and forth between the classroom and an outside website. The online learning experience could be streamlined by simplifying this process. Although many course materials are currently available in the online classroom, all material should be integrated in this manner because it requires less navigation, reduces student error, creates a seamless experience for the user, and is more cost effective.

INTRODUCTION

Statement of Problem
Currently, there is not a consistent method of delivery for online course materials. Online courses at Ashford University require students to utilize differing methods to access text books. To create a more positive learning experience for online students, Ashford University should make all distance learning materials available directly through the classroom.

Life Lessons with Lois

 One of my favorite people, Lois Blackwell Witherspoon.

Life Lessons with Lois

Although born and raised in a generation when women were expected to fulfill the role of wife and mother, Lois Blackwell Witherspoon rose above the conventional stereotypes and forged a new path. Her sage wisdom is an invaluable tool for young and old alike and it is through her stories, memories, and the application of such, that some of life’s greatest lessons involving intercultural communication are presented. We can improve intercultural communication by seeking to understand and appreciate the valuable insights, of those who differ from us, thereby exercising curiosity about individuals in terms of generation, subgroups, experiences, and viewpoints on subjects which include childhood, the influence of news media, language, family life, work, gender, government, technology, and continued communications across cultures.

Lois is an extraordinary woman whose insights on life stem directly from her childhood during The Great Depression, World War II, and rearing at the hands of her loving, but strict Christian grandparents. In addition to being a widow, she has been divorced twice. Furthermore, Lois is a professional organist who developed a famed system of instruction, and is a published author. Currently, she travels around her home in Phoenix to give organ lessons, attend a grief group, and counsels other widowed seniors. Two days after this interview, Lois became a member of another subgroup as she lost her only child, to Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, she is now part of the subgroup of parents who have outlived their adult children. Her other subgroups are: Caucasian ethnicity, strict Christian upbringing, Depression Era, divorcee, widow, author, organist, organ instructor, and senior grief counselor.

Candy Crush Isn’t Just for Kids! : Senior Citizens and Social Media

Although it is tempting to associate technology and the use of social media with younger individuals, there is another segment of society for which these tools have become important. As senior citizens encounter loss of loved ones, physical debilitations, and a society which changes at break-neck speed, feelings of depression and loneliness are often experienced. However, technology has become more affordable and user friendly, thus, more seniors are turning to social media for companionship, information, and entertainment. While senior citizens face many challenges associated with aging, those who use technology and social media experience a multitude of benefits which include renewed vitality, a greater voice and recognition in society, increased connectivity and involvement, and expanded interaction with family and friends.
 
 As technology advances and becomes increasingly integrated into the daily lives of citizens around the world, the importance of digital literacy is unquestionably linked to societal relevance. Indeed, a disparity exists between those who use electronic means of communication and those who do not. For the purposes of this discussion the concentration will be on equipping elderly citizens with the knowledge of technology, via social media, thus empowering them with information, skills, and interaction which are not hindered by limited mobility. Educators agree that "senior citizenship is turned into a new stage of life, in which idleness symbolizes the practice of new activities, under the label of dynamism" (Adriano, Dante, Johannes, 2012, para. 1). Indeed, it is within the power of society to improve and empower its aging populations. Unlike the younger members of society, seniors came of age in an era which was not dominated by technology, but by machines and manual labor.

You’re Such a (Blank)!: Scenes From a Restaurant

OK, so my situation wasn't QUITE this bad, but.. Read on and find out what happened at Michael Jordan's Restaurant in Chicago.
This is going to be the perfect job. This is going to be the perfect relationship. At one time or another most people have found themselves imagining that their current situation would live up to the greatest idealistic dreams of utopia, only to repeatedly discover that no matter what location, circumstance, or parties involved this dream is unsustainable. Whether it is personal differences, past experiences, or misperceptions, conflict is a part of our interaction with others. While conflict with others is inevitable, it does not always have to be destructive, and positive changes can occur as demonstrated by using the five stages of a constructive conflict which are prelude, triggering event, initiation, differentiation, and resolution.

Prelude. I was a manager at Michael Jordan’s Restaurant in Chicago during the Bull’s fourth championship series. As usual the place was a flurry of activity and tensions were running high. A somewhat awkward and clumsy waiter dumped and entire tray of condiments right in the middle of the busy kitchen, creating a slippery and dangerous area. Rather than offering assistance, the kitchen manager and his staff stood and laughed, refusing to help.

The AAA Theory: Approach, Anticipate, Analyze

There it is; someone put a kink in the garden hose again. Despite the best intentions and even in the most idyllic of circumstances, difficulties and personality clashes occur. Once productive employees may fall into patterns of apathy, hostility, or sub-standard performance and skillful conflict resolution is crucial to successful management. While workplace conflict is inevitable, constructive communication methods allow management to effectively approach an employee, anticipate the response, and analyze which resolution techniques will be the most productive.
As an example of interpersonal conflict in the workplace, a case study was offered for review and analysis. The circumstances of this are as follows: A mid-sized company that provides technical support has a department consisting of ten employees. This team that requires superlative knowledge and distinguished customer service has been experiencing complications due to actions of a particular individual who has been with the company for two years. The numerous complaints from coworkers and customers include issues of poor work performance and a confrontational demeanor, which has led to a contentious work atmosphere. A meeting must be scheduled in which the employee is given an ultimatum of immediate improvement or dismissal.