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Chapter 4 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes WORKPLACE EMOTIONS AND ATTITUDES LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, students should be able to: Define emotions and identify the two dimensions around which emotions are organized. Diagram the model of emotions, attitudes, and behaviour. Identify the conditions that require and problems with emotional labour. Outline the four components of emotional intelligence. Summarize the effects of job dissatisfaction in terms of the exit-voice-loyalty-neglect model. Compare the effects of affective and continuance commitment on employee behaviour. Describe five strategies to increase organizational commitment. Contrast transactional and relational psychological contracts. Discuss the trend towards employability. CHAPTER GLOSSARY attitudes The cluster of beliefs, assessed feelings, and behavioural intentions toward an object. exit-voice-loyalty-neglect (EVNL) model The four ways, as indicated in the name, employees respond to job dissatisfaction. cognitive dissonance Occurs when people perceive an inconsistency between their beliefs, feelings, and behaviour. job satisfaction A person’s attitude regarding his or her job and work content. continuance commitment A bond felt by an employee that motivates him to stay only because leaving would be costly. negative affectivity (NA) The tendency to experience negative emotions. organizational commitment The employee’s emotional attachment to, identification with, and involvement in a particular organization. emotional dissonance The conflict between required and true emotions. emotional intelligence (EI) The ability to perceive and express emotion, assimilate emotion in thought, understand and reason with emotion, and regulate emotion in oneself and others positive affectivity (PA) The tendency to experience positive emotional states. psychological contract The individual’s beliefs about the terms and conditions of a reciprocal exchange agreement between that person and another party. emotional labour The effort, planning, and control needed to express organizationally desired emotions during interpersonal transactions. trust Positive expectations about another party’s intentions and actions in risky situations. emotions Psychological and physiological episodes toward an object, person, or event that create a state of readiness. 99 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes CHAPTER SYNOPSIS Emotions are psychological and physiological episodes experienced toward an object, person, or event that create a state of readiness. Emotions are typically organized into a bi-polar circle (circumplex) based on their pleasantness and activation. Emotions differ from attitudes, which represent the cluster of beliefs, feelings, and behavioural intentions toward a person, object, or event. Beliefs are a person’s established perceptions about the attitude object. Feelings are positive or negative evaluations of the attitude object. Behavioural intentions represent a motivation to engage in a particular behaviour with respect to the target. Attitudes have traditionally been studied as a rational process of analysing the value and expectancy of outcomes of the attitude object. Thus, beliefs predict feelings, which predict behavioural intentions, which predict behaviour. But this traditional perspective overlooks the role of emotions, which have an important influence of attitudes and behaviour. Emotions typically form before we think through situations, so they influence this rational attitude formation process. Emotions also affect behaviour directly. Behaviour sometimes influences our subsequent attitudes through cognitive dissonance. People also have the personality traits of positive or negative affectivity which affect their emotions and attitudes. Emotional labour refers to the effort, planning, and control needed to express organizationally desired emotions during interpersonal transactions. This is more common in jobs with frequent and lengthy customer interaction, where the job requires a variety of emotions displayed, and where employees must abide by the display rules. Emotional labour creates problems because true emotions tend to leak out, and conflict between expected and true emotions (emotional dissonance) causes stress and burnout. However, stress from emotional dissonance can be minimized through deep acing rather than surface acting. Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive and express emotion, assimilate emotion in thought, understand and reason with emotion, and regulate emotion in oneself and others. This concept includes four components arranged in a hierarchy: perceiving and expressing emotions, assimilating emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions. Emotional intelligence can be learned to some extent, particularly through personal coaching. Job satisfaction represents a person's evaluation of his or her job and work context. Satisfaction depends on the level of discrepancy between people expect to receive and what they experience. Although surveys indicate Canadians are highly satisfied with their jobs, these results may be somewhat inflated by the use of single-item questions and cultural differences. The exitvoice-loyalty-neglect model outlines four possible consequences of job dissatisfaction. Job satisfaction has a moderate relationship with job performance and with customer satisfaction. Job satisfaction is also a moral obligation in many societies. Affective organizational commitment (loyalty) refers to the employee’s emotional attachment to, identification with, and involvement in a particular organization. This contrasts with continuance commitment, which is a calculative bond with the organization. Affective commitment improves motivation and organizational citizenship, and somewhat higher job performance, whereas continuance commitment is associated with lower performance and organizational citizenship. Companies build loyalty through justice and support, some level of job security, organizational comprehension, employee involvement, and trust. The psychological contract refers to the individual’s beliefs about the terms and conditions of a reciprocal exchange agreement between that person and another party. Transactional psychological contracts are primarily short-term economic exchanges, whereas relational contracts are long-term attachments that encompass a broad array of subjective mutual obligations. Employees with high continuance commitment tend to have more transactional contracts, whereas employees with high affective commitment tend to have more of a relational psychological contract. Meanwhile, employees and employers in Canada and other countries have shifted from a psychological contract based on job security and loyalty to one of employability. 100 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes ® POWERPOINT SLIDES Canadian Organizational Behaviour includes a complete set of Microsoft PowerPoint® files for each chapter. (Please contact your McGraw-Hill Ryerson representative to find out how instructors can receive these files.) In the lecture outline that follows, a thumbnail illustration of each PowerPoint slide for this chapter is placed beside the corresponding lecture material. The slide number helps you to see your location in the slide show sequence and to skip slides that you don’t want to show to the class. (To jump ahead or back to a particular slide, just type the slide number and hit the Enter or Return key.) The transparency masters for this chapter are very similar to the PowerPoint files. LECTURE OUTLINE (with PowerPoint® slides) WORKPLACE EMOTIONS AND ATTITUDES Workplace Emotions and Attitudes Slide 1 OPENING VIGNETTE: LOYALTY AT SASKTEL The Regina-based telecommunications company hasn’t laid off anyone since it was founded in 1908. By avoiding layoffs, SaskTel is building a more loyal work force Loyalty at SaskTel Slide 2 EMOTIONS DEFINED Emotions Defined Slide 3 Psychological and physiological episodes experienced toward an object , person, or event that create a state of readiness • Brief events or episodes e.g. your anger toward a coworker would typically subside within a few minutes • Experienced through thoughts, behaviours, physiological reactions and facial expressions • Directed toward someone or something (unlike moods which are not directed) and demand our attention and interrupt our train of thought 101 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes TYPES OF EMOTIONS Types of Emotions Slide 4 Numerous emotions are experienced in the workplace and in other settings • Emotions can be organized based on their pleasantness and activation i.e. the extent the emotion triggers alertness or engagement EMOTIONS, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR Attitudes defined -- the cluster of beliefs, assessed feelings, and behavioural intentions toward an object • Judgments about the attitude object. • We experience emotions, whereas attitudes involve logical reasoning • Attitudes are more stable over time than are emotions Emotions, Attitudes, and Behaviour Slide 5 Three components of attitudes • Beliefs -- perceptions about the attitude object • Feelings -- positive or negative assessment of the attitude object • Behavioural intentions -- motivation to engage in a particular behaviour toward attitude object LINKING EMOTIONS TO BEHAVIOUR 1. From beliefs and emotions to feelings • Feelings toward object based on beliefs about object (rational) • Emotions also influence feelings in a more rapid and less precise way (emotional) 2. From feelings to intentions • Beliefs and feelings influence intentions • But people with same feelings can form different intentions due to different perceptions about consequences 102 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes 3. From intentions to behaviour • Intentions are best predictor of actual performance • Behaviour depends not just on motivation, but also on ability, role perceptions, and situational contingencies 4. From emotions to behaviour • Emotions can have a direct effect on behaviour when people react to their emotions (eg. banging a fist on the desk). Cognitive Dissonance • A state of anxiety that occurs when an individual’s beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviours are inconsistent with one another • People change attitude to be more consistent with past behaviours • Most common when behaviour is known to others, done voluntarily, and can’t be undone Emotions and Personality • Positive affectivity (PA) -- tendency to experience positive emotional states -- similar to extroversion • Negative affectivity (NA) -- tendency to experience negative emotional states MANAGING EMOTIONS AT WORK Emotional Labour Defined Slide 6 Emotional Labour • Effort, planning and control needed to express organizationally desired emotions during interpersonal transactions • Employees must apply display rules • Jobs have varying degrees of display rules -- depends on power and personal relationship of the person receiving the service (e.g. serving the president vs. serving a friend) Emotional labour is more challenging where: • Job requires frequent personal contact with clients and others (e.g. caregivers at a nursing home must show courtesy and control while fatigued) • Employees must display a variety of emotions and intense 103 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes emotions (eg. Show delight rather than a weak smile) 104 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes Emotional labour issues • Emotional dissonance is the conflict between required and true emotions. • Cross-cultural differences in emotional labour expectations Emotional Labour Issues Slide 7 Supporting emotional labour • Hire employees with competencies for displaying desired emotions (e.g. Four Seasons) • Provide extensive training—teach subtle behaviours/appropriate display rules—complete videotaped exercises and receive feedback (e.g. flight attendants) EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Ability to monitor your own and others’ emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use the information to guide your thinking and actions Model of Emotional Intelligence Slide 8 Four components of emotional intelligence (from lowest to highest): • Perceiving and expressing emotions: Ability to recognize the meaning of emotions, express emotions accurately and the ability to detect false emotions e.g. know when you have offended someone • Assimilating emotions: Ability to use emotions to prioritise, make decisions and shift our perceptions e.g. being able to shift emotions to see a different perspective • Understanding emotions: Ability to understand combinations and shifts in emotions that occur e.g. relationship between hate and fear • Managing emotions: Ability to regulate your emotions and the emotions of others e.g. being able to generate enthusiasm or calm fears of others 105 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes Improving emotional intelligence: • Select people with high EQ—assessments are fairly new Teach EQ—need more than a classroom—requires coaching and feedback EQ increases with age—part of maturity JOB SATISFACTION Job Satisfaction Defined Slide 9 An appraisal of the perceived job content and context and an employee’s emotional experience at work • Collection of attitudes toward specific job facets • Employee can be satisfied with some facets but not others • Different facets of satisfaction have different effects on employee behaviour • Overall job satisfaction -- a combination of feelings toward job satisfaction facets Levels of job satisfaction • Most employees claim to be generally satisfied with their jobs • Probably inflated because: -- revealing job dissatisfaction in a direct question threatens self-esteem Job Satisfaction and Work Behaviour: EVLN: Responses to Dissatisfaction Slide 10 Employees respond to dissatisfaction in four ways: 1. Exit: Leaving the situation by resigning from the organization or transferring 2. Voice: May be positive and constructive e.g. trying to work with management to solve a problem or may be confrontational e.g. filing a complaint or engaging in behaviours to draw attention 3. Loyalty: Waiting for the problem to be solved 4. Neglect: Passive activities with negative outcomes e.g. reducing work effort, increasing absenteeism 106 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes Job Satisfaction and Performance: Job Satisfaction and Performance Slide 11 Happy workers are productive workers to some extent: Recent studies suggest there is a moderate relationship between job satisfaction and job performance. 1. General attitudes predict specific behaviours poorly—e.g. some dissatisfied employees reduce work effort, others perform well while looking for another job 2. Job performance leads to job satisfaction, but only when performance is linked to valued rewards (which many companies don’t do well) 3. Job satisfaction-performance relationship is strongest in complex jobs where employees have more freedom to engage in discretionary behaviour e.g. leave early Customer satisfaction at Ipswitch Inc. • Software maker, Ipswitch Inc. thanks employees for steady financial performance by providing generous vacations and benefits Customer Satisfaction at Ipswitch Inc. Slide 12 Job Satisfaction and Customers Slide 13 Employee-CustomerProfit Chain Slide 14 Job satisfaction has a positive association with customer satisfaction and profitability because: 1. Job satisfaction affects mood, which leads to positive behaviours toward customers 2. Less turnover of satisfied employees, so more consistent and familiar service Employee-customer-profit chain model • Organizational practices improve job satisfaction • Job satisfaction improves customer perceptions of value through: -- less employee turnover – more consistent and familiar service -- improved staff motivation to serve customers -- job satisfaction affects mood, which leads to positive behaviours toward customers • Increased customer perceptions of value improves customer satisfaction, retention, and referrals • Improved customer satisfaction, retention, and referrals results in higher revenue growth and profits 107 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT Organizational Commitment Slide 15 Two types: 1. Affective commitment -- emotional attachment to, identification with, and involvement in an organization 2. Continuance commitment -- believing it is in their own personal interest to remain with the organization. Positive outcomes of employee loyalty (affective commitment) • Lower turnover, higher job performance, less absenteeism, improved customer satisfaction Negative outcomes of employee loyalty (affective commitment) • Too little turnover which limits bringing in new knowledge and ideas, conformity which hold back creativity BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT Practice better day-to-day management of employees 1. Justice and support Building Organizational Commitment Slide 16 • Practice values such as fairness, courtesy and moral integrity 2. Job security • Employees should feel some permanence and mutuality in the employment relationship --minimize layoff threats 3. Organizational comprehension • Keep employees informed about the company 4. Employee involvement -- increases loyalty in two ways: a. Employees feel part of the organization when involved in decisions b. Demonstrates company’s trust in its employees 5. Trust • Employee should have positive expectations about the employer’s intentions and actions • Need to show trust to receive trust 108 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT Definition – The individual’s beliefs about the terms and conditions of a reciprocal exchange agreement between that person and another party Psychological Contract Defined Slide 17 Perceptual so will differ among individuals Some common elements -- Employers expect employees to work contracted hours, perform quality work, deal honestly, demonstrate organizational citizenship etc. -- Employees expect employees to use fairness in decisions and application of rules, pay and benefits Employees also expect adequate personal time off, supportive leadership, safe work environment etc. Types of Psychological Contracts Transactional vs. Relational Contracts Slide 18 1. Transactional Contracts -- primarily short-term, economic exchanges -- narrowly-defined obligations that usually don’t change over time (i.e. static) 2. Relational Contracts -- more like marriages—long-term attachments -- dynamic—variable and loose reciprocity -- obligations are broader--pervasive -- more organizational citizenship Employability Employees must continuously upgrade their competencies for future work opportunities within and beyond the organization Features of Employability Slide 19 Employees must be flexible in work arrangements The job is a temporary event, not permanent possession No guarantee of lifetime employment Learning is constant—the currency of employability 109 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes Permanence of employability Low unemployment might shift psychological contracts back to job security, but two factors continue to push for employability: 1. Turbulent business environment -- more difficult to guarantee job security 2. Changing employee expectation -- Generation-X and Generation-Y place less value on job security; recent Japanese university graduates prefer challenging work and performance-based pay to life-long employment TRANSPARENCY MASTERS Transparency 4.1: Emotions Defined Transparency 4.2: Types of Emotions Transparency 4.3: Emotions, Attitudes, and Behaviour Transparency 4.4: Emotional Labour Defined Transparency 4.5: Emotional Labour Issues Transparency 4.6: Model of Emotional Intelligence Transparency 4.7: Job Satisfaction Defined Transparency 4.8: EVLN: responses to Dissatisfaction Transparency 4.9: Job Satisfaction and Performance Transparency 4.10: Job Satisfaction and Customers Transparency 4.11: Employee-Customer-Profit Chain Transparency 4.12: Organizational Commitment Transparency 4.13: Building Organizational Commitment Transparency 4.14: Psychological Contract Defined Transparency 4.14: Transactional vs. Relational Contracts Transparency 4.15: Features of Employability 110 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes SOLUTIONS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. After a few months on the job, Susan has experienced several emotional episodes ranging from frustration to joy toward the work she is assigned. Use the attitude model to explain how these emotions affect Susan’s level of job satisfaction with the work itself. maintain a sense of interest and show respect for the students query. In the second part of this question, students can be asked to compare these emotional labour incidents with those of 9-1-1 and other emergency operators. In spite of the difficult tasks that instructors may think they experience in emotional labour, most students will say it pales against the work of 9-1-1 operators. Susan’s emotions are feelings experienced toward an object, person, or event that create a state of readiness. Her job satisfaction represents judgments toward various aspects of her job. The experienced emotions influence job satisfaction through feelings. Feelings are positive or negative assessments of our emotional experiences relating to the attitude object. These assessments are developed from our emotional experiences. Students should be asked to explain why these emergency workers must engage in more emotional labour than professors. Generally, students will note how 9-1-1 operators face more extreme emotional events that test their ability to remain calm and to console others. They also experience more extreme frustration given the life-threatening nature of the situation for their clients. Generally, the discussion should review the three factors that provides challenges to emotional labour: (a) frequent interaction with other people; (b) need to display a variety of emotions (to some extent for 91-1 operators); and (c) the organization and job requires strict display rules. Thus, if Susan’s emotional experiences on the job are mostly negative, she will likely have negative feelings and, consequently, be dissatisfied with her job. However, it should also be noted that job satisfaction is influenced by perceptions as well as emotions. 2. A recent study reported that college instructors are frequently required to engage in emotional labour. Identify the situations in which emotional labour is required for this job. In your opinion, is emotional labour more troublesome for college instructors or for telephone operators working at a 9-1-1 emergency service? NOTE: For a recent study of emotional labour among 9-1-1 operators, see: K. Tracy and S. J. Tracy, “Rudeness at 911,” Human Communication Research, 25 (December 1998), pp. 225-51. 3. This question really has two parts to it. In the first part, students can be asked to identify situations where instructors use emotional labour, and what display rules are considered appropriate. Some situations are as follows: • A student asks for an assignment extension one too many times. The instructor must maintain a calm demeanour, yet display firmness in his/her reply. • The instructor has been teaching for six hours straight, yet must maintain an image of fresh enthusiasm throughout that final hour. • A student asks a profoundly silly question without realizing it. The instructor must “Emotional intelligence is more important than cognitive intelligence in influencing an individual’s success.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your perspective. Many students may argue that to be successful, an individual requires high IQ (cognitive intelligence). Although cognitive intelligence is important, many organizations are recognizing that EI (emotional intelligence) is a critical competency for the performance of most jobs. To effectively work in dynamic, team-oriented environments, employees require the ability to manage, understand, assimilate and express emotions effectively. 4. 111 Describe a time when you effectively managed someone’s emotions. What happened? What was the result? Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes This question is an example of a behavioural question that could be asked in an employment interview in an organization that views managing emotions as a competency associated with effectiveness. The interviewer will be assessing your past behaviour with respect to the highest level of emotional intelligence—managing emotions. more likely to display positive emotions which in turn positively affect the customer’s mood and experience. b) Satisfied employees are more likely to stay with the organization and longer-service employees tend to have more skills and experience to better serve customers. In addition, some customers build loyalty to any employee, not the organization, so retaining these employees maintains customer loyalty. An example of an effective response to this question would be to describe a time when you effectively created excitement or generated enthusiasm among co-workers to implement a desired organizational change. The interviewer will also be looking for a summary of the specific actions you took as well as the behaviours you demonstrated in achieving this result. 5. 7. Organizations can do a variety of things to create an environment where employees are more likely to demonstrate loyalty to the organization: The latest employee satisfaction survey in your organization indicates that employees are unhappy with some aspects of the organization. However, management tends to pay attention to the same single-item question asking employees to indicate their overall satisfaction with the job. The results of this item indicate that 86 percent of staff members are very or somewhat satisfied, so management concludes that the other results refer to issues that are probably not important to employees. Explain why management’s interpretation of these results may be inaccurate. The problem with the single direct question about job satisfaction is that it threatens the self-esteem of many people who are dissatisfied with their jobs. Consequently, they tend to give a more favourable response to this question than reflects their actual job satisfaction. This is apparent because scores are lower on specific facets of job satisfaction. 6. 8. - Treat employees with fairness, courtesy, forgiveness and moral integrity - Support employee well-being - Avoid layoffs and threats of layoffs - Keep employees informed about what is happening in the company and connected to other co-workers - Involve employees in decision-making - Trust employees and ensure leaders are trustworthy “The emerging psychological contract is employability.” What is the employee’s responsibility in this “new deal”? Employees must take responsibility for their own careers and continuously develop competencies for future roles within a company and beyond. Employees also need to anticipate future organizational needs and develop competencies to serve these needs. Employees also need to accept challenging work assignments and remain flexible and adaptive. “Happy employees create happy customers.” Discuss. There are two main reasons why employee job satisfaction positively affects customer service. a) What factors influence an employee’s organizational loyalty? Job satisfaction affects an employee’s general mood. Employees who are in a good mood are 112 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes PHOTO CAPTION CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS A: The Bahamas trip may have a positive effect on organizational commitment because it increases employee fairness and satisfaction. With higher organizational commitment, employees are less likely to quit their jobs and be absent from work. Organizational commitment also improves customers satisfaction because long tenure employees have better knowledge of work practices and clients like to do business with the same employees. Employees with high affective commitment also have higher work motivation and organizational citizenship. Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center Q: Looking at the four dimensions in the SaloveyMayer model, why is it important for physicians to have a high emotional intelligence? A: To answer this question, students need to consider each of the dimensions of emotional intelligence in the context of physicians’ work. First, perceiving and expressing emotions is important because physicians need to recognize and understand their moods, emotions, and needs so they can more accurately perceive and anticipate how their actions affect others. Second, physicians need to assimilate emotions, that is, bring emotions into their decision making. The reason for this is that physicians need to ensure that they make decisions that empathize with patients and yet are not overwhelmed by emotions. The third level of emotional intelligence includes the ability to understand combinations of emotions as well as how an emotion will likely make a transition to another emotion. This is important for physicians because they need to be aware of the emotional dynamic of patients. Finally, physicians need to be able to manage the emotions of others. B.C. Government Layoffs Q: What could the B.C. government do to minimize the amount of employee loyalty lost due to these layoffs? A: The answer to this question draws on the other strategies (i.e. other than job security) to build organizational commitment described in the textbook. First, justice and support can be practiced by demonstrating to employees that the layoffs applied justice rules, and that the government provided humanitarian support to those laid off as well to survivors. Organizational comprehension involves keeping employees informed of the government’s actions. To offset the effects of layoffs, the government could increase employee involvement in other aspects of the workplace. Lastly, government leaders can try to demonstrate increased trust in employees, and earn their trust through fair practices. Ipswitch, Inc. Q: Along with job satisfaction, what other work attitude described in this chapter might explain why a trip to the Bahamas increases customer satisfaction? 113 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes ACTIVITY 4.1: CASE ANALYSIS THE LANGUAGE INCIDENT These case notes were prepared by Beth Gilbert, University of New Brunswick, St. John. Case Synopsis and Additional Comments for Instructors This case involves an incident whereby a clerk acted unusually towards Susan, a French-language exchange student working in a department of the Quebec government. The other clerk’s behaviour, which was both embarrassing and perplexing to Susan, illustrates the importance of emotional intelligence. I use this case at the start of term when I am trying to encourage group discussion in a class where there are a lot of different speech patterns due to accents and physical disabilities. I encourage students to view challenges in understanding other students’ speech as a learning opportunity, not something to avoid. I point out that if one student does not understand another student the first time, just try again. It’s not as though we are dealing with emergency situations (like the building burning down) where immediate understanding is important. Suggested Answers to Case Questions 1. What happened? Specifically, what emotions might the clerk have been feeling? What emotions do you think that Susan was feeling? Susan should have been more sensitive to the fact that the clerk might be caught off guard by her language skills and anticipate the possible reaction from the clerk, prior to approaching him. The people in her own department were accustomed to her and had likely been prepared from the outset to deal with a summer exchange student. Students discuss that the clerk might have felt any or all of the following: (a) embarrassment (for Susan and himself) because he had trouble understanding and he was not able to speak English. Evidence to support this was that his face turned red; (b) a desire to help and thought he was achieving this by finding someone who could speak English; (c) flustered; (d) impatient because he may have had a lot of work to do. Knowledge of emotional intelligence would have helped both Susan and the clerk. Higher levels of empathy would have helped them understand each other be able to “walk in the other person’s shoes.” Emotional self-awareness would have helped them understand their own emotions, control them, and respond in a productive manner. Students may mention racism. Although this was not the situation, an instructor should be prepared for it and be ready to encourage students to consider all the other possibilities first. 3. The emotions that Susan was feeling included: (a) embarrassment because her French was not good; (b) nervousness due to speaking to a stranger in a different language; (c) annoyance when the clerk left to get a translator because she was sure they could communicate with a little more effort. 2. What could Susan and the clerk have done differently to improve the outcome. Part of emotional intelligence is being able to manage not only your own emotions in a constructive fashion, but also the emotions of others. If Susan had approached the clerk and outlined her situation right at the beginning, then the outcome might have been different. She could have introduced herself, explained that she was a summer exchange student, stated that her French was not perfect but with a bit patience she could make herself understood. (This might be a phrase that she could have used frequently, so it might have been helpful to have it prepared.) The clerk might have viewed the situation as a learning opportunity, not a situation to avoid. Calmly asking Susan to repeat herself, would have been the respectful and productive approach. Why did this happen? Of what value is emotional intelligence in a situation such as this? The clerk may have had limited (or no) opportunity to communicate with people not fluent in his own language. Consequently, when he encountered this for the first time he did not know what to do. Rather than looking at it as an opportunity to communicate with people who speak another language, being patient, and allowing Susan to repeat herself, he became flustered, embarrassed, impatient, or whatever. 114 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes ACTIVITY 4.2: CASE ANALYSIS STEVENS COMPUTING SYSTEMS Case Synopsis This case is fictional but the underlying premise is one that is regularly encountered in life. Namely, something really bad happens at a really bad time. People’s reactions tend to be either to completely freak out or walk away saying “I can’t deal with this right now”. Either way the result is not going to be desirable. The events of this case were designed to illustrate Shane Stevens using a much more emotionally intelligent response to the problem he is faced with. Thus, the case is essentially an application of the components of the EI model. When trying this case out in the classroom, students didn’t have much difficulty generating examples of EI from Stevens’ behaviour. However, some overlap did occur in terms of certain actions relating to more than one EI component. This led to a discussion of the interactions and flow between the EI levels. To extend the analysis even further, one could consider concepts such as perceptions, management practices, and leadership style. Suggested Answer to Case Question Describe how Shane Stevens used each of the four components of Emotional Intelligence to solve the problems in this case. Perceiving and Expressing Emotions: This refers to the ability to recognize the meaning of emotions that you and others express, the ability to express emotions accurately, and the ability to detect false emotions. A key factor in the case is that Stevens was on vacation when the programming error occurred. Therefore, he was anything but eager to deal with it. He could have refused to become involved or become very angry. Instead, he stifled his initial impulse and channelled his emotions into a problem solving mindset. Understanding Emotions: This third level includes the ability to understand combinations of emotions as well as how an emotion will likely make a transition to another emotion. Stevens completely understood that the wholesaler’s managers were livid and that one little gesture would not alter that. Therefore, he used a combination of problem resolution, entertainment, and a special rate offer to change their emotional state from anger to appeasement. Managing Emotions: The fourth and highest level of EI refers to the ability to regulate emotions in yourself and others. People with high EI know how to keep calm in situations where others would get angry. They are also able to generate or control emotions in others. Stevens displayed this highest EI level of managing emotions in himself and others. As mentioned, he resisted his own initial reaction and instead motivated himself to solve the problem, and then proceeded to regulate the emotions of the wholesaler’s managers. In addition, while it is not specifically recorded in the case, one can imagine the change in the programmer after Stevens visited her at home to provide personal support through this difficult time. Assimilating Emotions: This second level of EI involves bringing (assimilating) emotions into our perceptions and judgment. Emotions help us to prioritize information, make judgments more effectively, and perceive a situation differently. Stevens returned to the company determined to solve the problem himself. He perceived it as a challenge to be met rather than an annoyance. He quickly formulated a plan involving the suspended employee, a problem solving team, and meeting with the clients. 115 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes ACTIVITY 4.3: TEAM EXERCISE RANKING JOBS ON THEIR EMOTIONAL LABOUR Purpose inferred from job descriptions. These descriptions include work requirements in a social setting, but they do not directly describe or estimate the degree of emotional labour required for the occupation. The expert results also provide a brief explanation of the ranking. Generally, teams make better decisions than do individuals working alone in this exercise.. This is reflected by a “Team Score” that is usually lower than the “Individual Score.” The reason (which students learn in Chapter 10) is that team members bring more information to the decision than does the average individual However, some individuals score better than the group because they have expertise on this topic and their team does not rely completely on the suggestions of members who claims to be experts. The discussion following the exercise should focus on the reasons why students ranked some jobs higher than others on the level of emotional labour. Generally, emotional labour increases with: This exercise is designed to help students to understand the jobs in which people tend to experience higher or lower degrees of emotional labour. Instructions Step 1: Students are asked to individually rank order the extent that the jobs listed below require emotional labour. In other words, they assign a “1” to the job they believe requires the most effort, planning, and control to express organizationally desired emotions during interpersonal transactions. They would assign a “10” to the job they believe requires the least amount of emotional labour. Students mark their rankings in column 1. Step 2: The instructor will form teams of 4 or 5 members and each team will rank order the items based on consensus (not simply averaging the individual rankings). These results are placed in column 2. Step 3: The instructor will provide expert ranking information. This information should be written in column 3. Then, students calculate the differences in columns 4 and 5. 1. Step 4: The class will compare the results and discuss the features of jobs with high emotional labour. 2. Comments for Instructors 3. This expert ranking provided below is based on a careful review of information in the U.S. Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2000-01. See web site: http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm. (The Canadian Government’s web site on the National Occupational Classification provides plenty of information, but not enough on job requirements.) Although this expert ranking uses established information, it is not necessarily the most accurate source. One problem is that there can be significant differences in the experiences of people within the occupation. For example, some social workers might have very cooperative and relatively well-adjusted clients, whereas others must work intensively with more difficult people. Another issue is that the rankings are 4. The extent to which the job has required display rules. Emotional labour is higher where the job requires the job incumbent to display emotions while interacting with customers, suppliers, and others. The frequency and length of interaction with other people. Emotional labour is higher where employees must display emotions frequent and for long periods of time. The intensity of emotions required during this interaction. Emotional labour is higher where the job incumbent must display more extreme emotions. The extent to which the display rules create emotional dissonance. Emotional labour is higher where incumbents must display emotions that are dissimilar or contrary to their true emotions at the time of the emotional display. Along with presenting the results of this exercise, the instructor may want to encourage students to discuss their personal experiences in any of these jobs. In classes with older students, I have found that students have numerous fascinating stories about how they had to cope with difficult interactions involving clients, patients, suppliers, and others. 116 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes EXPERT RANKING ON EMOTIONAL LABOUR (1=HIGHEST) Occupation Expert Ranking Explanation of Ranking Bartender 4 Bartenders “must be friendly and helpful with customers.” In small establishments, bartenders must also deal with unruly customers, but this is typically handled by other employees in larger establishments. Some bartenders do not interact directly with customers. Some bartenders serve customers, but have limited interaction with them, so they have limited emotional labour duties. Cashier 8 Although cashiers work almost all of their time in front of customers, the interaction with each customer is typically brief, routine, and with limited conversation. Dental hygienist 7 People in this job work with patients, but the job description involves mainly performing tasks with limited interaction with patients (who are usually unable to speak during the work anyway!) However, emotional labour is required by maintaining a pleasant or neutral disposition throughout the visit. They also spend some time talking with patients about dental hygiene. Dental hygienists must also maintain a calm disposition when assisting the dentist during surgical work. Insurance adjuster 6 Although adjusters interact with claimants, a fair portion of their task involves collecting information about the event, reviewing police records, and comparing data with other claims. Interaction with claimants may require some emotional labour where the claim is a personal injury or loss of valuable goods. However, this interaction is relatively brief. Some emotional labour may also occur where claims need to be negotiated with the claimant. Lawyer 5 The emotional labour required of lawyers varies significantly with the type of work. Barristers (trial lawyers) must “be able to think quickly and speak with ease and authority.” Other lawyers spend most of their time performing research or attending to the practice’s administrative tasks. Most lawyers spent some time with clients, which requires both authority and empathy from the lawyer during these interviews. Librarian 9 The librarian’s interaction with the public can vary with the specific position. Some have little direct interaction, relying instead on technology to manage most queries. Other librarians must help to answer customer questions, read to children, and work with public groups. However, “librarians spend a significant portion of time at their desks or in front of computer terminals.” Most interaction tasks are for a short duration and have low intensity. Postal clerk 10 Postal clerks include people who work at retail counters and those who process letters and packages. The former are similar to cashiers (see above) in their emotional labour requirements. The latter have almost no interaction with the public, just with other postal employees. Thus, their emotional labour requirements would be no more than for any other job involving some interaction with coworkers. 117 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes Registered nurse 2 Registered nurses vary from staff nurses in hospitals to public health nurses in schools. Most hospital nurses engage in considerable emotional labour and “need emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.” They must frequently exhibit emotions that they are “caring and sympathetic.” They must also manage the emotions of patients and visitors. Social worker 1 Social workers have frequent interaction with clients, sometimes with heavy case loads. They “see clients who face a life-threatening disease or a social problem.” Depending on the type of client, social workers must display emotions of control, empathy, and support. The job “can be emotionally draining.” Television announcer 3 Television announcers must sound and look consistently pleasant on-air, and display similar emotions during the many public events required for the job. “The most successful announcers attract a large audience by combining a pleasing personality and voice with an appealing style.” This can create emotional dissonance where the announcer works under tight deadlines or interviews people with aggressive behaviour. However, announcers also spend a large portion of their time away from an audience preparing on-air scripts. NOTE: These expert rankings are inferred from job requirement information described in the U.S. Dictionary of Occupational Titles. They involve some degree of subjective interpretation, so might not be completely accurate. 118 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes ACTIVITY 4.4: SELF-ASSESSMENT SCHOOL COMMITMENT SCALE Purpose student to the school where they are attending this program. This exercise is designed to help students understand the concept of organizational commitment and to assess their commitment to the college or university they are currently attending. Instructions Students are asked to read each of the statements below and circle the response that best fits their personal belief. They use the scoring key in Appendix B of the textbook to calculate their results. Class discussion should focus on the meaning of the different types of organizational commitment and how well this scale applies to the commitment of students toward the college or university they are attending. Overview The concept of commitment is as relevant to students enrolled in college or university courses as it does to employees working in various organizations. This selfassessment adapts a popular organizational commitment instrument so it refers to the person’s commitment as a Feedback for the School Commitment Scale [NOTE: The following information is also provided in Appendix B and/or the Student CD.] This scale measures both affective commitment and continuance commitment toward your school. Affective commitment Continuance commitment Affective commitment refers to a person’s emotional attachment to, identification with, and involvement in a particular organization. In this scale, the organization is the school where you are attending as a student. Scores on this scale range from 6 to 42. A higher score indicates a higher level of affective commitment. How does your score compare with others? Ideally, you would compare your score with the collective results of other students in your class, but this might not be possible. Alternatively, the following graph provides a more general estimate of high and low affective commitment based on a sample of Canadian employees. Continuance commitment occurs when employees believe it is in their own personal interest to remain with the organization. People with a high continuance commitment have a strong calculative bond with the organization. In this scale, the organization is the school where you are attending as a student. How does your score compare with others? Ideally, you would compare your score with the collective results of other students in your class, but this might not be possible. Alternatively, the following graph provides a more general estimate of high and low continuance commitment based on a sample of Canadian employees. Score Interpretation Score Interpretation Above 37 High affective commitment Above 32 High continuance commitment 32-36 Above average 26-31 Above average 28-31 Average 21-25 Average 20-27 Below average 13-20 Below average Below 20 Low affective commitment Below 13 Low continuance commitment 119 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes ACTIVITY 4.5: SELF-ASSESSMENT DISPOSITIONAL MOOD SCALE Purpose person naturally experiences as part of their personality. It consists of 20 words representing various emotions that a person might have experienced. For each word presented, students are asked to indicate the extent to which they have felt this way generally across all situations over the past six months. Students need to be honest with themselves to receive a reasonable estimate of their dispositional mood. This self-assessment is designed to help students understand mood states or personality traits of emotions and to assess their own mood or emotion personality. Instructions Our emotions are influenced by both the situation and our own personality. This instrument estimates dispositional mood, that is, the level of emotion that a Feedback for the Dispositional Mood Scale [NOTE: The following information is also provided in the Student CD.] This self-assessment is designed to help students to estimate their dispositional mood, that is, their general emotional tendency based on your personality. The four dispositional mood categories created in this scale are positive energy, relaxation, negative arousal, and tiredness. These four categories are distinguished in two ways: (1) positive affectivity versus negative affectivity and (2) high activation and low activation. Thus, the four subscales are consistent with the affect circumplex model shown in the textbook. The only difference is that this scale measures emotional personality rather than emotions in a specific setting. Positive energy Relaxation People who score high on positive energy have positive affectivity and high activation. Positive affectivity is the tendency to experience positive emotional states. It is very similar to extroversion, a personality trait depicting people who are outgoing, talkative, sociable, and assertive. Positive energy also includes high activation, meaning that people who score high on this scale experience more energizing or motivating positive emotions. Scores on this scale range from 1 to 5. From a sample of hospital employees, the average score was 3.0. People who score high on relaxation have positive affectivity and low activation. Positive affectivity is the tendency to experience positive emotional states. It is very similar to extroversion, a personality trait depicting people who are outgoing, talkative, sociable, and assertive. Relaxation also includes low activation, meaning that people who score high on this scale experience more passive (less energizing) positive emotions. Scores on this scale range from 1 to 5. From a sample of hospital employees, the average score was 2.6. Score Interpretation Score Interpretation 3.8 to 5.0 High positive energy 3.8 to 5.0 High relaxation 2.4 to 3.7 Moderate positive energy 2.4 to 3.7 Moderate relaxation 1.0 to 2.3 Low positive energy 1.0 to 2.3 Low relaxation 120 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes Negative arousal Tiredness People who score high on negative arousal have a tendency toward negative affectivity and high activation. Negative affectivity is the tendency to negative emotions. Negative arousal also includes high activation, meaning that people who score high on this scale experience negative emotions that demand our attention (e.g., anger, upset). People with negative arousal tend to be more distressed and unhappy because they focus on the negative aspects of life. Scores on this scale range from 1 to 5. From a sample of hospital employees, the average score was 2.1. People who score high on tiredness have a tendency toward negative affectivity and low activation. Negative affectivity is the tendency to negative emotions. Tiredness also includes low activation, meaning that people who score high on this scale experience more passive (less demanding) negative emotions. Scores on this scale range from 1 to 5. From a sample of hospital employees, the average score was 2.3. Score Interpretation 3.8 to 5.0 High negative arousal 2.4 to 3.7 Moderate negative arousal 1.0 to 2.3 Low negative arousal 121 Score Interpretation 3.8 to 5.0 High tiredness 2.4 to 3.7 Moderate tiredness 1.0 to 2.3 Low tiredness Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE: A MODEL OF JOB SATISFACTION What determines our level of job satisfaction? The best explanation is provided by a combination of discrepancy theory and equity theory. Discrepancy theory states that the level of job satisfaction is determined by the discrepancy between what people expect to receive and what they experience. As the exhibit below illustrates, job satisfaction or dissatisfaction results from a comparison of the amount the employee expects to receive and the perceived amount received. Job dissatisfaction occurs when the received condition is noticeably less than the expected condition. Job satisfaction improves as the person's expectations are met or exceeded (up to a point). Equity theory is also built into the job satisfaction model (see exhibit below). Equity theory is one component of workplace justice, which will be discussed in Chapter 5 of this textbook. Generally, equity occurs when the person and comparison other have similar outcome/input ratios. This is relevant to job satisfaction, because the amount we expect to receive is partly determined by our comparison with other people. For instance, the level of pay we expect to receive depends not only on how hard we work, but also on how hard other people work in this job compared to their level of pay. Equity theory also explains why job satisfaction does not always continue to increase as the received condition exceeds expectations. As people receive much better outcomes than they expect, they typically develop feelings of guilt and a belief that management practices are unfair to others. At first, employees adjust their expectations upward when they are overrewarded. However, if the overreward is so large that it cannot be justified, then feelings of inequity persist and dissatisfaction with management practices may result. In summary, discrepancy and equity theories predict that as reality meets and exceeds expectations, job satisfaction will increase. However, when the perceived job situation is so much better than expected that the overreward creates a feeling of guilt or unfairness, job satisfaction begins to decrease. Sources: D. B. McFarlin and R. W. Rice, "The Role of Facet Importance as a Moderator in Job Satisfaction Processes," Journal of Organizational Behaviour 13 (1992), pp. 41--54; E. E. Lawler III, Motivation in Work Organizations (Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 1973), pp. 66--69, 74--77. Outcomes /Inputs of Others Amount Expected Job Satisfaction Job Dissatisfaction Inequity Feelings Past Experience Perceived Amount Received Based on E. E. Lawler III, Motivation in Work Organizations (Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1973), p. 75. 122 Chapter 4 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE: AIRPLANE HUMOUR This chapter describes how several organizations develop positive emotions and attitudes. Westjet and other airlines instill positive emotions among passengers by telling jokes on the intercom and playing games. This supplement presents some of the humorous statements made on airlines in the United States. 1. From a Southwest Airlines employee: "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only four ways out of this airplane ..." 2. Pilot: "Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I am going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish, but please stay inside the plane till we land ... it's a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern." 3. After landing: "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride." 4. As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Washington National, a lone voice comes over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA" 5. After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced: "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted." 6. 7. 8. 9. "As you exit the plane, please make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses." 10. "Last one off the plane must clean it." 11. From the pilot during his welcome message: "We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry ... Unfortunately none of them are on this flight ..." 12. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant came on the PA and announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate." 13. Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal." From a Southwest Airlines employee: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight XXX to YYY. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt and if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised. In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with two small children, decide now which one you love more." 14. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the flight attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt up against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal." 15. Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of us here at US Airways." "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you or your money more than Southwest Airlines." Source: St. John’s Telegram e-mail newsletter, by John Gushue Tuesday, May 23, 2000 "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation and in the event of an emergency water landing, please take them with our compliments." 123 Part 2 Individual Behaviour and Processes VIDEO SUGGESTIONS Along with the video cases for this part of the textbook, the following videos and films generally relate to one or more topics in this chapter. These programs may be available at your college/university or rented from the distributor. Please contact your film librarian to determine the availability of these programs at your institution. This list was compiled from library holdings of several universities. Due to the variety of video material, this is not a comprehensive list. Nor can we say that all of the programs below are suitable for your class. Attitude: It’s Your Choice (1992, 15 min., VHS). This program identifies work attitude as one’s work “posture.” It presents a rationale for employees to adopt a positive attitude in order to achieve increased job satisfaction. Revitalizing after Downsizing. (1999, 15 min., Ash Quarry). This program offers ways in which managers can rebuild the morale of their remaining employees after the company has downsized. Emotional Intelligence. (199?, 70 min., Media International & PBS). Taped before a live studio audience, Dr. Daniel Goleman presents his ideas on the emotional mind, offering viewers the knowledge and tools to improve their emotional reactions. He demonstrating how strong inter-personal skills such as self-awareness, managing emotions, motivation, empathy and social skills can be instrumental in improving one's health, family life and professional prospects. Dr. Goleman explains that people who are emotionally intelligent tend to lead more successful lives as parents, partners and co-workers. Communicating Across Cultures. (1992, 30 min., Copeland Griggs). This program examines differences in communication styles. It demonstrates the misunderstandings that can result when people of different national origin or ethnic background (or even personality) try to communicate. It also shows how discomfort around the subjects of race, gender and other differences inhibits feedback and constructive interaction. Humour, Risk & Change. (1990, 20 min. each of 3 videos, VHS). This delightful program shows the value of humour as a stress management tool in effectively coping with change, pressure and crisis in the work place. It demonstrates physical exercises - humaerobics - and mental techniques to develop humour skills. This very enjoyable video series can also be used for your classes on managing change. Building a Winning Team. (1997, 29 min., Carrollton, TX) : Associated with Matt Weinstein’s book, Managing to Have Fun, this video program provides a live audience with specific examples of building a winning team. Weinstein suggests using humour or fun to permit employees to vent, to foster problem solving, and to create an atmosphere of appreciation at work. Heads Up: Attitudes about Work and Customers. (1985, 20 min., VHS). Produced by Walgreens, this program follows two employees through a typical shift and then has them discuss their different approaches to work. The program might be appropriate for a case analysis of the two employees. Even Eagles Need a Push. (199?, 24 min., VHS). In this recently produced video, consultant David McNally shows viewers how to enthusiastically commit to new levels of achievement and excellence. He describes five qualities of a confident, empowered employee. Who Cares? Building Loyalty in a Changing Workplace. (1992, 20 min., Crisp). This video program discusses the challenge of the new work force, the changing values of today's employees, and ways to build trust, commitment, and loyalty. It stresses honest communication, ethical dealings, employee participation, appreciation, and respectful treatment. 124 Chapter 4 NOTES 125 Workplace Emotions and Attitudes