After reading Chapter 4 in Cohen, respond to the questions below in the
discussion thread. Your responses should provide specific concepts from the text
and other sources.
1. What are some essential skills needed to establish effective working relationships? Of these, which do you think is the most important? How can this skill be developed?
2. Discuss the fine line between providing direction and ordering people around.
How can a manager deal with this balance?
The Hawthorne Effect resulted from experiments observing employees at a
factory years ago. While the original intent of the investigation was to “scientifically” determine how to increase human productivity, the importance of
the findings involving human nature revolutionized how management practices
are studied. Explain in 250 to 500 words
1. Explain the Hawthorne effect in your own words.
2. How would the Hawthorne effect inform your approach to managing people?
3. With more remote and hybrid work options (and class options), how can
managers benefit from the knowledge of the Hawthorne effect – and does it still
matter? Why or why not?
Observation PROMPT
During the week of September 17-24, assignments were drawn from a TED video
(Schwartz) and the textbook. You were also able to read the discussion thread.
Overall, did the materials give you a better understanding of effective and ineffective
management?
Did you like one or more assignments better (questions on Cohen
textbook reading or the Schwartz video on Practical Wisdom)? Are there questions you
have about the week’s work?
Respond back to other classmate
Effective managers can establish effective working relationships by utilizing their influence to enforce proper communication skills, negotiation tactics, problem-solving, and empathy.
Communication is the more important skill because it cannot be taught directly and instead comes naturally as a soft skill that develops with experience. A manager with proper communication skills will be able to build trust and empathy with their employees that will entail proper problem-solving and smooth operations. Providing direction is important to showcase the
managers listening skills as they should be able to take feedback and engage with the
members. Ordering people around showcases an inability to be flexible or adapt.
Creating opportunities for effective communication is important in order for the bosses to receive feedback from members because the organization will always need to improve as an entity. The hospital specifically needed to make sure they were training and producing proper healthcare providers that may go on to other organizations and take the experience and skills they learned. Open communication allows for others to ask for help when needed and for someone to observe and aid someone else. Establishing this culture will reflect on the employees as they will grow and be more likely to introduce innovative ideas and establish a culture of feedback. -Kamiya
