Workplace Styles

 

 

 

SCENARIO: Monica and Jennifer are coworkers that have been assigned to work on a project together. Jennifer is very organized and wants her and Monica to do really well on this project. To get started, Jennifer took some initiative and prepared a list of to-do items along with the due dates. She even color-coded the list to indicate who will do which item. Shortly after, Jennifer sends an email to Monica with the to-do list attached. Jennifer wants her partner to know that she is serious about their success.

Monica is happy her teammate has shown initiative but is surprised by Jennifer's to-do list and feels a bit uncomfortable as she is feeling like Jennifer is micromanaging her. Monica wants to do her part on the project but is feeling anxious because she doesn’t know where she fits in. Monica is worried about working on the project. She wonders if she can succeed in this project since Jennifer is already the leader. Prior to this situation, Monica worked for a separate employer who asked her to work on a similar project. She felt anxious about her ability to successfully complete the project and attempted to communicate her feelings with a co-worker. However, her co-worker didn’t seem to understand Monica's concerns and said that she should just ignore her feelings and get the work done.

As Monica ponders having a conversation with Jennifer, she starts to feel overwhelmed and thinks it might just be easier to be removed from the project.

Now, it is time to practice the skills and concepts that you have learned to help your friend Monica navigate through a difficult workplace situation. Using your problem solving and self and social awareness skill, as well as what you have learned about personality traits and emotions, answer the questions in this case study assignment. Remember, you are to help Monica calm her anxiety and find a solution to her problem.

Download and use the touchstone response template to answer the questions.


download
Psy1010 Touchstone 3.2 Response Template

In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review this tutorial for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert: Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.
Share your feedback on Touchstones
________________________________________


1. What are the "Big 5" personality traits? Name and describe each of them, using specific details and information from the case study and course lessons.
2. Consider the different approaches to the project taken by both Monica and Jennifer. On which of the Big 5 personality traits do they most differ? Discuss these differences in their personality traits.
3. Using what you learned about emotions, what advice would you give to Monica? Describe a specific strategy that Monica can use to manage her emotions and successfully complete the project.
4. If you were in this situation, how confident are you that you could successfully resolve a workplace conflict like the one that Monica faced? What past experiences or knowledge influence your answer? Explain how your experience or knowledge can resolve a similar workplace conflict.

 

 

 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This response addresses Monica's situation using concepts from personality traits and emotions, offering advice and analysis based on the provided scenario.

 

1. The "Big 5" Personality Traits

 

The "Big 5" or Five-Factor Model (FFM) is a widely accepted model of personality that describes five broad dimensions or factors of human personality. These traits are typically stable over time and across situations.

TraitDescription
Openness to ExperienceCharacterizes someone who is imaginative, insightful, unconventional, and possesses a wide range of interests. High scorers enjoy new experiences and intellectual pursuits.
ConscientiousnessReflects a tendency to be organized, dependable, disciplined, and goal-oriented. High scorers are careful and systematic.
ExtraversionPertains to being outgoing, assertive, and energetic. High scorers enjoy social interactions and seek stimulation.
AgreeablenessDescribes individuals who are cooperative, kind, trustworthy, and compassionate towards others. High scorers value getting along with people.
NeuroticismCharacterized by a tendency toward negative emotions such as anxiety, worry, moodiness, and sadness. High scorers are emotionally reactive and vulnerable to stress.

Differences in Big 5 Personality Traits

 

Based on the scenario, Monica and Jennifer most differ on the trait of Conscientiousness, followed by potential differences in Neuroticism.

 

Conscientiousness

 

Jennifer (High Conscientiousness): Jennifer demonstrates high conscientiousness by being very organized, taking initiative to prepare a detailed list of to-do items and due dates, and even color-coding the list. These actions show she is disciplined, goal-oriented, methodical, and wants to do really well (achievement-striving). Her proactive and systematic approach is a hallmark of high conscientiousness.

Monica (Potentially Lower Conscientiousness): Monica, while wanting to do her part, has not demonstrated the same proactive, systematic organization. Instead of taking the lead on planning, she is reacting to Jennifer's detailed plan and is feeling anxious about where she "fits in." While she isn't necessarily disorganized, her focus is on her emotional state and role, rather than the execution of tasks, suggesting a lower relative level of proactive conscientiousness compared to Jennifer.

 

Neuroticism

 

Monica (High Neuroticism): Monica is clearly demonstrating high neuroticism. She feels a bit uncomfortable, is feeling anxious, worried about succeeding, starts to feel overwhelmed, and contemplates being removed from the project. Her emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress, particularly in the face of uncertainty about her role and performance, are key indicators of high neuroticism. Her past experience of anxiety on a similar project reinforces this trait.

Jennifer (Potentially Lower Neuroticism): Jennifer's actions suggest relatively lower neuroticism. She appears stable and confident enough to immediately take charge and implement a structure without being overwhelmed by the project's magnitude or potential conflict. Her focus remains on the task and success, not on emotional worry, indicating lower emotional reactivity.

 

3. Advice for Monica: Managing Emotions

 

Monica's anxiety stems from her high Neuroticism and her perception of Jennifer's high Conscientiousness as micromanagement, which creates a sense of losing control and uncertainty about her role.