A520.9.5.RB_DiazBrian

Whetten and Cameron (2011) state that the "Two basic factors determine a person's power in an organization: personal attributes and position characteristics.  Naturally, the importance of each factor varies depending on the organizational context." (p. 287).  In my organization, currently, I would argue that I have very little to no power within the organization.  My intentions have never been to attain a "power" position but rather it has been to have the opportunity to develop into a leadership role.  However, leadership roles do by their vary nature, come with power.  How that power is utilized, exercised, and distributed is up to the individual. 

I would not necessarily say that I am comfortable developing sources of personal influence to gain power.  What I am comfortable in doing is setting myself apart from others with my actions.  I believe in genuine relationships based on organic interactions.  I don't feel it is necessary for me to seek out individuals and to gain their trust or affirmation in order for me to gain favor or power.  Whetten and Cameron (2011) write that "Four personal characteristics are important sources of power.  As Table 5.3 shows, these are expertise, personal attraction, effort, and legitimacy.  Expertise reflects knowledge and capabilities,; personal attraction involves affective appeal; effort suggests personal commitment and motivation; and legitimacy conveys credibility." (p. 288).  After almost two years in my position as an advisor, expertise is something I am working on.  I believe that I espouse a level of appeal that makes my team members comfortable to work alongside with me.  I continue to build upon my credibility by doing the very best job I possibly can every single day and to legitimize myself in order to not only develop professionally, but to give myself the opportunity for growth with my organization.

The characteristics of likeable people depicted in Table 5.4 (p.290) are:

• Support an open, honest, and loyal relationship.
• Foster intimacy.
• Provide positive regard and acceptance.
• Provide social reinforcement (sympathy, empathy).
• Engage in social exchanges necessary to sustain relationships.

I feels as if I embody all of these attributes.  I think if you were to survey my team members they would say that I was honest, reliable, positive, social, and empathetic.  Empathy is a strong attribute to have and important to building relationships.  My classmate Richard Snodgrass shared this view with me and wrote in our discussions earlier...

"My personal power comes from what I consider empathy as well as my past experiences.  My career has had its ups and downs and I am thankful to be where I am and enjoying coming to the office each day.  The term pay it forward is still fairly new to someone my age.  I have been practicing this philosophy for a long time in one way or the other.  My compassion/empathy for others allows me to put myself in their shoes.  As a manager, it helps ground me when I must counsel an employee.  My past experiences have created who I am today, but like in all life everything changes.  I desire to grow my knowledge base while at the same time share what I know to those who wish to learn.  I feel those are two of my strongest assets or sources of personal power."

I enjoy the people I work with.  I respect others because it is how I was raised.  I treat every single person I meet the way I would like to be treated.  I have learned that not everyone carries themselves in this manner and in my experiences I have had to learn to to respond accordingly.  The person I am today most certainly is not the person I was 20 years ago.  I have grown and learned.  I attended a seminar last year that discussed how to deal with difficult people.  I learned that when people are angry or aggressive, it is because they are afraid.  They do not know how to properly convey their feelings so in order to engage them it is necessary to listen to what they are saying and address the root of their issue, whether it be with facts or empathy.  It was quite a learning experience for me.

I have a good working relationship with my director.  I understand the goals and objectives she has for me and why they are important.  I am aware of the pressures she is under and respect the amount of time and dedication her role requires.  I have over time become accustomed to her work style (which is very supporting) and expectations.  I do my best to keep her informed of important matters and rely on her expertise and knowledge as I develop.  We have a open and honest relationship that I could not be more thankful for.  There is mutual trust and respect for one another.  I consider myself fortunate because not everyone can say that they have a boss that is as caring, compassionate, supportive, and understanding as the leader I have the pleasure to serve.

Whetten, D. A., & Cameron, K. S. (2011). Developing Management Skills (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall/Pearson.

A520.4.3.RB_DiazBrian

In the video "The Three Things We Work For (Money Isn't One of Them)" Andy Mulholland discusses three job motivators:

• Give me interesting work.
• Expand my skill set.
• Recognize me (value me for what I can do.

Whetten and Cameron (2011) wrote "Motivation represents an employee's desire and commitment to perform and it is manifested in job related effort." (p. 327).  Before I began my career as an academic advisor I worked as a paralegal.  When I began my undergraduate studies I wanted to make sure I chose a field that not only would be in constant demand, but would also allow me the provide financially for my family.  I looked at two fields, law and medicine.  After some thought I could not see myself working in the medical field but I could envision myself working in the field of law.  Once I started my studies I was convinced I had made the right decision and I began contemplating law school.  However, my ambition and goals were not the only ones to be considered.  My wife and I were newly married and I needed to consider her in my decision making (she had already established a successful career with a great company and had been there at the time for 5 years).  While I really wanted to go to law school it was not the end all be all to our future.  We wanted to start a family and if I was in law school I was concerned with not having enough free time for my family.  Also we would most likely have to move and be away from our own families.  After careful consideration my wife and I decided that law school would not be in the best interest of our immediate future.  The fact that I would be 250K in the hole was not appealing either.  So I decided to remain in legal studies and continue my career as a paralegal.  Problem was the job I eventually landed did not interest me.  More than that, it was actually depressing.  I was working in mortgage foreclosure and taking people's houses away from them, taking away peoples dreams because the economy had fallen to **** and they couldn't afford their mortgages.  So through sheer fortune I was able to shift my career to advising and now I have the privilege of actually helping people achieve their goals.  This career trade-off couldn't have been a better fit for me.  It is a perfect match for my qualities because I love helping others, I enjoy problem solving, and no two days are ever alike.

My organization has given me ample opportunities to expand my skill set.  For example, this degree I am working on is offered to me free of tuition!  I know of only a handful of employers that offer this benefit.  I feel extremely fortunate to work for one of those organizations encourages higher education and I am grateful for the lessons I am learning.  I have been able to incorporate many of those lessons into my every day work processes making me more efficient at my job.  ERAU additionally offers a Leadership Enhancement Program which I look forward to participating in in the near future.  I am the first person in my family to have a Bachelors degree and in another year I will be adding a Master's degree to my resume and that is something I am very proud of.  Who knows... maybe there will be a Doctorate in my future.

For me, nothing makes me feel better about my job than to receive accolades from my manager or co-workers.  More than any monetary gain, having the validation of those that I serve and my colleagues, for me, is the highest honor.  At the beginning of this year our leadership team placed a kudos board on our floor.  Anyone receiving an email from a student expressing their gratitude for a job well done or any team member that wanted to put up a post it note acknowledging a fellow co-worker was encouraged.  I was humbled that a few of my co-workers recognized me.  Some of the remarks were "Brian is always extremely professional and kind when he is on the phone with his students.  He always answers his phone and can be heard taking his time to answer questions and making sure his students get the information they need."  Another co-worker wrote "Brian is a great addition to the GR team.  He always makes us smile and always takes the time to ask how your day is."  I feel like I should be the one handing out money :)  These messages were very sweet and made me feel so good.  I have to admit I was a little embarrassed but I am humbled and feel fortunate to do what I do alongside some great people.

In this week's discussion my classmate James Barber shared the same sentiment regarding recognition.  Jame wrote "People in my group like to be recognized for what they do.  They like acknowledgement of their individual contribution, and they are motivated by public acknowledgement of their efforts. Small 20-200 dollar monetary awards are also used to recognize the contributions of individuals and reward performance.  These monetary rewards are appreciated, but seem to do less for the individual than the strokes associated with public acknowledgement of a job well done.  My employees want to be acknowledged and they want the satisfaction of seeing their customer served."  Nothing compares to the kind words of acknowledgement from those you work with.
 
I have some additional factors that motivate me.  The first is the positive impact I have on the lives of others.  I get the opportunity to serve others on a daily basis and I truly feel that this path has chosen me.  I can't wait to see where this journey takes me in the future and I am very much open to change.  Another motivating factor for me is that one day I will be leading others.  I am taking full advantage of the resources available to me.  I must continue to learn as much as possible and remember to remain true to my values and my beliefs.  Hard work does pay off and I realize that money is nice to have but it is not my driving force.  I look forward to the privilege and opportunity of guiding others.  Lastly but most certainly not leastly, I am motivated by my family.  I am responsible as a husband and a father to provide for my family both financially but more importantly, emotionally.  I work as hard as I do so that my son will never be hungry.  I work hard so that he has every opportunity to succeed in the world.  I can teach him from my many mistakes and encourage him to be better than his "old man".  I work hard so my wife never has to worry about how we will pay our bills.  I am very much a palnner and what I accomplish today is for tomorrow and beyond.  For me my family is the thing that motivates me most!

Mulholland, Andy. ( © 2011). The three things we work for (money isn't one of them). [Video File]. Available from Books24x7 http://common.books24x7.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/toc.aspx?bookid=43753.

Whetten, D. A., & Cameron, K. S. (2011). Developing Management Skills (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall/Pearson.