In the case of Jim, there are several different communication and
relationship concepts presented, such as the communication perspective, self in
the context of the relationship, and relationship in the context of the self. All
of these concepts are illustrated by Jim, the associates at the law firm, and
his family.
The communication perspective is looking at all human experiences
through a lens of what was made and how it was made, such as in human
relationships. By using the communication perspective individuals are able to
view how relationships are formed, maintained, and changed through
communication. Through this perspective individuals also learn how
relationships are dynamic, coordinated, and how they actively manage tension.
Relationships are dynamic in how they change and move through time and
across relationships. Long term relationships have a rich set of rules that
helps them to adjust moment to moment. Individuals in the relationship may also
have internal signals in communicating with one another. At the law firm, the
secretaries, paralegals, and other clerical workers are required to address
attorneys by title, whereas the attorneys address everyone in the firm by their
first names. Although, Jim disagrees
with the rule, with his boss’s secretary being 20 years old than him, he feels
she should address him by his first name. Despite telling the secretary this,
she continues to address him formally. The dress code at the firm requires all
individuals to dress professionally and conducted themselves in a professional
manner, such as through their language, and their job placement within the
firm. For example, Jim’s boss, Marc Hughes informs Jim how he lacks the image
the law firm asks of their attorneys to hold. According to Hughes, Jim lacks a
professional language, dress attire, his car sends the wrong message to
clients, and he lacks a professional relationship with the right people who can
get him somewhere in the firm.
Informed. One other rule that doesn’t sit well with Jim is how he
shouldn’t be helping the secretary fix a copier. According to Hughes Jim needs
to focus on becoming the best lawyer that he can
Relationships are coordinated. Relationships change, coordination
helps individuals make sense of the relationship at each moment through action
and communication.
Jim’s relationship with his family is close, they are proud of his
accomplishments and supportive with his role at the law firm. Although the
further Jim progress in his career, his feeling of not fitting into his family
is enhanced. According to Jim there
seems to be a lamented difference between him and his family due to the
outlining professions each individual holds. At one point during a visit at his
parent house, tension seemed too developed between himself and his father. The
father doesn’t understand why Jim isn’t paid overtime for the amount he works,
Jim is paid salary. As a result, Jim’s father announces how he should work at
the garage so he can get paid overtime. As tension started to build, Jim’s Uncle
Frank changed the topic.
Relationships actively manage tension by the completing demands
individuals have to make.
Jim actively manages tension by purchasing a new dress attire, started
to network with his associates and he watched his language.
Individuals assign meaning to each situation they come into contact
with. Meaning helps us understand what is going on. Action involves how we
respond to the meaning. At times our understanding changes according to our
actions. Meaning and action is affected by the context of self and relationship
when we respond and act on how the relationship is driven by the self. In the context
of the relationship and self, individuals act how they see themselves based on
their relationship.
The relationship Jim has with his family helped form his sense of
self. The way he acts, dresses, talks
and relates to others is all influenced by his sense of self in relationship to
his family. With the law firm, Jim see his relationship with them as wanting to
be a good attorney. Although due to his upbringing from a blue collar family,
Jim’s sense of self hadn’t be established professionally. To make sense of
this, Jim set out to purchase a new dress attire, network with associates, and
he started to develop a more professional language.
