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.
Hi Consuelo,
ReplyDeleteI thought that the relationships that Jim has with his family members played an interesting role in his new career. Relationships help you form your identity, and Jim has a very different identity and way of doing things based on the way he was raised vs. other people in the office. I wondered after reading this case, how much different his new job would be for him if he had a different type of relationship with his family. I would assume that other new lawyers at the firm who have parents that are lawyers probably would have different problems than Jim at the new job.
Hi Consuelo,
ReplyDeleteThis case was very interesting in terms of relationships. I felt that Jim's family really played a role in shaping his identity. This causes some problems for him with his career. I wonder how his experience at his new job would be different if he had different relationships with his family? Thinking about this case, I think that for other new lawyers that were raised by parents who are lawyers their experiences would be quite different than Jim's. They may have attitude problems for example where as Jim had problems with the correcting clothing. It is fascinating how much our relationships shape us!
Greetings Consuelo,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your case analysis and I think that you made some very good points and I liked how well you analyzed Jims situation. I think that Jim is going through a tough time at work and you clearly understand this because you were able to describe his relationships with his coworker, family, and boss.
I noticed that you focused a lot on the people in you analysis. The other analyses I've read focus more on behavior and the nonverbal messages that are sent. Here, I think that focusing on the people works, particularly because you chose this case. In the story, Jim was taught to look at people for who they are. It can probably be attributed somewhat to a lower socioeconomic status and not wanting to be judged on that. Marc doesn't necessarily look at the people for who they are but more as tools to build the firm. Each approach has its advantages. Marc is probably more business savvy, but people are more likely to like Jim. You mention that "Relationships change." Knowing that, I would be really interested to see how these relationships change in the future. Jim has several to balance (as do we all). He has to balance work and family, which appear to be pulling him in opposite directions. I have a feeling that this case study could be a whole book.
ReplyDeleteConsuelo,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting blog to read and I really liked that you incorporated a lot of both the lecture material and material from the reading into your analysis. While the case was really focused on the fact that the law offices wanted Jim to change the way that he presented himself to people that he was coming into contact with on a regular basis, I like that you took a focus on the ways of the law office itself. Just by looking at the small details like the fact that the people of the offices were supposed to address each other in a certain way according to status tells us a lot about the way that the office conducts itself and even clues us into the values of the people who make these rules. These rules differ from the upbringing that Jim was brought into and like the communication perspective suggests, Jim manages and coordinates his relationships accordingly to alleviate the tension and really put himself in the best position to reaching his goals. Again, great job and I am looking forward to reading your next post!
P.S. Last post was from Lynda Avery. Not sure if that shows up automatically or not. (:
ReplyDelete