Question

Chapter 7: Supervision

Case Activity 7: The Token Economy

What are your views concerning this case study? Write an essay.

When you’re on an airplane and it encounters turbulence or the flight is delayed, you want to know what’s happening. Not knowing makes you nervous. Employees also want to know what’s happening — what’s causing the bumpy ride. If people don’t understand, then anxiety mounts, trust declines and rumors fly. The next thing you see is morale plummeting and work not getting done. That’s why ongoing communication is so important.

            This case helps students to see that supervision goes beyond a one-on-one process, affecting the integration of individual and organizational goals. The new head of a substance abuse program has taken the job because he has strong ideas about how services should be provided and how members of the clinical staff should be treated.   Although he has explained his philosophy to all of the new hires, he has not convinced the therapists who were already on staff when he arrived. It soon begins to seem as though all of the staff members have lost their enthusiasm for the work.

            Students are asked what they would do if they were in this situation, but they are also asked to consider such questions as whether it is necessary for all staff members to accept common goals and practices and work as a team and whether employees need clear guidelines affecting their own work behaviors.

Answer 1

I think the case study emphasizes the importance of communication in any organization. I agree with the emphasis. Communication is one of the most important and key aspect in increasing efficiency by stating the goals and objectives of the organization to all the employees. Also, in times of crisis, management that can communicate to its employees can build loyalty and trust within the organization which would help it in overcoming the challenges. This will also reduce any rumors and wrong news about the future of the company from flowing within the employees' circles.

Communication helps in mitigating risks by sharing information with the staff who have a direct stake in the performance and success fo the company. Any lack of communication and misunderstandings of the goals and objectives can result in a reduction in productivity, efficiency and may also increase the employee turnover rate if they are not sure about the long term vision of the company.

Therefore, communication is a great tool to increase employee engagement and trust in the management of the company. This goes a long way in developing an effective and loyal workforce for long term success.