For employees, systems theorists have noted that those employees who express one-up communication have supervisors that understand them more so than other types of communication. What that means is that if you are trying to take control of conversations, your supervisor is more likely to understand your concerns. Fairhurst et al. found that supervisors thought that employees were less involved when they did not use one-up communication. Now obviously, you have to be careful how you take control of conversations—you are talking to your supervisor. Using person-centered messages is a good idea. But you have to be willing to be assertive with your supervisor.
Reference:
Fairhurst, G. T., Rogers, L. E., & Sarr, R. A. (1987). Manager-subordinate control patterns and judgments about the relationship. In M. L. McLaughlin (Ed.) Communication yearbook Vol. 10 (pp. 395-415). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Filed under: Person-Centered Messages | Tagged: business communication, communicating with your supervisor, how to talk to your boss, Systems Theory, Workplace Assertiveness
