Discussion 1: Week 1: How to design jobs to enhance satisfaction and motivation: Job Characteristics Model

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Each module’s Discussion Forum in this class has two topics – one for the first week and another for the second.

In the Module 1 Discussion Forum be sure to post your responses using the background material, including the reading and video on the Job Characteristics Model. Here is a shorter synopsis of that material:

Louis, D. J. (2016) Notes on the Job Characteristics Model.

In Week 1, consider a job you have held that you did NOT find motivating. What job characteristics were missing? Look at another student’s post and suggest some ways that a manager could redesign that job to enhance one or more job characteristics and increase the motivating properties of that job. When someone has posted to your original job characteristics, go back and comment on whether or not the suggested changes would have made you feel more motivated. Why or why not?

(Besides the source listed above, introduce and cite at least one other source of information for your initial post.)

Discussion 2: Week 1: Conflict Management

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Recall that the discussion for each module has two parts—one for each week. To get proper credit, be sure you post an initial posting for each week, as well as respond to the postings of at least two other students each week. Remember that if someone posts a response to one of your posts, you should engage with that person as appropriate—as if you were having a real-time conversation.

Review the background materials on Conflict Management. You will need the concepts and principles from these readings to support your responses to the discussion questions. You may also support your comments with references from outside sources. Be sure to cite sources used.

Week 1: Conflict Management

What was the worst experience you ever had with conflict? What was so bad about it? What are some of the things that caused the conflict? Look at another student’s post and comment on how you, as an outsider, see the causes of their conflict. What are some suggestions you would have to mitigate or resolve their situation? When someone has responded to your post, be sure to go back and comment on if you think that the suggestions would have worked to resolve the conflict. Why or why not?

Discussion: Week 2: Active Listening

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Active listening is a technique that is frequently used in conflict situations to increase the effectiveness of communication. View the following video and short article that teach active listening skills.

MindToolsVideos. (2015, June 12). Improve your listening skills with active listening [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2z9mdX1j4A

Now try to practice active listening with a friend, a spouse, coworker—or even a stranger on the bus! (You can use a cheat sheet if you can’t remember all the steps.) Tell us about your experience. What were the circumstances of the conversation? Was it easy or hard? What gave you difficulty in putting the technique into practice? What was the other person’s reaction? Do you think the experiment was successful?

(Besides the source listed above, bring in and cite at least one other source of information for your initial post.)