A521.5.4.RB - Aligning Values

Aligning Values

Dennings highlights three components of ethical community:

1.       Trust – the general expectation among others; that each person will act ethically towards one another.

Among all things, people must be ethical and treat each other with respect. In my department, there are nine employees: five counselors, two managers, one office manger and one director; although the difference in rank, each person within my department is treated equally. It is not to say that we always get along, but there is a significant amount of trust and respect between and among one another.

2.       Loyalty – acceptance of the obligation to refrain from breaching one another’s trust and to fulfill the duties entailed by accepting that trust.

Loyalty however, is not something always honored within financial aid department.  Eight out of Nine employees within our department are girls and girls without fault have the nature to talk behind each other’s back. My director constantly reminds us that DRAMA is not allowed within our department. Although, I would have to say that when push comes to shove my colleagues and I are very loyal to one another.

3.       Solidarity – caring for the other person’s interest and being able to take action on the other person’s behalf, even if it conflicts with personal interest.

My supervisor is always sticking up for the financial aid department. It is as if the financial aid department is the red headed step child within our organization. If there is a conflict my director seeks to hear both sides of the story before making a solution on how fix the problem. For example, if a student states that he or she received confirmation that fund have been disbursed, but after checking with accounting the students funds have not been received; my director seeks to find out why and what information was given to the student. Solidarity has always been apart for the financial aid department.  I know for a fact, that if I was in trouble my colleagues would be there for me and would have my back; both personally and professionally.

A521.5.1.RB_Shuck,Allison

After taking the Workplace Value Assessment, I determined my top 5 core values.

My top 5 core values are as follows: 

1. Opportunities for supervision, power, leadership, influence
2. Stability and security
3. Using creativity, imagination; being innovative
4. Strong financial compensation and financial rewards
5.  Respect, recognition, being valued

How do my top 5 core values align with my workplace?

I feel like I need to get a new job. As a Financial Aid Counselor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, there is not much room for advancement. The Financial Aid department is a fairly new department and has yet to define any levels of advancement. The only way to advance within the department is for my supervisor to create a new position; new positions are costly and must receive approval from upper management. Although, I do have to say that I have security and stability as a Financial Aid Counselor with Embry Riddle. The University must give a person multiple warning before putting him or her on a Personal Improvement Plan.

Working for the University does have its perks. Every 6 months or so the University holds an All Hands Meeting in which every department is to attend; during the meeting the University caters lunch and always has prizes and/or giveaways. The All Hands Meetings are something we all look forward to.

Having creativity, imagination and innovation is what Embry Riddle is all about. We are innovators! In my department, my supervisor promotes creativity and innovation. He believes in allowing each member to find his or her own way to complete a task. In addition, he favors creativity in the workplace. If a process is not working, he seeks input from my colleagues and I and determines available alternatives; we work collaboratively as a team to find solutions.

Strong financial compensation and financial rewards is not something most universities employees see. A person working for a school or university must understand that he or she might not get a raise this year. For most schools, the budget is determined by the state and cannot be adjusted. Luckily for me and my colleagues, Embry Riddle is a private non-profit university that is rapidly growing in size and the budget is determined by the amount of revenue the school receives.  Thus, financial compensations and financial rewards are available.

At Embry Riddle respect, recognition and personal value is given to everyone! Every department has its own unique way of recognition. In the Advising Department management awards the advisor of the quarter with free PL (Personal Leave) hours. During the Enrollment Management Meeting, recognition awards are given to those nominated by upper management.  The awards are: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty, Keys to Success and Partners in Success. In the Financial Aid department however, recognition is almost nonexistent. Unfortunately, my colleagues and I only hear the bad news.

Overall, I think that Embry Riddle as a university provides me with my core values but my individual department does not.

A521.4.3.RB_Shuck,Allison

In chapter 4 McKay, Davis, & Fanning (2009) discusses how body language can be used to communicate with others. McKay reveals two different nonverbal communication techniques used by people during communication: body movements and spatial relationships.

Body Movements are portrayed as ones facial expression, gesture, and posture;. Body movements are learned at a young age and are normally passed down from generation to generation; often meaning different things to different people. For example, In Japan, it is disrespectful to look a person in the eyes during conversation; however, in American it is a sign on sincerity.  

Body movements serve several purposes besides depicting ones attitude and/or feelings. Body movements can also create illustrations to help place emphasis on a story.  In addition, body movements can also serve as nonverbal indicators and or/ regulators of conversation. For example, when a person nods his or her head, it indicates to the speaker that he or she understands what the speaker is saying.

Spatial relationships can be recognized as the measure of distance between speaker and listener. Spatial relationships are also known as Proxemics – the study of what you communicate by the way you use space. For example, if you are nervous when giving a speech, you may choose to stand behind a podium rather than out in the open. Spatial relationships provide a measure of intimacy between two people; the closer you are to a person, the more intimate and vice versa.  

In chapter 5, McKay, Davis, & Fanning (2009) explain the meaning and elements of both Paralanguage and Metamessages.

Paralanguage is the vocal component of speech. Paralanguage includes 6 different elements: pitch, resonance, articulation, tempo, volume and rhythm. All 6 elements vary depending on a person’s emotional state. Without each element, a person’s paralanguage would be referred to a monotone and boring. By discovering and practicing your own paralanguage, you can become an expert in public speaking.

Metamessages communicate a person’s attitude and feelings. Metamessages are largely communicated through a person’s pitch, rhythm and verbal annotations.  Metamessages can often be described as interpersonal conflict. If a person places too much emphasis on a particular word, a message can be construed as negative or disrespectful. For example, if you tell a colleague that you expect all documents to be complete before submitted; the word expect can be construed both negatively and positively depending on the persons tone of voice. A person can interoperate a message incorrectly due to pitch being used by the speaker. In order to refrain from negative interoperations, one must place equal emphasis on all words within a given sentence.

In chapter 6, McKay, Davis, & Fanning (2009) discuss the 8 hidden agendas found in face to face communication.

1.      “I’m good” – This person’s agenda is caring and sensitive. The “I’m good” character plays the role of the hero; showing the world that he or she is courageous. However, the hero is generally not his or her authentic self.

2.      “I’m good, (but you’re not)” – This person’s agenda is to prove that he or she is right by showing just how bad everyone else is.

3.      “You’re good (but I’m not)” – This person’s agenda is flattery; he or she attempts to sweet talk his or her way out of doing something.

4.      “I’m helpless, I suffer” – This type of person often plays the role of the victim.

5.      “The blameless” – This type of person always pleads innocent.

6.      “I’m Fragile – This type of person cannot handle the truth and always tells stories about betrayal.

7.      “I’m Tough” – This type of person often takes on more than he or she can handle; giving the impression that he or she is tough.

8.      “I Know It All” – This person is a one upper. He or she only communicates to prove how much he or she knows.

The Purpose of Agendas – Agendas serve two functions

1.      To build up and preserve and existential position – this agenda serves as a way to cope with ones feelings.

2.      To promote ulterior motives – flattery can only get you so far; however, it can provide a person with the antidote needed to get what he or she wants.

A521.3.4.RB - Shuck,Allison

A period in time that really defines who I am!

In 1998, when I was 11 years old, I remember my mother coming into my room asking me if she could talk to me about something very important.  At first, I thought I might be in trouble but then I noticed a sincere gaze upon my mother’s face. My mom sat on the edge of my bed started telling me a story about this great lady she met online named Kathy. My mom then went on to explain that Kathy was going to move from Pennsylvania to come live with us in Florida and that she would be her new girlfriend. At that moment, I knew my life would change forever; I was going to have two mommies! All I can remember was telling my mother was to do whatever makes her happy. To this day it is still shocking to me that I said that. In few months time, Kathy moved in. I don’t remember very much about that day she arrived, but I assume that my sisters and I greeted her with open arms; my twin sisters were 4 at the time.  As time passed, Kathy became just another member of my family, but to all outsiders, she was known as my aunt. In 1998, being gay was not as acceptable as it is today.

Besides the fact that my mother is gay, the true defining moment in my life was Kathy moving in; Kathy above all things helped build me into the person I am today. Kathy was a stickler for the rules and taught me many mannerisms: she taught me not to use my hands while eating; if she caught me, she would stab me in the hand with her fork. She taught me to only use one towel a week; if I used any other towel besides my own, I would lose my privilege to use a towel that week period. She taught me to always do my chores when told; if I didn’t wash the dishes after dinner like I was told, the dishes would end up on my bed. She taught me to always put thing back where they go; if I didn’t, they would disappear. I remember Kathy always telling me to put my bike away and/or to stop leaving it in the middle of the walkway. Eventually Kathy got fed up and hid my bicycle from me and told me that it was stolen; she eventually gave it back, but I would have to say I learned my lesson.

That same summer, when I was 14 Kathy found me sitting on a young boys lap on a park bench; at that moment Kathy decided to send me to live with her friend Hero for the summer. Hero lived in Clifton, NJ and owned her own cleaning business. Kathy believed that Hero would be able to teach me a few things and keep me out of trouble. Kathy was right! When I arrived, Hero offered me a job as a professional house cleaner and told me that I would be making $8.25 an hour; as a 14 year old that was a lot of money. Over time, without me knowing it, Hero taught me workmanship among other things. If it was for Kathy, I wouldn’t have had all the amazing experiences that I did that summer with Hero. I not only did I have the opportunity to work and make a lot of money, but I had the opportunity to spend almost every weekend in New York City. New York City was an adventure! I ate fancy restaurants, I watched Riverdance on Broadway, I visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and I watched fireworks on the 4^th of July in Manhattan.  What more could a 14 year old girl ask for.

Although Kathy at that time was my worst enemy, today she is a charitable asset. I could not even imagine what my life would have been like without her in it. Even though Kathy and my mom are no longer together, Kathy and I remain close friends. She will always be a member of my family.

A521.2.3.RB_Shuck,Allison

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

Chimamanda Adichie is a storyteller from Nigeria who has discovered the dangers of a single story. Adichie informs her audience that a single story about any culture can create a stereotype about that culture. Although stereotype are not necessarily untrue, it does not providing an accurate story of that culture. For example, my supervisor Frederic is from Africa. After obtaining this information, I wanted to sit down with Frederic and learn more about his culture. However, because I knew he was from Africa, I had already painted a picture in my mind of all the amazing animals and landscapes of Africa that we were to discuss. Little did I know that there was more to Africa than animals and landscapes? Just as Adichie described, I had created a stereotype about Africa.

As the conversation between Frederic and I continued, I learned that he grew up in Senegal. His father was a diplomat and came from wealth. Frederic even had his own butler. Furthermore, Frederic informed me that he has never seen an animal of any kind while living in Africa; it wasn’t until after he moved to the US and visited the Georgia Zoo. I found all this information to be shocking. Frederic and his family did NOT fit the Africa stereotype displayed in movies. From that moment, I learned to not categorize and stereotype people. Just as Adichie says “It is impossible to engage properly with a place or a person without engaging with all of the stories of that place and that person”.

A521.1.4.RB_Shuck,Allison

An organization’s mission and vision statements help to define the organizations purpose as well as, the organizations primary goals and objectives. The mission statement represents the key measurements of the organizations success. It must define what the organization does, how it does it and for whom it does it for. The vision statement represents the organizations values. It highlights the organizations overall objectives and predicts the organizations future successes.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University defines its mission and vision as follows:

Mission

To teach the science, practice and business of aviation and aerospace; preparing students for productive careers and leadership roles in service around the world.

It’s technologically enriched; student-centered environment emphasizes learning through collaboration and teamwork, concern for ethical and responsible behavior, cultivation of analytical and management abilities, and a focus on the development of the professional skills needed for participation in a global community. Embry Riddle believes a vibrant future for aviation and aerospace rests in the success of our students. Toward this end, Embry-Riddle is committed to providing a climate that facilitates the highest standards of academic achievement and knowledge discovery, in an interpersonal environment that supports the unique needs of each individual. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the world's leader in aviation and aerospace education. The University is an independent, non-profit, culturally diverse institution providing quality education and research in aviation, aerospace, engineering and related fields leading to associate’s, baccalaureate’s, master’s and doctoral degrees (Embry Riddle Mission and Vision, 2012).

Vision

Embry-Riddle will be the world's source for innovation and excellence in aerospace education and applied research (Embry Riddle Mission and Vision, 2012).

Implications

One implication that Embry Riddle may face with its mission and vision statement is both the mission and vision must be able to adapt to changes within the organization and within the community it serves. For example, if the space industry dies off, will Embry Riddle still be able to follow its current mission and vision statement.

Despite any future implications Embry Riddle may face, its mission and vision statement describe precisely what the university stands for, its culture. As a student and an employee of Embry Riddle, I feel that Embry Riddle’s culture incorporates my future goals both personally and professionally. Not only do I hope to achieve success as a student, but I hope that as a student, I can gain the appropriate knowledge I need to become a successful leader.  


Embry Riddle Mission and Vision. (2012). Retrieved June 2, 2012, from http://www.erau.edu/about/mission.html