COU104e: Suppose that you are the General Manager of a Food Manufacturing Company and you Have Been Working Closely with Two Managers, John and Jane: Social Emotional Learning Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

Suppose that you are the general manager of a food manufacturing company and you have been working closely with two managers, John and Jane. John heads up production and is eager to buy a new machine that will increase his department’s output when the pandemic crisis is over.

In addition, the machine supplier is offering an extremely good deal now. Jane heads up the finance department and is keen to reduce costs. She understands John’s motivation but informs him that the organization will not be making any new purchases in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.  This has created conflict and tension that is spreading throughout the workplace.

a) As the general manager, describe your priority in dealing with any conflict situation. Explain briefly how you will address your immediate priority when you came to know about the conflict and tension between John and Jane.

b) Discuss how you would apply the SOLVED approach in this situation. Illustrate the steps taken with specific examples and elaborate on the ways to communicate disagreement with respect.

c) Define social awareness and explain why this competency is important in the
workplace.

d) Suppose that Jane and John would like to build their social awareness competency in communication. Discuss FOUR (4) skills that can help them become more socially aware and ultimately, better managers.

SECTION B

Answer any THREE (3) questions.

Question 2

Jessica is having relationship problems with her boyfriend, Joe. She thinks Joe takes her for granted and he does not tell her that he loves her or shows enough affection. They fight about this frequently.

Suddenly, Jessica realizes that she may be contributing to the problem. She looks inward and realizes that she does not show her appreciation for Joe very often. She overlooks the things he does for her, like getting meals and groceries for her during the “Covid-19 pandemic work-from-home period” and little physical touches and messages that show his affection.

Jessica considered her thought processes when Joe missed an opportunity to make her feel loved and noted that she assumed that he purposely avoids doing things that she likes.

a) State and define the social-emotional competency that Jessica needs to improve on.

b) Based on the social-emotional competency you have listed in Question 2(a), identify TWO (2) possible barriers that Jessica is experiencing.

c) Based on the identified social-emotional competency that Jessica is lacking, discuss TWO ways (2) that can help Jessica improve her relationship woes with Joe.

Question 3

Read the argument between Jess and Jay and answer the following questions.

a) Explain briefly why anger is the most difficult feeling to manage when compared with other emotions such as jealousy or sadness.

b) In order to help Jess to calm herself and reflect positively on the matter so that her emotion is under her control, describe how Jess can apply the “What, Why and How” to change her negative thoughts to address the issue in a more positive manner.

c) List TWO (2) most common negative emotions experienced in the workplace. Discuss ONE (1) strategy you can use to help you deal with each of these negative emotions you have listed.

Question 4

A couple who have been with each other for ten years have been having frequent arguments lately and are very unhappy. They have sought professional counseling to little effect. What do you think the couple should do? Should they separate or should they stay the same way?

a) Discuss how you would use the basic making responsible decisions process to help the couple to select their decision.

b) Identify THREE (3) ways people use to avoid making decisions and THREE (3) things that people who do not avoid making decisions do, that keeps the process from being ineffective and effective respectively.

Question 5

a) Life is meaningful only when a person is driven by a goal. Identify TWO (2) reasons why goals are often not achieved.

b) Identify ONE (1) Social Emotional Competency (SEC) which you would like to improve on and illustrate with a personal example, how you can improve on the identified SEC and work towards excellence in your life.

c) Identify ONE (1) Social Emotional Competency (SEC) which you are strong in and illustrate how the identified SEC has helped you in the workplace.

d) In making decisions, one may encounter ethical dilemmas. Give FOUR (4) examples of the questions we can ask that can help us in making responsible decisions regarding our choice of solution.