REFLECTION

The Promise and Peril of Workplace Connections

Most employed individuals consider their workplace as their second home, for this is where they
spent most of their time and effort. With this, the environment they are in has a great impact on their
performance and productivity.

Based on my understanding of the module “The promise and peril of workplace connections”, it
discusses there the pros and cons of the relationship between leaders and their followers in a
workplace. As an employee, with my experience, I can say that building a good rapport between
employee and employer greatly influences one’s performance. The way you treat your juniors may make
or break them. Misunderstanding, miscommunication, and unnecessary behaviors are all present in any
organization, for it consists of different traits and personalities. Like what was discussed on the topic of
Eustress or Distress, some of your followers may consider it a challenge to do better, while some deal
with it as negatively impacting their performance. So as a good and effective boss, it is your role and
responsibility to understand each of your subsidiary and to deal with them accordingly.

With all the scenarios and issues presented on the topic above, I say that this is where the
theory of Thorndike about Rewards and Punishments comes in, wherein it states that a positive
effect(reward) increases the probability and a negative consequence(punishment) will reduce the
probability that a certain behavior will be repeated in the future (Thorndike, 1927). This is usually
applicable to certain organizations. Mistakes in the workplace are inevitable. Our focus should be on
minimizing what is avoidable and transforming our attitude about those that aren't.

Having a reliable and efficient follower and a conducive workplace only shows a leader’s
effectiveness. We are humans and not robots. We have feelings. And a simple act of gratitude for the
good things we have done is enough to boost our confidence to work and perform the best we can, for
in the end, leaders and subordinates have one goal, which is to provide our best for the organization.
Yes, followers and leaders are paid to do their tasks, but having someone working not just for the sake
of compensation but with compassion is a plus.