Personal Application Paper - Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: PERSONAL APPLICATION PAPER Personal Application Paper 1ST November ConcreteExperienceAt one time in the marketing department where I worked, employees undertook formed a strike as a way of expressing their lack of satisfaction regarding the working conditions in our company. As a team manager, I thought that it was vital for the management team and the employees to meet in order to solve the underlying issues that affected the employee’s productivity. During the strike some employees reported late in their working stations while others never reported for 5 days.

I heard some employees complaining of discrimination in the working places. I felt that the ineffective communication in the company was one of the causes of the strike. 2. Reflective ObservationDuring the strike employees formed groups where they were being updated by their representative on the decision made by the top management team regarding their grievances. In addition, officials from the workers union attended the meeting where they promised the employees on their roles to ensure that their grievances are addressed.

Lack of availability of the top managers in the meeting indicated lack of commitment to amicably solve the problems facing the employees.3. Abstract ConceptualizationIn the day to day running of a company, it is prudent for managers to effectively manage their human force in order to avoid labor turn over and regular strikes. One of the major theories that employers should use in order to motivate their employees is theory X-Y. This theory that was developed by Douglas McGregor constitutes rules that managers must adopt to manage the workers (Ulrich 23).

The adoption of theory X that depicts use authority in management, was one of the major causes of the employee’s strike in our company. This resulted to employees avoiding responsibility. In order to avoid future strikes it is essential to emulate theory Y. The adoption of theory Y will make the employees to be focused at attaining the objectives of the company and their own goals. This results to employee’s motivation and increased productivity. 4. Active ExperimentationAs a department manager, I have a duty to motivate other employees in order to improve their productivity.

Due to the losses and the reduced sales that our company made during the strike, I will emulate three strategies to avoid strikes in future. First, I will engage other workers in making of decision that is related to their rate of commissions. Secondly, I will hold regular meetings with workers where they will be allowed to air all their grievances and ideas. Thirdly, I will ensure equal treatment of employees regardless of their cultural background or race. 5. SummaryProper management of people and effective communication in the working place are vital aspects that managers cannot overlook.

During the employees strike I also learned that as managers we need to avoid vices that can reduce the employee’s productivity such as discrimination and strict rules. From the experience I learned the importance of allowing employees to join workers unions that act as a link between the employees and the employers. In order to create a strong team work in an organization, it is fundamental to initiate proper forums where managers and employees can freely intermingle. The experience has also been important since it exposed to me the effects that theory X has on the productivity of the employees.

In the same way, the experience instigated my desire to emulate theory Y in my future duties as a manager. Works CitedUlrich, Dave. Human Resource Champions. The next agenda for adding value and delivering results. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1996.