Читать книгу The Communication Playbook - Teri Kwal Gamble - Страница 143

When we create a positive image of ourselves to influence positively what others think of us and how they feel about us, we are practicing impression management.

According to sociologist Erving Goffman, all of life is a performance. In effect, we act out a role in every interaction, based on the shared relationship. While the perceived self is the self we believe ourselves to really be, Goffman asserts that we use facework to present a public image to others. That self, our presenting self, is a favorable self-image. Often, we adjust the presenting self to accommodate different people. Sometimes this choice is conscious and our communication is designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Other times, this choice is unconscious. What matters most is that the side we show is an authentic reflection of our self-concept. If it is not, then Goffman suggests our front-stage, or public, behavior may contrast with our back-stage, or private, behavior.⁴² Do your experiences support this?⁴³

Human beings are unique in their ability to observe their behavior. High self-monitors are people who are highly attuned to their impression management efforts. Low self-monitors pay little attention to how others respond to their messages. Some contend that it is unethical to attempt to artificially control a communication by trying to present to others a version of you that is idealized; they believe it is disingenuous to treat relating to others like a performance. What do you think?

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Career Builder: Work Places and Faces

1 Give an example of when you have used facework to make a good impression during a job interview.

2 Google yourself. Based on what you find, how do you imagine that a potential employer would perceive you? Did you come across anything online that you would rather a potential employer not know or see?

3 Interpret the following statement with a supervisor in mind: I may not be what I think I am. I may not be what you think I am. I may well be what I think you think I am. What does it suggest about the relationship between employer and employee?

4 Analyze the different impressions that specific coworkers and your boss might have of you. Which person’s view would you evaluate to be most positive, the most negative, and the most accurate? Explain your reasons and what you can do to combat the negative and inaccurate perceptions.