Is Your Daddy Available?

I think this article, though poorly written in some aspects, is very pertinent in my current workplace. I am a Product Line Specialist in Electrical, Fluid Flow and Cutting Tools, etc. for an MRO Company and dedicate about 20 % of my day to advising Sales Representatives on technical aspects of the product line. I find that I have three standard initial reactions to my age and obvious sex:

1. Latitude of Rejection: the Sales Representative refuses to believe that I can advise them on these products and procedures and request an authority figure (i.e. male) regardless of my qualifications or intentions. Approx. 30 to 40%.

2. Latitude of Acceptance: the Sales Representative assumes that I am adept at my position and withholds immediate judgment of my skills and abilities until proven otherwise. Approx. 10 to 15%.

3. Latitude of Non-commitment: the Sales Representative expresses doubt and listens tentatively to my reactions and answers – I find that I must be very assertive and firm in my judgments to persuade these reps that I am capable of advising them in technical electrical products and so forth. Approx. 35 to 45%.

Smith, S., Atkin, C., Martell, D., Allen, R., & Hembroff, L. (2006). A social judgment theory approach to conducting formative research in a social norms campaign. Communication Theory, 16, 142-152

“Alas, Poor Yorik! I knew him…..a little.”

Politics can be a truly thankless job that earns minor ducats for the sincere of heart.

So, why do so many pursue this career? I can’t begin to understand what would motivate someone to become a modern politician; it seems to be an all consuming job that makes good men and women compromise their beliefs and suppress their own initial interests. I think it comes down to the basic idea behind motivation. I would define the term motivation as any drive that compels an individual to act for an end purpose. My generic definition can apply to just about anything; from the motivation to study for a good grade to hunting for sport or food or political reasons.

The most significant concept that I was able to discern from the article, “Motivation” by Shah and Shah, is that the majority of behaviors and actions can be contributed to some basic form of motivation. What motivates one individual to kill and another to change is entirely dependent upon the personality, mental stability and well-being of the person (among many other factors). I think I would rather spend my time contemplating a skull than trying to find motivation at a political rally.

Shah, K. & Shah, P. (n.d.) Motivation. Retrieved October 11 2008, from http://www.laynetworks.com/Motivation.html.

Can you hear me now? How about now? $*@&.....

I have to say that I love the following quote from Tepper that is within Lu’s article. “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant” (Tepper, 2003: 6).

Huh? Precisely!

Isn’t that the classic example of how we can easily misunderstand each other (even on a face to face basis)? Yes. Failure to listen can cause some communication issues but this seems to be a bit of an understatement. If we look at it from a practical angle, what hope do we have for lucidity in this super fast society filled with text messages, email and voicemail?

I believe that I could be classified as a face to face listener for two reasons: I have terrible hearing and I prefer to look at a person while they speak to avoid misunderstanding and I dislike mediums such as email because it is very easy to type in a manner that appears either too blunt and aggressive or lacks any semblance of finesse. It is altogether too easy to forget one’s manners in this format. Needless to say, I shoot off at least 2 dozen emails a day because that is how the world turns. For every email I send, two are received asking for further clarification.

Well, as Lu mentioned, the skill of the sender, clarity in intent/purpose/ staging of the message all factor into how well a communication is received and interpreted. That is why I prefer snail mail and fireside chats. Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Lu, Jianying. (2005). The listening style inventory (LSI) as an instrument for improving listening skill. Sino-US English Teaching, 2 (5) 45-50.

Tepper, D. The Art of Caring and the Skill of Listening. PT: Magazine of Physical Therapy. 2003, 11(4): 6.

Back To School

Hi Classmates,


I am really looking forward to beginning my second course within the Marketing Program and interacting with my teammates as well.

I am a Product Line Specialist at an MRO distributor, Kimball Midwest, and have worked within the company for approximately 5 months. I do a great deal of product and marketing research and advise employees on technical aspects for tools, electrical, chemicals, fluid flow, and body shop products within our catalog. We supply approximately 50,000 products to the maintenance, repair and operations field.

I am expecting my first child in February with my fiancee, Mike, and have been trying to prepare. Trying is the operative word.

I look forward to meeting all of you on our first day of class.