Denise et al.
I completely agree with Denise on all comments and even more. I also read all the remarks. And I also sit in 2 worlds, practitioner and adjunct faculty where I taught OB for several semesters in the business school. Denise' point eloquently states the bias for emphasis on 'negative' emotions...and offers encouragement to focus on all emotions. Respectfully, I would like to add another observation which is...why study 'emotions at work'. Emotions are emotions, and they live at work and play. Emotions trigger behavior at work and play. And it is the lack of self awareness and self management that precipitates people, at work and play, to respond appropriately or inappropriately. The range of motions are universal at work and play - - from my view as a practitioner and academic, it is more important to focus on how this range of emotions is expressed on an individual and collective level, and how that expression is inspired or stifled by the organizational context.
Thanks Denise for putting out an alternative view.
From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Denise Lalonde
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 6:07 PM
To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
Subject: Re: Quick ideas for video clips depicting "emotions at work"? ---An observation
What an amazing and generous group out there and lots of wonderful ideas.
I would like to offer an observation. I opened every one of the responses. With few exceptions ... most of the clips cited depict negative emotions or emotions that are in scenes of stress, anger, or abuse. There is a whole range of positive emotions that have been depicted in films as well such as Joy, healthy passion (for their work), satisfaction, appreciative, moved and inspiration. (Here is a list of feelings from Nonviolent Communication - Marshall Rosenberg http://cnvc.org/feelings.htm#satisf) All of these "positive" emotions are equally, if not more important, to be teaching and showing the impact these emotions can have on the workplace as well. Think about the best leader you ever worked for and what emotions they inspired in you.
For instance --- at the end of Miss Congeniality, when Sandra Bullock receives the Miss Congeniality reward-- her appreciation/acceptance speech. And the passion for her project, that Jody Foster demonstrates in Contact. I can't come up with others right now, but I bet the rest of you can. :-) Sally Field in Norma Rae when she inspires her co-workers.
Being a non-academic, I would like to challenge this academic community to be sure you are providing the balanced view of emotions.
In a message dated 11/13/2007 1:53:49 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jensensm1@UNK.EDU writes:
Hi all -- I've gleaned many good ideas from the collective brain on this listserve...and I wonder if you all might be able to help me with a quick question:
In my MBA OB class this week, we're going to be discussing emotions at work (emotional labor, contagion, etc). I'd like to start the evening off with a few short clips of popular movies that depict workplace emotions. Does anyone have some suggestions?
The movie "Falling Down" with Michael Douglas offers a somewhat bleak example of how one can finally 'snap' after a multitude of frustrations. I was also thinking maybe there could be some potentially good scenes in the movie "Office Space"...but other than that, I'm coming up blank.
thanks much!
Susan M. Jensen, Ph.D.
Department of Management
College of Business & Technology
University of Nebraska at Kearney
West Center 255W
Kearney NE 68849
(308) 865-8189