Preview

Bias In The Workplace: A Case Study

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
911 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Bias In The Workplace: A Case Study
“Because we often think of bias as a function of overt acts of bigotry, we can sometimes remain blind to the invisible structures, systems, and behaviors that bestow and reinforce that power and privilege on a daily basis” (Ross, 2014, pg. 92, para. 2). When I first began my graduate work at GSSW, I would have defended my belief that I was un-biased. I would have proudly provided reasons why I was not biased, and I would relish in examples of how my lack of bias and ability to set aside my values had positively benefited my previous work experience. Yet as the quote by Ross (2014) states, I was unaware of the way in ways my own behaviors were reinforcing power and privilege by supporting structures of bias. “I will never work with women” (personal communication, n.d.). Years prior to deciding to apply to a Master’s of Social Work program, …show more content…
It is important to note that recognizing my bias and laying down my internalized paternal structures would end up being different mechanisms. Before going into the internship, I wanted to begin the process of dismantling the biases which were filtering my lens of working with women. Interestingly, it would not be a clinical theory which would help me the most. During the summer between my foundation and concentration year, I elected to do some independent reading about situational leadership. The situational leadership model seeks to provide a framework for leaders to engage with others around them. The situation model describes four types of leadership styles which include: a directing style based upon high direction and low support; a coaching approach based upon high direction and high support; a supporting style which is driven by high support and low direction; and delegating which approaches leadership through low support and low

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Both contingency and situational theories are based on situational variables determine the leadership styles. Both say that no specific leadership style is best for all environments or certain decision making types. The success of the organization depends on the leadership style that fit the situation and abilities and traits of the group in the situation (Yuki, 2010).…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Working at a large healthcare organization, it is important that managers are aware of the different management styles. This will help in being effective leaders. The theory I have identified is Situational Theory. Situational leadership is based on the idea that there is more than one approach to handle a situation. The four leadership styles used with this theory includes: directing, coaching, delegating and supporting.…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    As Northhouse points out, “...situational leadership focuses on leadership in situations...to be an effective leader requires that a person adapt his or her style to the demands of different situations (89).” Thus, unlike other approaches to leadership, the situational leader cannot assume a fixed stance of authority over their subordinates, where they, as authority, have the sole unquestionable power to make perfect decisions in the organization. Likewise, the situational leader cannot be dull to the abilities of their subordinates, or the (both) changing and immediate needs of the organization in which they serve. The situational leader can lead, not because of their authority, not because of their given role, but because of their ability to adapt to the situation they find themselves in; and help their organization do so, in turn. This means figuring out how the leader’s subordinates are motivated, and how to appropriately direct them to circumvent the inevitable hurdles to an organization’s success. ====================…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ldr 711

    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages

    According to the assessment, “What is My Leadership Style?” my score leans toward a task-oriented style along with a situational approach. The foundation of situational leadership is the theory that there is not a style that is the best leadership. According to Hersey and Blanchard (1977), a leader believes his or her actions and styles depend on the situation at hand. A situational leader focuses on contextual factors in the work required (Clawson, 2006).…

    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Northouse (2013) explained that situational leadership model is one that consists of a directive and a supportive dimension of influence. In essence, a situational leader is one who attempts to match one’s leadership style to what is described as the competence and commitment of an employee (Northouse, 2013). For example, if Ann decides to use the second style (s2) referred to as the coaching approach. Then, Ann would be demonstrating high directive behavior as well as high supporting behavior (Northouse, 2013). Northouse (2013) also stated that, in this approach, an organizational leader communicates on both goal accomplishment and meeting an employee’s socioemotional need.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The first strength of situational leadership is its practicality. Situational leadership is easy to understand, intuitively sensible, and easily applied in a variety of settings (Northouse 2007). Because it is described at an abstract level that is easily grasped, the ideas behind the approach are quickly acquired. In addition, the principles suggested by situational leadership are easy to apply for difference settings, including school, workplace, and family.…

    • 197 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The presence of different internal and external forces that affect the operations within a company provides the manager with a chance to choose the best reaction to a situation. The use of the situational leadership theory as a response mechanism is quite appropriate because it offers new changes that adhere to different goals intended within an organization (Lambert, Marler, &Gueutal, 2008). The experiences gained during a specific period will determine how well the management can respond to biting issues within the company. The objective is to get the employees working towards their goals without failure; an issue that disturbs every manager across the world (Silverthorne, 2000).…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I agree with the primary argument presented by author Goodkind. For example, the discrimination of black women in the workplace for looking “unprofessional” with natural hair is a result of the policing of a woman’s appearance layered with the equation of professionalism with whiteness. However, the view of this issue as simply issues of race overlook the power dynamic within…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Situational leadership can prove efficient in providing a framework for situation/team/individual assessment to provide adaption/alteration of directive or supportive behaviours to enhance outcomes. This adaption occurs in response to the level of readiness/existing skills and developmental state (Rabarison, Ingram, & Holsinger, 2013). This is the ‘gold standard’ of leadership styles for educational purposes and can enhance the learning process and level of competency of the pupil/team or inexperienced practitioner through scaffolding (Thompson & Vecchio, 2009). There are various theories of leadership, but the contingency theory of leadership provides a focus on environmental variables in determining the most appropriate form of leadership. As research would determine, no leadership style can accommodate the evolving needs of an organisation and its success is primarily driven by the leadership style, the individualised attributes of the leader, and the details pertaining to the situation itself (Gupta,…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gender bias is a major issue across the globe. It refers to favoring either of the genders anywhere, in the society, workplace, school, college, etc. Gender Bias normally is a term put forward to signify the authority that is taken away from a gender, which is normally a truth for females.…

    • 306 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    (ABE Goal 1) To what degree or in what ways do I nurture construction of a knowledgeable, confident, self-identify and group identity in myself?…

    • 778 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    For centuries people have been debating whether leaders are born or made. Perhaps leaders are both. There are hundreds of different leadership styles, and they can all be effective depending on the leader and the situation. Leaders can choose which style is best for their particular needs. According to Koffer (2007), situational leadership is the preferred leadership style among executives in multinational companies. As society becomes increasingly global, leaders must have situational leadership skills to remain competitive and achieve the mission. Global organizations can greatly benefit when leaders use the situational style. The situational style is just one of many styles, but it has advantages that other styles do not have. In a global market, situational leadership is necessary for success.…

    • 2191 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Detecting Bias

    • 601 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Everyone has their opinion. How much opinion should be allowed when it comes to the news? Is it possible to see a reporter’s bias when they report the events happening in our towns, states, country, or the world? This is when the reader, listener, or viewer needs to follow specific tips to understand the information at hand. The public has the ability to differentiate between facts and impressions.…

    • 601 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Recognizing that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others;…

    • 2541 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In order to determine the type of leader one will become, it is necessary to know the different styles of leadership exist and how they are used. It is also necessary to understand one’s self to know which style is most fitting. There are several theories that have been identified to describe leadership, including, but not limited to, Trait, Style, Situational-Contingency, and Transformational (Yoder-Wise, 2007, p. 10-11). Many of these theories can be broken down to more specific theories based on the theorist(s) who developed them. Of special interest is Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership.…

    • 1222 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays