Overview 

• Task: Discuss a business and leadership relationship using WhatsApp.   
• Purpose: To ponder the types of relationships you have experienced.

Some relationships at work are positive, with mentoring environments that help you do your best. Some relationships are challenging with supervisors or co-workers who put you down, give confusing directions, have unclear expectations, or even threatening behaviors. Today, some workplace relationships are created in an online environment. Consider what you’ve learned or experienced this week as you share in WhatsApp. 

Instructions

Initial Post - Due Midweek

In your WhatsApp group 

1. Pick one of the following questions and respond to part as your initial post: 
   • Question 1: Part A: Describe a role model you have had in a business or a leadership role (church, school, family.) Part B: List qualities this person had that helped create a mentoring environment. Ask a follow-up question for continuing discussion.   
   • Question 2: Part A: Describe a difficult work relationship with a supervisor, co-worker, or employee. Part B: What did you do to resolve this situation?  Ask a follow-up question for continuing discussion.    
   • Question 3: Part A: Consider the virtual business relationship. What practices can virtual co-workers utilize to develop relationships? Part B: Do you think it is possible to have friendships with people you don’t see face to face? Ask a follow-up question for continuing discussion.  
2. Respond fully to your selected question with Part A and Part B. 
3. Include a question for your peers to continue the discussion.  

Responses - Due End of the Week

1. Respond to at least two questions from at least two peers.
2. Check in to the WhatsApp group on at least two separate days.  
3. Respond to the questions asked in your original post.
4. Indicate you are done with your assignment by going to the W04 Discussion: Workplace Relationships - Best, Worst, and Virtual assignment in Canvas and doing the following:
   • Select Start Assignment of this Canvas assignment
   • Copy/paste the text of your initial WhatsApp post in the Text Entry box
   • Include which days and dates you posted. One day should be before the midweek deadline. 
   • Summarize two interactions you had with two other students. Include each by name.
   • Select Submit Assignment.
   • (Your assignment will not be graded unless you complete this step.)

Omari’s Example on WhatsApp

(QUESTION 2) 

Part A: I worked at a fruit stand for a farmer who didn’t give me clear instructions, then he left me alone each day at the stand while he worked on his farm. I felt very confused as to what I should do. Each day he would come back to the stand and seem disappointed about my lack of sales or how I had arranged the produce, but he did not tell me why.  

Part B: At the end of the selling season, he closed the stand, and I was relieved to leave the job because neither of us seemed like we were having much success working together. I did not apply to be hired again.  

What could I have done to improve this difficult work relationship?     

Example of Feedback to Omari’s WhatsApp Post 

I like how you asked what you could have done rather than blame your supervisor, even though it did seem like he wasn’t mentoring you as you hoped. We are often reminded in this class that the only person in a relationship we can change is ourselves.  

I think it would have been helpful to ask the farmer specifically what he expected by asking questions like “How much profit should I be getting each day?” and “Please show me how you would arrange the produce.”  

Example of Omari’s submission to be graded in Canvas 

My initial post:  (Question 2) Part A: I worked at a fruit stand for a farmer who didn’t give me clear instructions, then he left me alone each day at the stand while he worked on his farm. I felt very confused as to what I should do. Each day he would come back to the stand and seem disappointed about my lack of sales or how I had arranged the produce, but he did not tell me why.  Part B: At the end of the selling season, he closed the stand, and I was relieved to leave the job because neither of us seemed like we were having much success working together. I did not apply to be hired again. What could I have done to improve this difficult work relationship?     

My days: I posted on Jan 12 Monday, Jan 14 Wednesday, and again on Jan 16 Friday. 

My interaction: Sariah responded to my question with a question: She asked me what I would have done if I had to work there the next year. I responded that I really should have asked for more feedback. Che posted about a really great bishop from a previous ward, and I responded that I hoped to be that kind of leader myself!