Unlock document.
This document is partially blurred.
Unlock all pages and 1 million more documents.
Get Access
Teachers Manual – 4th Edition
Chapter 1
Human Relations:
The Key to Personal and Career Success
FOCUS
The overall goal of the fourth edition of Human Relations is to provide relevant
content and activities that will enable students to embrace 21st century skills,
integrate new ideas/change, offer new solutions, and apply a global perspective to
issues so that they may in turn produce new knowledge, services, processes, and
products. The Partnership for 20th Century Skills called for skill in interacting
competently and respectfully. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students
to the study of human relations and help them appreciate the role human relations
skills play in their personal and career success. The development of human
relations in business occurred for reasons that are equally valid in 21st century
organizations. Therefore, the history of management practices is traced to give
the student an understanding of how human relations became important to
business.
21st century competencies and individual responsibilities in a 21st century
organization are discussed. An explanation of the changes that occur in businesses
is presented to assist students in understanding what they must be prepared to
contribute to the organization and why their contribution is essential. Perhaps the
most important aspect of this chapter is that students see connections among
numerous forces, their responsibilities and how they fit in the overall organization.
CHAPTER PREVIEW
OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
1.1 Explain what human relations is.
1.2 Discuss the importance of human relations to organizations and
careers.
1.3 Trace the development of human relations in business.
1.4 Discuss 21st century competencies and your responsibilities in a
21st century organization.
1.5 Explain which outside forces can affect organizations.
TEACHING-LEARNING SUGGESTIONS
Supplementary Exercise 1.1 (Getting Acquainted Interviews)
Explain that participants are to look around the room, select the person who looks
most interesting, and pair up. Pairs are to spend 10 minutes interviewing each
other, person A interviewing person B for 5 minutes and then reversing roles.
Interviewers can ask anything but must be willing to answer the same question.
Interviewees can choose not to answer a particular question.
At the end of 10 minutes, ask for the person who feels that he/she interviewed the
most interesting person to begin by introducing that person to the rest of the class.
Then, the person introduced introduces his/her partner. Continue by asking for the
next volunteer, being careful to pull from all sides of the room. After all are
introduced, ask volunteers to name as many participants as possible and give an
interesting fact about each.
Answers to Jump Start
1.1 Human Relations Definition and Study
Human Relations Definition and System
Human relations is the study of relationships among people and how they
interact. It looks at how this knowledge can be used to improve personal, job,
and career effectiveness. Broadly, it includes all types of interactions,
including conflicts, collaborations, and groups. Effective human relations is a
What Human Relations Is Not
If you are practicing human relations effectively, you:
Are strong and self-confident—but not overbearing
Are modest—but not timid or self-effacing
Are considerate of others—while keeping in mind both your own and
your organization’s needs
KeyPoint
Human
relations, the
A Systems Approach to Studying Human Relations
Human relations and organizational productivity are the sum total of six parts.
These are all connected to each other, and each part affects the whole and at
least one other part. Each part, in turn, is made up of a number of actions or
behaviors:
Answers to Ask Yourself
1. Human relations is the study of relationships among people, how they
1.2 Why Human Relations Is Important
Effective human relations skills contribute to organizational and individual
success.
Answers to In the News
1. Student answers will vary.
Importance of Human Relations to Organizations
Teaching Master 1.1
Use the prepared teaching master to discuss Characteristics of 21st C
Organizations (taken from Figure 1.2 in text).
Employers want to feel confident that you’ll treat customers and coworkers
professionally, will speak, listen, and contribute in meetings, and will use
etiquette and other aspects of human relations skills. Organizations today
are faced with serious challenges that require effective use of their
resources. People are their most important resource. Because jobs are
becoming more interdependent, organizations need people who can
cooperate, collaborate, and produce results by working with others.
Importance of Human Relations to Your Career
If you interact well in a variety of relationships, you’re more likely to be
able to influence others and achieve success. In fact, effective human
relations skills may be the greatest contributor to the success or failure of
your career.
Where Human Relations Starts
Ask students to discuss their outcomes and reactions to the human
relations quiz.
Building your human relations skills starts with you—with understanding
your own mental and emotional makeup and your effect on others.
Knowing yourself, your values, and your principles will help you
understand others, practice effective human relations, and achieve your
goals.
Answers to Ask Yourself
1. Most people are fired from their jobs because they do not get along with
1.3 Development of Human Relations
An appreciation for human relations developed as businesspeople looked for new
ways to increase productivity as the economy evolved.
Briefly discuss the schools of thought, emphasizing how they evolved into a
clear understanding of the importance of human relations.
Teaching Master 1.2--Social Sciences Basic to Study of Human Relations
Use the prepared teaching master to lead the discussion.
Answers to Ask Yourself
1.4 21st Century Skills and Responsibilities
Three categories of skills are learning and innovation skills; information,
media and technology skills; and life and career skills. Each category includes
both personal qualities and acquired skills, as well as certain responsibilities.
Employees should have the right attitude, be flexible, retrain, and use human
relations skills. They can contribute by doing a job well and communicating
effectively.
Teaching Master 1.3—21st Century Skills
Use the prepared teaching master to lead the discussion of 21st Century Skills.
Answers to Ethics Connection
Discuss Figure 1.5 in the text, Your Responsibilities in the 21st Century
Organization.
Answers to Ask Yourself
1.5 Outside Forces at Work
All organizations are vulnerable to a number of outside forces, such as dual
careers, divorce and single-parent households, multi-generational dependents,
and increasing competition for jobs. If they don’t adjust to a changing
environment, they’ll suffer financially or even go out of business. Generational
differences alone are creating a major shakeup in the workforce: more
generations are working simultaneously today than ever before, the over-55
workforce is growing rapidly, fewer young workers are entering the
workforce, and the number of mid-career workers is declining.
At the same time, many organizations are merging, reorganizing, or
downsizing and relying on outside consultants, temporary employees, and
part-time workers. Simultaneously they are stressing the importance of
service to clients and customers and watching in despair the growing
instances of workplace incivility. Added to this is the daily stress resulting
from a roller coaster economy, corporate scandals, income inequity, and
other problems. The frequency of changes within organizations requires
that employees be open to change if they are to survive and thrive.
Types of External Forces
Discuss Figure 1.6 in the text. Point out the following: Note how interrelated
these external environments are, demonstrating why forces outside the
organization can have powerful effects on the organization and you and your
co-workers. Many of these forces can’t be controlled by the organization or its
employees but can have a powerful effect on them. Think, for example, of
ways in which you and your friends may have already felt the effects of the
economy or competition.
Examples of Two External Forces and Their Impacts
Discuss organizational changes and technology changes and their impact
on organizations and employees.
Answers to Technology Connection
Answers to Global Connection
Supplementary Exercise 1.2
Have students bring articles from newspapers or magazines that depict businesses
or organizations being affected by one of the environments described in the
chapter. Have them tell what the effect is and which environment is responsible
KeyPoint
If organizations
don’t adjust to
changing
environments,
they’ll suffer
financially or
even go out of
business.
for the changes. Group discussion can then center on how these changes can affect
employees at the organization.
Answers to Ask Yourself
1. Answers will vary but should reflect an understanding of the chapter
content.
KEY TERMS DEFINITIONS
Human relations Study of relationships among people.
System A set of interrelated elements or parts that function as a whole. All
parts are connected to all other parts and are affected by at least one other part,
and each part affects the whole.
Classical school of management Study of management that focused on the
technical efficiency of work as a way to maximize production.
Behavioral school of management Study of management that focused on
techniques to motivate workers.
Hawthorne effect The idea that the human element is more important to
productivity than the technical or physical aspects of the job; identified through
experiments conducted by Mayo.
Management science school Branch of management that began after World War
II and was used to solve complex management problems; the computer has played
an important role in this school.
Statistical models Mathematical models that assist managers with planning and
controlling factors such as inventory, product mixes, and sales forecasts.
Virtual office Computer and information networks that link people in different
(remote) locations so they can interact and share work as if they were located in
one office building.
Telecommuters People, frequently based at home, who use technology networks
to send and receive work and information to and from different locations (such as
offices) to which they would once have needed to commute.
Hoteling Sharing an office space in your company’s building through
reservations.
SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain what human relations is and where it starts. Human relations is
the study of relationships among people, how they interact, and how this
2. Why is human relations important in our personal and work lives? What
do you think would happen to a business that did not use effective human
relations skills? Organizations will expect you to have a mix of technical
3. What are the three categories of skills identified by the Partnership for
21st Century Skills and discussed in this book? Give examples of the
4. What are your human relations responsibilities in an organization? Your
human relations responsibilities are the following: demonstrate your
5. What outside forces can affect organizations? Outside forces or external
6. How is technology changing the world of work and affecting human
relations? Technology changes sometimes require radical changes in
CRITICAL THINKING
1. The roots of Mr. Mitchell’s hiring criteria and the study’s behaviors
originate in the behavioral school beginning in the Industrial Era. These
skills correlate with the 21st century “learning and innovation” and “life
2. Piracy is a very serious problem in and of itself plus it breeds or leads to
other serious problems. It is also an ethical consideration. Regarding a
3. The three schools of management theory are the classical school of
management, the behavioral school of management, and the management
science school of management. Student examples will vary but should
reflect an understanding of the chapter material.
4. The two most likely skills and behaviors related to these quotations are
initiative/self-direction and collaboration. The quotations suggest that we
should be willing to move forward and act and to put ego aside and work
together.
5. Student answers will vary but should reflect true consideration.
6. The suggestions in the article are all related to communications or what
CASE STUDIES
Answers to Case Study 1.1 (Will Attitude Help?)
Yes, this happens frequently. Outstanding employees react in a variety of
ways when they find themselves in this classic situation. First of all, look at
your work and personal life. Is it balanced? Are you getting enough sleep and
exercise and eating healthily? These are important in keeping matters in
perspective.
(Frontline Employee, The University of Texas Employee Assistance
Programs, March 2006, www.uteap.com.)
Answers to Case Study 1.2 (Are You Personally Effective?)
The space program relies on these skills to develop the leading edge
Answers to Case Study 1.3 (What Now?)
Joan is being impacted by several outside forces, particularly economic events,
international competition, and macro concerns about the environment. Car
HUMAN RELATIONS IN ACTION
Groups should exchange papers and compare the following: formats used,
summaries presented, and analyses made. Each group should then select a leader
who will present the paper to the class. Each presentation should lead to a full
class comparison and discussion. Individual students should describe their use of
the Internet in finding the article. Because collaboration is an important 21st
century skill, individual contributions should also be briefly described.
