Do Something- Hes About to Snap Case Facts: Lynne Tabor, an IT manager at manufacturing giant MMI, has a great team.

Everyone works hard and gets along. Everyone, that is, except Max Dyer. Max is a talented programmer, but he's terrible in the interpersonal skills department. So terrible, in fact, three years ago Lynne reworked his job after employees complained that he was unengaged and even belligerent. Since then, he's been a solid worker, putting in extra hours and meriting good performance evaluations. But recently, Max's coworkers have noticed a change for the worse in him. True, everyone at MMI is on edge after a round of layoffs, but Max's behavior seems like more than a case of the jitters. To make matters worse, reports of a workplace shooting are all over the news. Paige overhears Max shouting at someone on the phone. George finds Max pinning up a certificate from a shooting range in his cubicle, and Nicole, who worries they will all end up as statistics of office violence, wants to know how Lynne plans to ensure their safety. When Lynne tries to talk to Max, it's clear he thinks his coworkers are out to get him. And the truth is they believe he fits the profile of a man on the edge. If Lynne decides to fire Max the company might face the following problems: 1. The company might face a huge lawsuit especially since there is no physical evidence related to any violent behavior from his side or that he represents a real threat. 2. The company will lose a hard working employee whose previous job performance shows that hes one of the best and hardworking programmers in the company. 3. This action might actually lead Max to Snap! It might cause his violent side to surface since he will feel maltreated and was fired for no obvious reason. This might make him harmful and dangerous to his colleagues and the company. If Lynne decides to Keep Max Lynne could act in a negative way and just decide to ignore all rumors around the office since she tried to talk to him once and nothing came out of it. Max is a good employee who didnt do anything wrong and his colleagues are basing their fears from an incident that happened in Seattle.. Problems: 1. If Lynne takes this action, she will lose trust from her own employees since she did not know how to deal with their worries and concerns, and they will lose faith in her future decisions. 2. Employees will not be satisfied with Lynnes decision which will create a kind of employee deviance and company strikes. It is also going to create extra cost in an indirect manner to the company because employees will want to move from their place of work or even leave the company altogether which will create a high turnover, will not be able to concentrate on their work, will work less hours, try to avoid Max or interact with him, engage in group projects or tasks that include Max, and they will be wasting the

companys

time

by

sitting

around

spreading

needless

rumors

and

gossip.

Furthermore, if the rumors about Max turn out to be correct and an act of violence occurs from his side, this will create a horribly negative effect on MMI. As a manger, Lynne should perhaps try a different approach with Max to see what is bothering him. Although he has always been a loner, his behavior seems to have become more erratic. Having a disheveled appearance and spending all of his time at work seem to point toward a change in his personal life. Either financial difficulties or personal family/home difficulties could explain his behavior. She has already determined that interpersonal skills are not one of Maxs strong points but he does have a great technical mind. The case is focused on Max and his behavior but we think it was interesting to note Nicoles behavior as well. She is at the source of other employees who may not have thought another thing about Maxs loner personality becoming increasingly paranoid. This is a good example of emotional contagion. In order to teach/mentor Max, Lynne should explain to him that she is pleased with his individual job performance but in order for him to advance there are some things he needs to improve. She needs to explain to him that she is going to help him with this. One of the things to be considered is teaming Max with another person to lead a project. The other person will have to be a strong leader who has exceptional interpersonal skills. Ideally this person will help Max break out of his shell and not get so nervous and aggravated by other people. In dealing with the gossip, Lynne should only address Nicole. If required she should address each person individually. There should never be an instance where she addresses the entire group. The role to take with Nicole is also a teaching mode. It does not say, but it could be assumed that Nicole is a young employee or maybe just immature. Lynne needs to explain to her that in the work place there are many times going to be people that are different. Lynne should explain to her that rather than gossiping, she should use the opportunity to step up as leader and try to help Max. Our initial thought is that perhaps MMI should offer free confidential counseling for all employees to deal with any emotions they have due to the current news reports about workplace violence, and to set a good example Lynne should also attend a few sessions. By opening the counseling to everyone, it would not make Max feel singled out. This would also be a way to get Max to open up to a neutral party and deal with what seem like some of his own personal issues. It would also be a way for Nicole and others to talk about their emotions without projecting their fears on Max in some way and contaminating others view points.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication Affects Relationships: The nonverbal messages influenced relationships in negative way and had lead people push apart from Max. Nonverbal Communication Expresses Identities: as who we are is conveyed through the way we set up our living and working spaces, the clothes we wear, our personal presentation, and the tones in our voices. External attire of Max

Principles Nonverbal Communication Is More Ambiguous: most of Max nonverbal signals has been linked to multiple meanings, but unlike words, many nonverbal signals do not have any one specific meaning.

Nonverbal Communication Is More Credible We often put more trust into what people do over what they say.