Communication Model and Process:

Dan Jameson was in a bind. After years working as a technical specialist, he was promoted to supervisor in his department. This required him to be responsible for people who at one time had been his co-workers, which created a good deal of resentment on the part of his co-workers. Yet he had business objectives to meet. Much was expected of him, and senior management was eyeing Dan for another promotion soon if all went well. After several weeks Dan discovered an unsettling communication pattern. Whenever he asked that something be done, his co-workers would nod in agreement. But when the time for the deadline came, the expected outcome hadn't happened. Just last Monday he met with Samantha and Ryan, telling them they needed to complete the computer drafts for the Winston project by the end of the business day on Thursday. However, the reports were still not on his desk on Friday morning. When he had finished talking to them on Monday, they had given him no response or indication that the project would not be completed on time. Dan thought he was communicating clearly. He had informed them of the deadline and simply left it at that when neither of them gave him a response. What was their problem? Dan didn't want to condescend to his subordinates by looking over their shoulders and checking on their progress, but he was afraid he might have to do it if things didn't change soon.

1. If you were one of Dan's co-workers, what would you think and how would you feel about the situation?