Episode 58 - Emotion at Work in Self Presentation

In this episode, looking at what can be defined as a sub-category of impression management, Phil turns to inspect the role of self presentation.

 

As noted in the episode, impression management and self presentation is “a goal-directed, conscious or unconscious attempt to influence the perceptions of others about a person, object, or event by regulating and controlling information in social interaction.”

 

In the workplace, being able to understand the way that someone is looking to present themselves, and then deducing what their goal may be in presenting themselves this way, can support us in how we build relationships and communicate.

 

To demonstrate this process, Phil revisits the data set used both in episode 54 and our recent piece of analysis: ‘“Smoking ruin”: failure or hard work? Analysing a real-life example of how people negotiate meaning in context.’ This data set is from Matt Hancock’s interview on Good Morning Britain on the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown.

 

Works mentioned:

 

‘“Smoking ruin”: failure or hard work? Analysing a real-life example of how people negotiate meaning in context’: https://community.emotionatwork.co.uk/folders/31

 

Impression Management in the Workplace: Research, Theory and Practice by Andrew J. DuBrin: https://www.waterstones.com/book/impression-management-in-the-workplace/andrew-j-dubrin/9780415871730

 

Erving Goffman and framing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frame-Analysis-Essay-Organization-Experience/dp/093035091X