Social Loafing Assignment

Description – During a meting to think of the new strategy, one of my colleagues was praised even though I had made more contacts for the event invitation. I ran out of emotion, and could not be happy for my colleague. I like to be the recognised for my effort and feel short-changed and angry when that does not happen. Reece and Reece (2016) note that proper expression of anger helps to enhance interpersonal relations, lessens anxiety, and provides people with an outlet for stress. Perhaps the need to be recognised is another reason why I prefer to do things on my own. Even though I may not have noticed it, my colleague may have done something to impress the supervisor. I did not acknowledge that while I can shine at something, someone else …show more content…
I had acquired more network and contributed more than she did towards the project. Although this was a case of social loafing, I should have handled it better. According to Harkins & Petty (as cited by Geller), social loafing is a situation where individuals in a group exert minimal effort to attain their goals than when working individually (2000). In such cases, it is difficult to identity individual contributions, hence, it is likely that anyone would be praised for a good job done. I ran out of emotion because this work was important to me. It was a chance to showcase my talent and skills. I admit that I have a habit of ‘loosing it’, but my displeasure was worse in this situation. I could not understand why the supervisor was being unfair towards me. I thought of the effort and hours I had put in the project yet no one had noticed it. Frankly, I deemed myself better than any of my colleague since I had more knowledge and expertise. My anger was justified at the time. But come to think of it, I feel that I handled my emotions inappropriately because in the end all that mattered is that the project is successful. I was only thinking of myself and no one else and that is why is why it was impossible to think that anyone can do anything …show more content…
Wharam, who has conducted studies on emotional intelligence notes that the words used to describe emotional intelligence are similar, for instance use of the words ‘awareness’, ‘control’ and ‘others’ (2009). He defines emotional intelligence as the ability to be aware of ones and others emotions and managing or motivating oneself and others through understanding emotions (Wharam 2009). My lack of emotional intelligence made it difficult for me to partner with or listen to others because I had already made a judgment of each person before I got to know the person well. The fact that I like to be at the center of attention was repulsive for my colleagues who were beginning to think I was a snob. It was difficult to think that anyone else can contribute something significant because I mistrusted others, and had low opinion of them. This is the reason why I could not accept at the time that my supervisor could praise my colleague after all my