Case 8.1

Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.

Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
-Refer to Case 8.1.If Ted chose to disclose his past experience with his new boss as a way to help the new boss understand Ted's decision-making process,Ted would need to pay special attention to which element of appropriate self-disclosure?
A) Practicing the art of apologizing
B) Using it to repair a damaged relationship
C) Communicating the experience in terms of facts
D) Selecting the right time and place

Question

​Case 8.1
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Ted is a vice-president in a small company.He's a very laid back and private man.Everyone considers him very nice but indecisive.When he makes a decision,he communicates it accurately,but he often just won't make one.Ted thinks of himself as a very decisive person who likes to be flexible and take his time making decisions.In casual conversations with his secretary,Ted reveals that he went to school in the South,has been married for 20 years,and is thinking about taking a cruise for the first time for this year's vacation.
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Ted is terrified of making the wrong decision in most situations.He knows this but won't tell anyone,even his wife.You see,he once worked for a very demanding and abusive boss who eventually fired him.Anytime Ted would make a decision this boss disagreed with,whether it was the right decision or not,the boss would yell at and humiliate him in front of others.As a consequence,now,years later,Ted has a tough time making decisions.
-Refer to Case 8.1.If Ted chose to disclose his past experience with his new boss as a way to help the new boss understand Ted's decision-making process,Ted would need to pay special attention to which element of appropriate self-disclosure?​
A) ​Practicing the art of apologizing
B) ​Using it to repair a damaged relationship
C) ​Communicating the experience in terms of facts
D) ​Selecting the right time and place

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Selecting the right time and place is the most important element of appropriate self-disclosure that Ted needs to pay special attention to if he chooses to disclose his past experience with his new boss. He should choose a time and place where he can have a private conversation with his boss and not in front of others. He should also consider the timing, such as not disclosing it during a busy workday or when the boss is already stressed or unhappy. Choosing the right time and place will increase the chances of his new boss understanding his decision-making process and can lead to a better working relationship.

​Case 8.1 ​

Case 8.1