Who’s The Boss?
A typical relationship between an employee and an employer exists on the acknowledgment of who is in charge; an employee must accept the employer as an authority. A worker should address the employer with a certain amount of respect and professionalism. An employer should have control of their employees and make it clear that they are the boss.
In David Mamet’s play Glengarry Glen Ross, however the relationship between the employees and the employer is extremely atypical. There is no correlation to what is believed to be the norm. The language Mamet uses in the play makes the peculiar relationship believable. The arguing and resentment can be felt be the reader.
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Both of ‘em, six and ten, you can do it…six and ten…eight and eleven, I don’t give a shit, you set ‘em up? Alright? The two sits in Des Plaines.
WILLIAMSON. Alright.
LEVENE. Good. Now we’re talking. (pause)
WILLIAMSON. A hundred bucks. (pause)
LEVENE. Now? (pause) Now?
WILLIAMSON. Now. (pause) Yes…When?
LEVENE. Ah, shit, John. (pause)
WILLIAMSON. I wish I could.
LEVENE. You fucking asshole. (pause) I haven’t got it. (pause) I haven’t got it, John. (pause) I’ll pay you tomorrow. (pause) I’m coming in here with sales, I’ll pay you tomorrow. (pause) I haven’t got it, when I pay, the gas...I get back to the hotel, I’ll bring it in tomorrow (act 1, scene1, 13-14).”
This does not sound like a conversation somebody would have with his or her boss. Talks of bribery from the employee to the employer are being discussed in this conversation there are. This does not seem to faze Williamson at all. He keeps saying “no” and Levene still continues to push. Later in the conversation Levene says to Williamson “Well, I want to tell you something, fella, wasn’t long I could pick up the phone, call Murray and I’d have your job. You know that? Not too long ago. For what? For nothing. ‘Mur, this new kid burns my ass.’ ‘Shelly, he’s out.’ You’re gone before I’m back from lunch. I bought him a trip to Bermuda once….(act 1, scene 1, 14.)” In a typical office setting Levene would have been fired with the first sign of disrespect and foul language to the boss, however, here, he is not even
Self leadership through personal learning and reflection “provides a foundation for effective leadership skills” (Watson, 2004). The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) includes self leadership as one of it’s five core leadership competencies, which is defined as “The Lead Self” domain. As part of Leading Self, effective leaders must demonstrate: self awareness, managing self, developing self and demonstrating character. (CCHL, 2010).
As a Naval Officer I had the opportunity to experience both leadership and management. Today's Navy operates with fewer people and resources than before. Therefore, leadership and management are more important than ever. Very early in my career I was taught leadership and as I advanced through the ranks I experienced management.
The relationship between employees and companies are becoming more and more complex all over the years. This relationship is extremely important since it directly affects how the employees fells about the organization, what are their attitudes about the company and how they effectively perform in their jobs.
Note: The ‘lines/box’ below a question is for guidance purposes only. Marks are not deducted for writing more. It is perfectly acceptable for all answers to be continued on additional forms provided they are attached to the assignment when making a submission. The availability of the form electronically allows learners to expand the ‘lines/box’ as required.
In the changing business environment, leaders of all organisations may face unprecedented uncertainty, especially the technology advancement and changes among the employees. To survive and succeed, leaders should have some necessary attributes. Meanwhile, some changes for leadership skills have to be made to confront the challenges.
The foremost perception is that of Peter Gibbons who works a nine to five job as a lifeless drone for Initech, a company that he hates and he has a hostile girlfriend who is constantly cheating on him without his knowledge. Peter despises his work and the mundane day to day reality, but most of all he despises his eight bosses especially Bill Lumbergh. “Puffed up with fake jocularity, Bill epitomizes the smiley, buck-passing, back-stabbing, passive-aggressive office dictator who fears and despises his underlings while prating nauseatingly about everybody being one big happy family” (Holden). In the eyes of our main cast Bill is the devil himself, as many white collared workers across the nation could say about their own bosses as well. Bill repeatedly abuses his position and power and antagonizes his already distraught workers. This only adds further fuel to the nightmare and places increasing stress and disdain upon the workers
From your perspective, based on the video and articles for this activity, how did GE
A leader I admire, whether real-life or fictional character from the television, the movies or a book, will be identified. Leadership theories will be used to evaluate my selected leader to determine what characteristics and leadership abilities helped this leader become successful. I will also include an evaluation of my own leadership style and identify what my individual leadership characteristics are. The plan will be developed to improve my leadership style based upon the findings of my chosen leader’s leadership style compared to my own.
Both positions were marginal, neither management nor labor. In this particular setting, the foreman would make time to talk with the employees in a more personal manner. The employees would smile to his face and when backs were turned, the employee would use obscene gestures. (This is personally a big pet peeve of mine. If you don’t like me, that’s fine, just don’t be two faced about it!) The writer tells us this is likely due to the fact that the foreman is not
The presence of sexism is more subtle, but nonetheless notable. There seems to be an assumed connection between masculinity and selling ability. Shelly Levine attributes manager John Williamson's inability to run an office and poor business ability to his lack of masculinity, saying, "you don't have the balls" (p. 76). Richard Roma also attacks Williamson, calling him a "cunt," and asking, "Whoever told you you could work with men?" (p. 96). Levine also insults Williamson for his incompetence, saying that he "isn't man enough" to know what to do, after informing a client that his
This report is in three sections. The first section outlines the external constraints that impact upon employee relations within the organisation. A brief summary of this
In David Mamet’s play, “Glengarry Glen Ross”, a group of sales representatives, Shelly Levene, Richard Roma, Dave Moss, and George Aaronow, are placed into a competition that sets all of them against each other. Their bosses challenge the four men to compete against one another in a sales competition where the winner with the most sales will receive a brand new Cadillac and the two people with the least sales will lose their job. With the ultimatum of losing their job, the men struggle to out due each other in hopes that they will come out on top (Mamet 21). Through dialogue and tone, Mamet presents the characters with a sense of desperation and determination; thus, he propels the story into countless affairs of deception and cheating, and
Successful organizations have strong leaders and managers that develop, support and encourage employee longevity within a company. There is a significant difference between leadership and management however both skills have to be used collectively and both are important to a profitable organization. Leadership is a notion of communicating an organization’s vision, whereas management is more of the implementation of the organization’s vision. The manager typically carries out the responsibilities written by the organization and has a good team underneath them to carry out the duties and meet the goals. Most companies have a mission statement that mirrors and supports a company’s vision. When referring leadership and management, the two
In corporate America the term used to describe a person in a position of power is “Manager”. A leader can be a manager, but a manager is not necessarily a leader. Leaders motivate, challenge, and influence others to achieve goals. Great leaders have the necessary skills and attributes which allow them to connect with the team and organization. Being a leader is not the same as managing an organization. Leader’s posses the interpersonal skills needed to influence others to achieve a goal willingly. Leading is a major part of a manager’s job. Leaders do not need to be a manager to lead people, but managers must know how to lead as well as manage.
Is every good manager a good leader? Is every leader a good manager? Leadership and management are often used in similar perspectives, yet they do not share the same meaning. Leaders are exactly what the name says - they lead team members to success. Managers, like leaders, have the meaning referenced in the name. Managers manage over employees, striving for success. The two titles can be used simultaneously with one person, but this is a rare occurrence.