Perception and Misinterpretation in an Organization

Perception and Misinterpretation in

An Organization

Namhang Limbu

King’s College

Mr. Rajiv Sharma

3/20/2017

Perception and Misinterpretation in

An Organization

        Perception: Perception could be best described as a process of receiving information about our surroundings and understanding them in our own way. It can be regarded as an ability to see, hear or feel the environment. Perception is shown in every day to day activity. It can be in form of what you eat or what you do for living. Perception in an organization is process of determining which information to notice, how to classify the information and how to understand the information within our knowledge structure. (Mosavi, Abedi & Ghaedi, 2013)

        The importance of perception in an organization can be further assessed as below:

1. Understanding of the task at hand.
2. Understanding the importance of the task.
3. Understanding your team.
4. Clear role perceptions.

A case study: HY Dairies Inc.

        The vice-president of HY Dairies – a Midwestern milk product manufactures, Syd Gilman is satisfied with the latest sales figure. The marketing campaign to improve their gourmet ice-cream brand seems to have worked well. The sales volume and market share price of the last two quarters have improved significantly in comparison to last year.

        Rochelle Beauport – an assistant brand manager hired two years ago could be credited for the success of the brand in the market. The brand started performing well after she was assigned to the product last year. Gilman had noticed her potential in the marketing management and tried to show his appreciation by promoting her to the recently vacated Market Research Coordinator job. Only a few people knew that Gilman once held that post. However, Beauport was shocked at the offer as she deemed the ‘offered job’ as not a route to the top because it was a ‘backroom’ job. She thought she had been put aside for being a woman and from a minority background.

        On the other hand, she enjoyed her previous job that was filled with challenges. She misinterpreted what Gilman had offered because her previous employer had said that ‘women could not take the heat’ in marketing management. She chose to believe HY Dairies and Gilman were trying to do the same and began to ponder on the idea as to whether confront Gilman and try to change the company’s ‘sexist’ and ‘racist’ practices or to quit the company. [Anonymous, (n.d.). FY Dairies INC.]

        Report: This case can be seen as a case of misinterpretation. Rochelle Beauport clearly misinterpreted her boss’s idea of promoting her as trying to sabotage her career in marketing management based on what her previous employer said and tried to do. Syd Gilman seems to promote her to that job so that she could sharpen her skills with some high profile work that Beauport clearly failed to interpret.

Answer to Question 1

        As defined by Dictionary.com, A stereotype is a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group. It is a generalized view in which a group of people are categorized. For example, a common form of stereotype can be a female cannot drive properly or an Asian is good at Math.

        Social Identity Theory explains the way we perceive others by categorizing and differentiating them (McShane, & Von Glinow, 2013).

        In the case above, Rochelle Beauport was discriminated for being a woman in the marketing management by her previous employer so when Gilman offered her a ‘backroom’ job she misinterpreted this information based on her insecurities. Gilman’s actions were based on his personal experience in the job and there is no evidence of stereotyping in this case. Beauport’s social identity triggered the misconception of Syd Gilman.

Answer to Question 2

        This case is highlighted by the misinterpretation made by Rochelle Beauport contrary to the promotion offered by Syd Gilman. However, it also shows the lack of communication between the employer and the employee. If Beauport had made her feelings clear about the job offer to Gilman then maybe her misconception would have been cleared right there. Also, Gilman is at fault for assuming that she would be happy with that job without clarifying why he wants her in that position.