It is a mixed message. Again, this can be avoided by clearly defining roles, expectations and boundaries. Also, managers can help by providing timely feedback about what actions have been taken regarding projects, ideas, and recommendations. A person s job position can carry symbolic implications, which is something managers should be aware of, Dragon said. What you say may have different weight than someone else, she said.
People react just to our positions.
Silence can be wrongly interpreted as disapproval or rejection, Dragon said. To avoid misunderstandings and paranoia, she suggested putting your thinking into words more often. Managers should avoid undermining the hierarchy. They need to respect and reinforce the hierarchy so that it doesn t contradict its own decision-making flow, she said. If someone undermines or sabotages someone else s authority for personal reasons, then the whole organization is compromised, DiSabatino added.