Critical Friendship Approach in Workplace Communication
Hannuksela, Mira (2018)
Hannuksela, Mira
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018052710503
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018052710503
Tiivistelmä
People skills and the ability to learn are becoming more and more important competences in future work. To solve complex problems creatively, professionals need to work together in diverse teams. Critical friendship approach supports colleagues in sharing their perspectives, utilising feedback, engaging in dialogue and learning from each other. The aim is to improve the results of the work together.
This master’s thesis studies how critical friendship approach can be developed and applied to workplace communication and internal interaction within the case organisation, WWF Finland. The main goal of the study is to define critical friendship and to create a model for critical friendship approach in the context of the case organisation.
Literature review introduces selected theories and concepts connected to interpersonal communication and organisational aspects. These include themes such as communication competence, emotional intelligence, managing conflicts, dialogue, workplace communication, organisational culture, change and learning organisation.
Development project was conducted as action research and with abductive approach. Initial mapping was done via online survey on September 2017. Workshops were used as a method to involve and engage all employees in the development work. The model for critical friendship was completed in May 2018.
Critical friendship approach makes use of everyone’s abilities, supports personal development and enables continuous learning. In its core, there are individual communication competences and emotional intelligence. An organisation can support critical friendship approach e.g. by building enabling conditions and practices and by offering training to related skills. As a result, critical friendship can foster open dialogue and generate a learning organisation.
Many ideas related to critical friendship are highlighted in current discussion concerning transformation of work. Critical friendship approach creates possibilities to develop and strengthen both individual and organisational capabilities needed in the future.
This master’s thesis studies how critical friendship approach can be developed and applied to workplace communication and internal interaction within the case organisation, WWF Finland. The main goal of the study is to define critical friendship and to create a model for critical friendship approach in the context of the case organisation.
Literature review introduces selected theories and concepts connected to interpersonal communication and organisational aspects. These include themes such as communication competence, emotional intelligence, managing conflicts, dialogue, workplace communication, organisational culture, change and learning organisation.
Development project was conducted as action research and with abductive approach. Initial mapping was done via online survey on September 2017. Workshops were used as a method to involve and engage all employees in the development work. The model for critical friendship was completed in May 2018.
Critical friendship approach makes use of everyone’s abilities, supports personal development and enables continuous learning. In its core, there are individual communication competences and emotional intelligence. An organisation can support critical friendship approach e.g. by building enabling conditions and practices and by offering training to related skills. As a result, critical friendship can foster open dialogue and generate a learning organisation.
Many ideas related to critical friendship are highlighted in current discussion concerning transformation of work. Critical friendship approach creates possibilities to develop and strengthen both individual and organisational capabilities needed in the future.