Influence in Interpersonal Communication Essay Example

attended. As the movie takes places and Joe Clark accepts the assignment as Eastside High school principal, he is very disturbed at what has become of the school.

One of his many strategies that he used was his power to nfluence the attitudes and behaviors of Eastside High students which left him with a no nonsense reputation and the credit of named one of the nations "10 Principals of Leadership" by the governor of New Jersey in 1986. As a former drill sergeant of the Army, Joe Clark used his skills of tough discipline in an effort make some very drastic changes to the school.

Although many of his methods were thought of as irrational and intimidating, he was willing to take steps he felt necessary make these changes occur.

He realized that the task was far greater than what he initially accepted, but used his power of social influence with a deep ompassion and commitment to make these changes occur. He took some unconventional but necessary steps to first ensure the safety of the faculty and the students but to also rid the school of the violence and drugs. His mission was to also get the students to the required academic level so that they were able to pass the state minimum's basic skill test. Joe Clark realized that he alone as principal would not be able to control such a large group due to the drastic nature of the environment.

He also realized that his measures would have to be extreme to get this chool underway within one year to achieve the goal were not always favored but he used his strong power

of influence to make a drastic change to the students. He used various communication styles to help achieve this. He also had softness for many of the students whom he felt had the potential and were throwing their life away due to choices they made to either use or sell drugs and to not attend school. Joe Clark initially did not embrace the method of persuading others because he made choices based on what he felt was best with or without approvals from others.

This is seen hen some of the teachers and many of the parents did not agree with measures and meth ods he used amongst the students and even the staff. Although he felt like he was doing what was best, he moved in a direction that seemed to suit him and eventually won over others as the school began to change and produce the results needed to accomplish the goals and missions for the school.

Joe Clark was faced with the need to assess his ability when he was criticized when the students failed the first round of basic skill tests.

Many of the parents and teachers questioned his methods even more after this happened. He made some changes on how and when the students were taught which gave them even scores and results on the second round of tests. Additionally, he was questioned regarding his methods and unconventional practices to clean up the school and to keep the school safe when he chained the doors and was eventually arrested. Although it seemed he didn't have many supporters, he realized when he was in Jail that he was making the necessary

changes that the school and the students needed.

He had many supports that rallied to have him released from Jail.

Eventually the school was uccessfully transformed and proved that his hard work and dedication was worth it. In order to resolve issues that occur with management, one must understand what conflict is. Conflict occurs when there is a disagreement between individuals. In the movie "Lean on Me" there were many scenes with conflict. Some of the conflict management strategies that were used within the movie were collaborating, compromising, accommodating, competing, and avoiding.

All of these conflict management strategies made the movie extremely entertaining and educational at the same time. Each particular strategy helped provide ways of managing conflict uccessfully. In doing so, issues were resolved and managed properly preventing further problems. Collaborating and compromising are in agreement with one another.

In order to compromise, one must be willing to collaborate in return. Collaborating consists of the will of working with one another; to cooperate. In the film Lean on me, there was plenty of collaborating. Principal Joe Clark collaborated with students who acted out.

He allowed one particular student to return to school if he would change his ways from the streets. In doing so, this allowed the student to realize his faults and be granted a second chance.

Additionally, to get respect from the teachers and students, Clark had to give respect in return. To provide safety for teachers and students, Clark had to assure that there were no weapons, drugs, and more entering school premises. Compromising was definitely used within many scenes of the film. To compromise means to settle and to reach

a mutual agreement.

Principal Joe Clark and the New Jersey state government had to come into agreement of consequences if students did not raise their test scores.

Principal Joe Clark pleaded with the NJ state government to keep the school open. He promised the NJ tate government that he will help and do what is necessary for the students to achieve promising and satisfactory scores, in return from non-closure of the school. Clarks main goal was to assure that students have the best education as possible, employment for his staff, and to maintain respect for the community.

Accommodating means to become adjusted to, reconcile; to agree. To gain respect of the parents and everyone else involved, Clark had to make some adjustments. He had to be responsible for all students and staff by providing safety.

Clark had to be demanding and devoted to his students. In doing so, students will turn over a new eaf and make good examples in the community. Competing consists of outdoing the other for acknowledgement; accomplishing goal. Clarks vision for peace and accomplishment for his students was to win and not fail.

In doing so, he has to assure safety, respect, and dedication for all parties involved. Respect is a powerful thing and it does not take much; it goes a long way. In the movie avoiding help maintain conflict management. How can one avoid? Avoiding occurs when someone tries to keep something from happening; to prevent.

In the movie, Principal Joe Clark broke the fire code for school safety; he did try to void any further danger. He has locked the door up with chains in order to keep

the drug dealers and anyone else causing threat to the students and faculties safety.

However, Joe Clark did not actually get arrested and chain the doors as the movie has stated. He avoided as much drama as possible to assure the safety of his staff as well as his students. In conclusion, being equipped to handle conflict using the different strategies for different situations can help eliminate the risk of a negative outcome.

As in the movie lean on Me, Joe Clark used these strategies to help resolve a major conflict within the chool to help unite the students and teachers to succeed in their primary goal - educate the students.