How do pre-deployment friendships affect expectations, cooperation, and perceptions of fairness in the field?
Pre-deployment friendships are important for individuals who will be working together because they can help to establish trust, communication, and mutual understanding. These friendships may also influence how people view their workplace interactions and their colleagues' behavior during deployment. People may have high expectations for their friends before they start working together, but these expectations may become difficult to maintain when they encounter challenges or disagreements. Cooperation is essential for successful deployments, but it can be more difficult if there are disagreements or misunderstandings between team members. Fairness is also an important factor that can impact how effective a deployment goes; however, it may be perceived differently by different people based on their personal experiences and biases. In this article, I will explore how pre-deployment friendships affect expectations, cooperation, and perceptions of fairness in the field.
Expectations play a significant role in how people interact during deployments. Friends who spend time together before deployment may develop certain expectations about each other's behavior, such as taking turns leading tasks or sharing information equally. These expectations can lead to frustration and conflict if one person feels like they are not being treated fairly or adequately supported by their friend.
If one friend consistently takes charge of a task without consulting others, it could cause resentment among the group.
Having realistic expectations is crucial for maintaining a productive environment. Acknowledging that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and collaborating effectively can prevent misunderstandings and promote harmony.
Cooperation is necessary for successful deployments because teamwork allows individuals to achieve goals efficiently and effectively. Pre-deployment friendships can positively influence cooperation because friends already trust each other and understand each other's strengths. They may also have established communication patterns that allow them to work well together. On the other hand, pre-deployment friendships can also negatively affect cooperation if there is competition or jealousy between team members. If someone feels threatened by another member, they may try to undermine their efforts or sabotage their success. This type of behavior can create an unhealthy working environment that hinders progress. To avoid this, team members should acknowledge their differences and find ways to support each other's strengths rather than compete with each other.
Perceptions of fairness are subjective, so what one person considers fair may not align with another person's perception. People often view fairness through their own lens, which can be influenced by personal experiences, beliefs, and cultural norms. Pre-deployment friendships can impact how people perceive fairness in the field if they believe that certain actions or behaviors are unfair based on past interactions.
If one friend always takes credit for ideas, it could make others feel undervalued and disrespected.
Recognizing that everyone has different backgrounds and perspectives can help to foster a more equitable environment. Team members can discuss their individual needs and expectations before starting a deployment to prevent misunderstandings later on.
Pre-deployment friendships can have both positive and negative effects on expectations, cooperation, and perceptions of fairness in the field. Having realistic expectations and acknowledging differences can promote harmony among teammates. Encouraging cooperation through effective communication and collaboration can lead to successful deployments.
Recognizing individual perspectives and needs can create a more equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
References:
Roberts, L., & Jones, N. (2019). The role of friendship and trust in teamwork effectiveness. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(5), 836–857. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.22529
How do pre-deployment friendships affect expectations, cooperation, and perceptions of fairness in the field?
Pre-deployment friendships can have significant impact on expectations, cooperation, and perceptions of fairness in the field because they shape interpersonal relationships between soldiers before deployment. Soldiers who have already built strong friendships may be more likely to rely on each other during deployments, which could lead to increased teamwork and cohesion.