Running head: ESPOUSED THEORIES
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Espoused Theories and Theories-in-Use
Lynn Haiar
LEAD565 – Knowledge Based Leadership
February 14, 2013
Jim Morrison
Southwestern College Professional Studies
ESPOUSED THEORIES
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Abstract
In this paper I will define and evaluate two separate theories, espoused theories and theories – inuse, in regards to effective professional communication and conflict resolution. To include my
own intrapersonal, interpersonal, and leadership communication as well as identify goals to
improve my consistency and ultimately improve efficiency and productivity within my
professional team.
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Espoused Theories and Theories-in-Use
We have all heard the term “the truth lies somewhere in the middle” when you have
different versions of what happened. Espoused theories and theories-in-use is similar to this
concept. Espoused theories reflect our ideals of what will happen. Theories-in-use are used to
achieve certain actions by defined steps and what people actually do. These two theories often
are different partly because people often lack self-awareness of their actual actions. “Selfawareness is knowing our motivations, preferences, and personality and understanding how these
factors influence your judgment, decisions, and interactions with other people” (De Janasz, SC,
Dowd, KO & Schneider, BZ, 2011, p. 5). By having this quality, one can be more accurate in
their espoused theories.
Espoused Theories
Intrapersonal communication is the internal thoughts of one’s self. Effective intrapersonal
communication can help you stay calm in stressful times, strategize, problem solve and prioritize
daily events. I cannot tell you how many times I will problem solve when doing something else.
I can be on a walk, taking a shower, or even sleeping and I will find my solution when I’m not
even consciously working on the problem. It is amazing where a mind can take you. My
espoused theory to my intrapersonal communication is that I am open to listening to my own
thoughts even in those stressful times that each of have at times in our professional forums. I
believe my own intrapersonal communication lends to my day-to-day activities while prioritizing
my daily tasks, finding new ways to be more efficient with my in duties and time management in
general. Additionally, I believe my intrapersonal communication helps me meet not only my
short-term goals, but also long-term goals.
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Interpersonal communication is a must when effectively achieving conflict resolution.
This includes the three channels of communication, nonverbal/behavioral, verbal, and paraverbal. “All communication comes through one or more of these channels” (Griffith, D. &
Goodwin, C., 2013, p. 68). My espoused theory on interpersonal communication is that I am
aware of these forms of communication and actively strive to engage in all channels to
communicate effectively to achieve conflict resolution as well as day-to-day professional
communication. Additionally, I try to prevent conflict by using interpersonal techniques such as
team building, involving employees in decision that affects them directly, and maintain a culture
of openness.
Leadership communication is important for successful leadership. One must be
articulate, inspiring, honest, and have integrity to name a few characteristics. However, conflict
may and will still arise at times. This could be due to difference in goals or objectives,
miscommunication, perception, or differences in style. When conflict does arise there are five
different strategies that can be used to handle it. My espoused theory on leadership
communication is that I attempt to communicate well by being articulate and motivating, honest
to gain trust and work to minimize ill formed perceptions. However when conflict does arise I
hope to handle the conflict is mostly a collaborative method, but all methods have a place on
occasion.
Theories-in-Use
We have already identified that theories-in-use may differ from espoused theories.
Within my own espoused theory on intrapersonal communication some is accurate, some may
not be as accurate as I would like. In my theories-in-use, I do prioritize my day-to-day activities
well, but occasionally, I lack listening to my intrapersonal communication when times are
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stressful. I tend to be very logical and methodical professionally, but if emotions increase is
where I may have issue. If emotional I will sometimes daydream about the issue, and
subsequently lack focus with the tasks at hand. Luckily, this is a rare occasion, but I need to
develop the skill that it does not interfere with getting the job done.
I identified my espoused interpersonal theory as actively using all forms of
communication well; my theories-in-use actually differs a bit. I do strive to use all forms of
communications, but sometimes find myself multitasking and not using my non-verbal and
paraverbal skills as I should to effectively communicate with the other party. In reality, this
could lead to conflict, as the perception could be that I don’t care or am unapproachable. I do
attempt to use interpersonal techniques to prevent conflict, but as I reflect back, when I do not
utilize my non-verbal and paraberbal skill appropriately, this is counterproductive and confusing
to other parties.
My leadership communication is probably the most on target with my espoused theories.
I strive to keep a high level of trust and integrity. Honesty is a priority as well as motivating and
inspiring. I also try to use a collaborative method as much as possible when handling conflict.
The problem I see here is that if I don’t utilize my interpersonal communication consistently, this
could affect the perception of others and weaken their idea of my leadership communication.
Goals
My intrapersonal communication is pretty good for the most part, except at times of high
emotional stress. I actually enjoy time constraints and excess work, but when I have emotional
stress, it can through my game completely off. Being a spouse of an active duty military man,
emotional stress comes with the position. There are times of deployment or frequent relocations
that can sometimes be overwhelming. To help during these times I plan to keep a daily journal.
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I find if I write down some of my concerns or issues I can deal with them better. I believe this
will lead to less stress build up ultimately not affecting my professional life negatively.
In my interpersonal communication I plan to continue to actively work to stop
multitasking when someone comes in my office. I need to stop what I’m doing and interact with
them in all forms of communication instead of just a couple. I think this will decrease any
negative perception that I don’t care or don’t want to help. This is far from the truth. I want all
employees to know that I am willing to listen and help in any way I can, but to get this to happen
it takes more than just me telling them, but for me to show them as well.
In my leadership communication I plan on continue to develop trust as “research has
shown that trust in the workplace promotes cooperation and effective teamwork and can lead to
enhanced organizational performance (De Janasz, SC, Dowd, KO & Schneider, BZ, 2011, p. 35).
Trust has both an individual and organization impact and should be carefully maintained and fed.
In order for trust to continue to grow between me and other members of my organization, I will
need to continue to work on my interpersonal communication as well.
Conclusion
Effective communication takes effort and frequent evaluation. If someone is not actively
evaluating their communication it is easy for espoused theories and theories-in-use to get further
apart. By working on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and leadership communication efficiency and
productivity will increase as well as morale and work dynamics. This outcome is definitely
worth the effort!
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References
DeJanasz S., Dowd K., Schneider B. . (2011) . Interpersonal Skills in Organizations 4th Ed.
Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill.
Federman, M. (2006). On espoused theory, theory-in-use, and “effective theory” Retrieved
February 15, from ttp://whatisthemessage.blogspot.com/2006/02/on-espoused-theorytheory-in-use-and.html
Griffith, D. & Goodwin, C. (2013). Conflict survival kit: Tools for resolving conflict at work.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.