Supervisor Impression Management: Message Content and Channel Effects on Impressions

Abstract

The current study focuses on the delivery of negative feedback and how supervisors can accomplish that delivery while maintaining their own image and their employees' face. We look at delivery of feedback with and without face-saving messages through two different channels: face-to-face (FtF) and email. Results indicate that the inclusion of face-saving messages had relatively consistent positive effects on a variety of employees' impressions of supervisors. Channel was found to interact with message content to impact perceived face threat of a message and the perception of the supervisor's appropriateness. These findings are discussed in terms of theoretical and practical applications, as are limitations and directions for future research.

Keywords:

• Dual Capacity Model
• Face-Saving
• Impression Management
• Negative Feedback
• Social Information Processing Theory

An earlier version of this manuscript was presented at the 2009 NCA conference in Chicago, IL.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Catherine Y. Kingsley Westerman

Catherine Y. Kingsley Westerman (PhD, Michigan State University) conducts research in organizational communication and health behaviors.

David Westerman

David Westerman (PhD, Michigan State University) is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.