First Impressions Last, or Do They? Exploring the Upward and Lateral Impression Management of Public Elementary School Teachers in a Municipality In Pangasinan

Abstract

Western literature established that employees’ impression management is geared towards achieving tangible work benefits; Asian literature highlighted a high concern in maintaining the face or impression due to societal expectations. These propositions reveal possible cultural differences however, despite rising interest in workplace impression management, studies among Asian employees remain lacking. Thus, this study aims to contribute to the field by identifying the upward and lateral impression management behaviors of Filipino public elementary school teachers from a municipality in Pangasinan using self-presentation theory and face theory. To understand the participants’ perceptions and lived experiences, the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) design was used. Qualitative data was collected via pagtatanong-tanong from 12 participants purposively selected for this study. New self-presentation tactics not backed by previous research emerged from the data. These new set of tactics include (a) comforting colleagues and approachability under ingratiation; (b) doing their best, making decisions independently bypassing supervisor’s approval, and pursuing further education under self-promotion; and, (c) approachability, not boasting achievements, and being non-confrontational under supplication. Finally, aside from rewards and recognition, the maintenance of good workplace relationships is also one of the identified possible motivators for impression management. These findings support the claims that Asians may not only prioritize work-related benefits but also the relational and interpersonal effects of their impression management.