A Descriptive Study on the Impression Management Tactics of Filipino Managers in Face-threatening Situations

Abstract

The study is a descriptive-qualitative research which aims to determine the manifestations of the elements of paternalism, personalism, and familism on impression management tactics first-level managers in Philippine Broadcasting Service- Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS) employ in face-threatening situations. The research instrument used in the study is interview schedule. The interview questions involve eight (8) face-threatening situations that are provided by Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Theory. Of the eleven (11) managers of PBS-BBS, only six (6) station managers and division chiefs were included in the research. The respondents were chosen based on their positions as managers and their availability, and they were contacted personally. The study used Goffman’s Theory of Impression Management and Jocano’s Social Framework of Filipino Society as theoretical frameworks. Furthermore, the study mainly utilized thematic analysis in analyzing data. Based on the answers obtained from the six (6) respondents, it can be said that there is five major impression management tactics managers use in face-threatening situations: not imposing authority, being cordial and understanding, being not emotions- ruled, being sensitive to subordinates’ feelings, and being firm and consistent. In all these tactics, paternalism is evident through the managers’ non-authoritarian leadership, anchoring explanations on rational grounds and principles, and them being disciplinarian but not repressive leaders. Personalism became manifested by managers’ consultation with their subordinates, valuing their subordinates’ “amor propio”, being tactful and diplomatic, and incorporating “pakikiramdam”. And familism was reflected by managers’ sensitivity to subordinates’ feelings, treating subordinates as family members, and being open to private, heart-to-heart conversations.