archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/28652 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:24:02 GMT 2026-04-07T06:24:02Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/75344 Functional Workplace Play: The Types of Play Employees Engage in at Work Fletcher, Shannon; Thornton, Kristen R. V. Workplace play has been positively associated with job satisfaction, engagement, and learning (Petelczyc et al., 2018; Savage et al., 2017) as well as reduced employee burnout and stress (DesCamp & Thomas, 1990). Despite the benefits, there is little consensus about what types of play employees engage in (Petelczyc, et al., 2018) within the actual workplace and their functions. The current study utilizes a qualitative, inductive approach to examine play by asking employees to share real-life stories about workplace play. Five types of play emerged from the data, which include Celebration that recognizes accomplishments; Construction that enhances productivity; Cheerful Disposition that fosters a positive work environment; Connection that builds relationships; and Conflict Navigation that addresses difficult situations. The five types can be grouped into three complementary functions to drive productivity, foster relationships, and manage conflict. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/75344 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/65222 Remotely Different: Two Soft Skills to Effectively Navigate Conflict in Today’s Workplace Thornton, Kristen R. V.; Fletcher, Shannon Over one-third of employees encounter workplace conflict on a daily basis (Moody, 2022), but most are not equipped with the skills to navigate these challenges effectively, ultimately costing both them and their organization valuable time and resources. While there are many dual concern models that examine conflict management styles (e.g., Blake & Mouton, 1964; Rahim, 1983; Thomas, 1992), they do not offer strategies about how to navigate conflict well or when to approach potential difficulties. The current study explores two emergent behaviors – Engage the Mess and Suppress the Noise – by asking business professionals to tell real-life stories about these behaviors at work. Engage the Mess is an effective means to constructively engage conflict through respectfully working toward an outcome. Suppress the Noise actively avoids the aspects of conflict that disrupt resolution and confuse a situation to intentionally focus on solving the problem. The results of the current study suggest that rather than pitting employees against each other to determine whether self or other’s needs are more important, conflict resolution should focus on working together. We, therefore, propose a revision to Desivilya and Eizen’s (2005) framework in two distinct ways. First, we retain the two original destructive styles (Avoidance and Dominating), we but add a third style of Defensive. Second, we replace the two constructive styles with Engage the Mess and Suppress the Noise. To improve workplace conflict, employees should practice applying these constructive behaviors to achieve more effective outcomes. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/65222 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/65223 Soft Skills On Demand: How Higher Education Can Prepare Students To Succeed In The Marketplace Fletcher, Shannon; Thornton, Kristen R. V. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, business organizations have quickly adapted so that employees can work remotely, which has in turn accelerated the value employers place on particular soft skills employees exhibit – namely Agency, Adaptability, and Curiosity. This study explores how these three soft skills show up in the workplace so that instructors within higher education can implement teaching methodologies for students to foster these skills before they enter the workforce. Additionally, we provide examples of effective teaching methodologies including role modeling, team charters, student accountability, team projects, student feedback, and instructor reinforcement. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/65223 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/46194 John Macmurray's Philosophy of the Person and the Doctrine of the Trinity Wisemore, Jack A paper presented to Northwest College, Readings and Reflections. Thu, 21 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT archives.northwestu.edu/handle/nu/46194 2002-03-21T00:00:00Z