Module 3 Task 3
Read about three levels of contract. Match each level (1,2,3) with potential pitfalls (A,B,C) to avoid when establishing any contract. Take notes.
LEARNING POINT 2: LEVELS OF CONTRACT
According to Julie Hay (2009), a contract has three levels, which affect the level of effectiveness of any interaction that requires agreement: procedural (level 1 that is easy to observe and may be affected by one’s culture), professional (level 2 that is deeper and relates to social roles), and psychological (level 3 that relies on individual differences). Below, you will find a more extensive explanation and further activities to practice recognising these levels.
1
PROCEDURAL LEVEL considers, among others, timing, venue, payment, task responsibilities, clear instructions on who is responsible for what, and materials needed. When we fail to provide information that refers to any of these points, we risk falling into a communication pit.
2
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL clarifies goals and benefits for the involved parties and includes one’s expertise, prior knowledge and experience. At this level we make sure that we come into cooperation with specialists – experts who know what they are doing. We also realise the main reason behind our involvement. Why am I here? What do I expect to get as a result of this cooperation and my involvement? If this level is not addressed, we risk falling into yet another communication pit.
3
PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL underlies group dynamics, relationships between the partners, mutual respect and trust, and contains some elements of choice. This relates to one’s personality, which may affect the whole process of contracting. On the superficial level, this may be transcribed into the following: Do I like the person I am to enter the cooperation with? Do I respect and trust them? If not, the contract will not work as planned. There might be a hidden agenda which may sabotage the cooperation.Each level of contracting in interconnected with potential pitfalls when some aspects are not openly addressed. Read on to find out what to avoid when establishing any contract.
A
PITFALL at that level is a risk of activating power games or some other psychological games that are based on a not very positive intention. The strategy to avoid that pitfall is learning about what kind of person our potential partner in the contract is and whether we will be able to cooperate with such a personality before we decide to enter a contract with them.
B
PITFALL at that level relates to a lack of clarity as to where, when, who, what, and how. We feel confused, uninformed, or misled. We start to realize that we need to ask questions, which is the best way to overcome this communication obstruction.
C
PITFALL at that level may be prompting us to fantasize about the cooperation, the party/the individual/the group that we are to work with. In the fantasies, our unnamed expectations and visions of how this cooperation will evolve may be buried. This may lead to disappointment and confusion. The best strategy that may help us to avoid falling into that pit is to gather information about our potential partner in cooperation prior to the contract and to remind ourselves why we want to enter the cooperation in the first place.
Watch the video material. Then, take the quiz to match each level with potential pitfalls to avoid.
Take the quiz to do the matching activity.
Click Quiz.