Considerable research in social science disciplines explores how an individual’s perceived warmth and competence greatly influence the amount of power and influence they can exert in the workplace (Fiske’s SCM model, for example). OER advocates tend to be women, librarians, and/or student-services staff, and people in these roles are often systematically perceived as high warmth but low assertiveness. This unfair perception can limit OER advocates’ power and prevent them from achieving their goals on campus.
However, there is increasing evidence that even small actions can signal competence (without compromising warmth) in a way that shifts status and increases influence. These strategies signal to others that you know what you’re talking about and can be trusted to make initiatives successful. While the strategies are especially useful for women, OER advocates of all identities can benefit from learning these politically savvy strategies for gaining status.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Analyze how biased perceptions of warmth and competence limit the influence of OER advocates on campus.
- Develop a portfolio of small, actionable strategies to strategically signal competence and increase professional status.
- Apply politically savvy strategies to specific campus scenarios to increase status and achieve OER initiatives.
