%% #💡 #🟠 %% # protective impression management tactics Method of [[impression management]] whereby an individual attempts to avoid looking bad. ## Protective/Direct tactics 1. **Accounts** Goal: To lessen or repair the damage after a failure Examples: making excuses - admitting an action is wrong but denying responsibility, offering justifications - accepting responsibility but claiming it's not as bad as it seems or it was justified 2. **Disclaimers** Goal: To lessen the potential damage that might be caused by upcoming failure Examples: claiming credentials to make racist comments ("some of my best friends are..."), claiming an exception to the rules, asking for a suspension of judgement 3. **Self-Handicapping** Goal: To put self-imposed barriers in place when outcomes are uncertain to maximize the value of success and minimize the penalties for failure Examples: claiming to be coming back from an injury prior to a game, mentioning an illness that prevented you from doing as much research as you wanted 4. **Apologies** Goal: To obtain pardon by admitting responsibility and blame Examples: expressions of remorse, offers of restitution, requests for forgiveness ## Protective/Indirect tactics 1. **Blaring** Goal: To disassociate from a negative event or person Examples: publicizing a lack of connection with the occurrence or individual 2. **Blasting** Goal: To exaggerate the bad qualities of a person to whom we are connected but don't want to be Examples: pointing out the poor work habits of another team member, claiming that a supervisor is abusive ## Sources [[Organizational Ethics - Johnson 2019]] ## Tags [[power]] --- <small>*Created on:* 2021-11-24</small> <small>*Last modified on:* 2023-01-02</small>