Week 5, Blog 4, Web lecture

In the web lecture, Democracy and Dialogue, mindful dialogue caught my attention. it goes beyond an individual commitment to dialogue to embrace the notion of "thinking together" in innovative and creative ways. This is key when trying to effectively communicate with others in the workplace. I know at my work and even at home its best to come up with ideas/solutions together rather than just demanding. it really makes a difference if you respectively and maturely come together and bring your ideas to the table.

Week 5, Blog 3, Chapter 11

While looking at phatic communication in chapter 11, I noticed that I probably use it a couple times a day. It's really mindless, pointless conversations with others and make it appear that you are interested in them and what they're doing. Sometimes small talk seems necessary but really doesn't get far in depth. At school and work I tend to do this the most. If I see a colleague walk down in the hallway or we have time to spare before class, I will start these conversations up with them. I know it might be beneficial to just not say anything at all or to just make the conversations more meaningful, but its a habit to say "whats new" when you see a peer or have nothing to say. I will try to definitely work on using more mindful communication in the future.

Week 5, Blog 2, Chapter 10

In chapter 10, Organizational Alignment, competitive strategy is crucial when wanting long term success in a business. They are statements/words that companies use in order to make customers believe that their products are better over their competitors. Some company slogans that stick out to me are McDonalds, “I’m lovin’ it,” and Subway, “eat fresh.” Its certain sayings that these business’ use that stick in my head and that I choose to use over other brands. These are communicating strategies.

Week 5, Blog 1, Chapter 9

In chapter 9, Communicating Leadership, the author talks about habits of character. It means when someone is a leader, they are genuine and sincere about it. Instead of being flashy and having shameless self-promotion, they are inspiring and are important to the company. I feel that people are born leaders, not made. I think the characteristics of a leader are something that comes from within. Personally, I feel that I am a leader and always have been. I have always liked to take charge and make sure everyone in my group whether it be at school, work, or personal life, is satisfied and comfortable with the decisions being discussed.

Week 4, Blog 4, Web Lecture

When thinking about the “virtual or real communication” section of the web lecture, I feel that either one works. Although you might not see the person physically, you’re still communicating with them through telephone, email, ect. If anything, I think that communication technologies actually strengthens group and team relationships. If you instant message and keep updated with that person throughout the day with different types of communication, I think it builds communication between the individuals and is efficient

Week 4, Blog 3, Web Lecture

In the web lecture Technology and Teams Dr. Coopman talks about pervasive communication environment. We live in a world that gives us access to anything anytime basically. We have the ability to contact individuals and groups through technology communication. I think this is really important especially when working with groups. You want to be able to send and receive messages to an individual through email, text, or telephones if you can’t verbally speak to the person face to face. At my work, when my boss needs to get a hold of me, she emails me first before even calling because it is faster and more efficient. I usually have tasks for the day and by listing them out in a spreadsheet, I can print out the directions. I can’t imagine working now without this kind of communication.

Week 4, Blog 2, Chapter 8

In chapter 8, page 235-236, I looked at team based organizations. I learned about the importance of team work. I think we have always been taught in school growing up that teamwork is something that we should excel in. Having a positive group with team members that are hard workers will benefit a team within the organization. I have not had a job yet where I work with a team, but I have done so many times in school. Being a communication major, there are many group projects throughout the semester. I find that it works out best when there is communication, trust, and respect between each other.

Week 4, Blog 1, Chapter 7

On page 204 in chapter 7, in Frame 1: Gender Differences at Work, the popularity of John Gray’s book Men are from Mars, Woman are from Venus tests if men and woman communicate in fundamentally different ways. When I learned about this book and what advice and thoughts the author was coming up with it made me think about how different we communicate with the opposite sex. I agree that there are misunderstandings that men and women go through when trying to communicate with each other. I think the book probably helped many couples realize this.

Web Lecture, Blog 2, Metaphors & Culture

Another term that I was interested in from the web lecture was workplace surveillance. I think this is an organization that is interesting. I understand why we have workplace surveillance but I’m not sure if I completely agree with the way we are watched all day. I understand there should be monitoring but I think there might be too much. It’s uncomfortable to know that you could be being watched and you don’t even know it.

Web Lecture, Blog 1, Metaphors & Culture

In the web lecture metaphors and culture, I looked at ideology. “Ideology refers to our assumptions about how things are and how they should be. These are basic, taken-for-granted assumptions about the world that we seldom question.” I learned about this last semester in my communication 101 classes. It’s about certain groups getting privileged over others. I think ideology is very much present in the workplace. It’s when you assume and take things for granted. This could be in your personal life as well.

Week 3, Blog 2, Chapter 6

In chapter six, on page 178, the authors talk about panopticon. I learned about this in my communication 101 class. It’s about surveillance in prison systems. Bentham’s prison was designed to show that power exists when you feel you are being monitored. Foucault looks at panopticon as a metaphor. I believe we are being watched many times a day, more than we think we are. It’s a little scary to think that we could be driving and walking doing our everyday daily things and being watched without knowing it.

Blog 1, Chapter 5

In chapter five I looked at cultural elements on page 128, and focused closely on metaphors. Being a communications major, I have been hearing this term for a while now in my classes. A metaphor to me is an expression where a word or words is/are used outside of their conventional meaning to express a similar topic. It’s a language and thought. I feel in my everyday life I see and use metaphors in my everyday life.

Week 2, Blog 2, Chapter 4

In chapter four, on page 106, a term "coopetition" stood out to me the most. the word is a blend of cooperation and competition. I thought this was interesting because I have never heard this use of the two words together. It does make sense though, you need to work together and be a little competitive in my opinion. at work, i especially like to compete with myself. i want to do a better job than i did the week before. By doing this, I look back on my week at work and really look at what worked and what didn't. I make sure to set a new goal for the week and accomplish it. The term coopetition is one that i will remember and use during the rest of my work experiences in life.

Week 2, Blog 1, Chapter 4

In chapter 4, I chose to look at organization goals and how they are defined. Everyone concentrates on goals, whether it is personal, work, or organizations, goals come into play in order to successfully manage what you’re trying to accomplish. On page 108, Michael Keeley looks at the difference between the goals of individuals and the goals individuals have to their organization which usually are shared. Although goals can differ from each person, there should be a common ground between them. I know when I’m setting out to accomplish my goals, I emphasize on what needs to be done and look for strategic ways to do so.

Week 2, Blog 2, Chapter 3

When reading over “What is Human Relations” in chapter 3 on page 82, I strongly agreed with what Mary Parker Follett’s way of thinking. Known as “the brightest star in the management firmament of her time,” she voiced her opinion on leadership, communication, social processes, and community. She believed that people should cooperate together creating excellence at work, home, and community. I really related to the way Follett thought about group work and not isolating individuals. I believe it’s crucial to get along and work together effectively. Me being a communications major, I see the importance in group and team work academically and in the workplace. The leadership role is one that affects the group and the organization.

Week 2, Blog 1

In chapter 3, part II: Theories of Organizational Communication, on page 66, the author talks about from resistance to domination. This concept interests me because it dated back to slavery. During the civil war, North America organized and managed how slavery was going to work. With Agricultural work and organized labor, America staged a level of hierarchy. To me, its bewildering to see how much power was taken in to play during these times. From the diagram on page 70, you can clearly see how many more slaves there are on the slave ship than Americans. The order in which they all appear so close together, abusing the power by trying to fit and squeeze everyone in. This type of abusing organization reminds me of the holocaust as well. The way they are all controlled and ordered around to do things against their will. I can never fully grasp the idea that one person or a few can tell a huge group of people what to do. There is clearly more of them and less of the dictators. I reminds me a little of being in school. There is one teacher and thirty students in a classroom. Sometimes students might think the teacher is being unfair with grades, homework, tests, and what not. Instead of speaking up and petitioning together as students, we usually sit back and take whatever the teacher gives or tells us. I have always felt that since there is more of us students than teachers, that we could create a different hierarchy and change the power to the students. That never happens because we are taught to listen and follow the teachers instructions which makes us powerless like the slaves during the civil war.

about me...

Hello there...I'm a communications major and public relations minor. This is my first online class so bare with me this summer session. I just transferred to SJSU last semester and hope to graduate by next spring. I will be taking 20 units next fall so I'm ready to have no life! I hope this class works out well so i may continue online classes in the future because it is much easier to work from home!