I have never had a relationship that was exclusively formed through cyberspace. Furthermore, cyberspace relationships don't even interest me.
I don't care to have this type of friendship because I don't trust the other person. In cyberspace you can be anyone you want to be. Everyone is not going to be truthful and genuine.
I never cared for cyberspace relationships. The closest that I came to this type of relationship was during the many online classes that I have taken. AND I don't plan to venture any further.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Building Workplace Relationships
The discussion of workplace relationships was an interesting topic for me.
For certain, when entering the workforce we don't always have the luxury of choosing our co-workers. In some cases this is very good because some people are prone to choose relationships that are not good for them.
However, upon entering a workplace of unfamiliar faces and attitudes, the transition can cause a little nervousness. A little nervousness is to be expected because you are not only learning a new position but you are also learning the norms of the workplace; which can be a complexed situation.
Learning the norms of the workplace isn't the hard part. The challenging part is being able to communicate effectively. Effective communication would require an individual to be able to respond to verbal and nonverbal cues. In the workplace, a major process when meeting new people/co-workers is learning their behavior and communication styles.
Upon observing and learning the communication styles of your co-workers, you must remember that you are in a professional setting. The workplace does require you to act, perform, and interact with each other in a certain way. This professional setting will alter the "real" behavior of some of your co-workers.
If behaviors are altered in the workplace, due to the norms, it is all the more challenging to build a personal relationship; if one chooses to.
Personal relationships can be great in the workplace. Unfortunately, some can manifest into a nightmare. Therefore, before building workplace relationships, it is crucial that a solid communication foundation is built and understood between all parties involved.
For certain, when entering the workforce we don't always have the luxury of choosing our co-workers. In some cases this is very good because some people are prone to choose relationships that are not good for them.
However, upon entering a workplace of unfamiliar faces and attitudes, the transition can cause a little nervousness. A little nervousness is to be expected because you are not only learning a new position but you are also learning the norms of the workplace; which can be a complexed situation.
Learning the norms of the workplace isn't the hard part. The challenging part is being able to communicate effectively. Effective communication would require an individual to be able to respond to verbal and nonverbal cues. In the workplace, a major process when meeting new people/co-workers is learning their behavior and communication styles.
Upon observing and learning the communication styles of your co-workers, you must remember that you are in a professional setting. The workplace does require you to act, perform, and interact with each other in a certain way. This professional setting will alter the "real" behavior of some of your co-workers.
If behaviors are altered in the workplace, due to the norms, it is all the more challenging to build a personal relationship; if one chooses to.
Personal relationships can be great in the workplace. Unfortunately, some can manifest into a nightmare. Therefore, before building workplace relationships, it is crucial that a solid communication foundation is built and understood between all parties involved.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
technology. . . Technology. . .TECHNOLOGY!
Review the etiquette rules suggested in the text and respond to each one.
I feel that cellular phones are convenient, but if you are not careful they can become a nuisance. I'm bothered by cell phones when they go off during meetings and lectures. Although we may forget to turn them off sometimes, it still is distracting. Furthermore, cell phones are a problem when the person in front of you is driving and texting, still!
Answering machines were okay and sometimes they still are. I hate to have to listen to long recordings. If they don't get to the point quick enough, I may just hang up.
Faxes are great ways to communicate, especially when a document has to be signed and submitted quickly. However, I hate the junk mail that comes through the fax machine from solicitors! It wastes paper, ink, and my time.
Communication timing is crucial to any business practice. Timing can make or break a deal. This is especially true when telemarketers call me.
Screen names and ring tones says a lot about a person. Even if we feel that we shouldn't be judged by our screen names or ring tones, we are. So if you want to be known as professional then we must start being professional in all that we do.
Call waiting is a very important feature. Sometimes when I'm on the phone, with family, I'm waiting on another call. If I didn't have call waiting, my line would always be busy; which may frustrate the party calling. I know I can get a little tired of calling a number that's always busy.
However, it is important to know when it's okay to answer another call, while talking to someone on the other line. For instance, if I'm talking to someone about a sensitive matter, I'm not going to put them on hold to take another call. This will make me appear insensitive and disrespectful.
I feel that cellular phones are convenient, but if you are not careful they can become a nuisance. I'm bothered by cell phones when they go off during meetings and lectures. Although we may forget to turn them off sometimes, it still is distracting. Furthermore, cell phones are a problem when the person in front of you is driving and texting, still!
Answering machines were okay and sometimes they still are. I hate to have to listen to long recordings. If they don't get to the point quick enough, I may just hang up.
Faxes are great ways to communicate, especially when a document has to be signed and submitted quickly. However, I hate the junk mail that comes through the fax machine from solicitors! It wastes paper, ink, and my time.
Communication timing is crucial to any business practice. Timing can make or break a deal. This is especially true when telemarketers call me.
Screen names and ring tones says a lot about a person. Even if we feel that we shouldn't be judged by our screen names or ring tones, we are. So if you want to be known as professional then we must start being professional in all that we do.
Call waiting is a very important feature. Sometimes when I'm on the phone, with family, I'm waiting on another call. If I didn't have call waiting, my line would always be busy; which may frustrate the party calling. I know I can get a little tired of calling a number that's always busy.
However, it is important to know when it's okay to answer another call, while talking to someone on the other line. For instance, if I'm talking to someone about a sensitive matter, I'm not going to put them on hold to take another call. This will make me appear insensitive and disrespectful.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Organizations and the Environment
Organizations are tied to the environment because they depend on the resources and energy that the environment has. Organizations cannot survive without a healthy environment.
I live in Santa Cruz and I am a former student of Cabrillo College. Cabrillo is currently undergoing expansion, which looks to be completed soon. However, there is a great demand for this expansion because many people are wanting to go to college at the state level, because university costs are too expensive for them.
Although Cabrillo cost less than attending an university, the education you can receive is very rewarding. Cabrillo has some of the best instructors. Cabrillo College also has an obligation to the society to help produce independent hard working individuals.
In Santa Cruz, there was a problem of a lot of young men and women not wanting to attend a regular college setting. These individuals could only afford to go to college for a shorter amount of time to learn a trade. Cabrillo College heard of this out cry and started a program to help these individuals. However, the program is not only for the young but for the older population, as well.
On the other hand, before all of these expansions took place, at Cabrillo, the college was ethically obligated to address any issues that would pose a threat to the city of Santa Cruz. Some issues that could have posed a threat would be issues of public transportation, traffic build-up, and increased housing needs in the city.
I live in Santa Cruz and I am a former student of Cabrillo College. Cabrillo is currently undergoing expansion, which looks to be completed soon. However, there is a great demand for this expansion because many people are wanting to go to college at the state level, because university costs are too expensive for them.
Although Cabrillo cost less than attending an university, the education you can receive is very rewarding. Cabrillo has some of the best instructors. Cabrillo College also has an obligation to the society to help produce independent hard working individuals.
In Santa Cruz, there was a problem of a lot of young men and women not wanting to attend a regular college setting. These individuals could only afford to go to college for a shorter amount of time to learn a trade. Cabrillo College heard of this out cry and started a program to help these individuals. However, the program is not only for the young but for the older population, as well.
On the other hand, before all of these expansions took place, at Cabrillo, the college was ethically obligated to address any issues that would pose a threat to the city of Santa Cruz. Some issues that could have posed a threat would be issues of public transportation, traffic build-up, and increased housing needs in the city.
Friday, November 7, 2008
RED FLAGS!
One of the most interesting ideas that I found, in this chapter, was the case about Joan and Alex! (Trenholm 168-169) This case was basically about how people are free to be whomever they want to be, when communicating in cyberspace.
Joan had many women friends, she communicated with in cyberspace. These conversations within her circle of friends grew intimate. Joan eventually started to hook these women up with her friend Alex. Alex and these women would have dates off line.
During the course of Joans cyber conversations with her cyber friends, she would ask these women about Alex's sexual behavior.
These women eventually find out that Joan is Alex! You have to read the story for yourself.
I'm curious as to how these women found out that Alex was perpetrating.
On the other hand, these women should have paid attention to the conversation that Joan/Alex was engaging them in. For instance, if Alex's friend (which happens to be a woman) kept asking me about his sexual behavior. . . I would have thought RED FLAG! SOMETHINGS UP!
Although technology allows us to communicate in cyberspace, we should be more attentive about the conversations that are unfolding; this is especially true for those who intend on meeting their "cyber peeps" in person.
Joan had many women friends, she communicated with in cyberspace. These conversations within her circle of friends grew intimate. Joan eventually started to hook these women up with her friend Alex. Alex and these women would have dates off line.
During the course of Joans cyber conversations with her cyber friends, she would ask these women about Alex's sexual behavior.
These women eventually find out that Joan is Alex! You have to read the story for yourself.
I'm curious as to how these women found out that Alex was perpetrating.
On the other hand, these women should have paid attention to the conversation that Joan/Alex was engaging them in. For instance, if Alex's friend (which happens to be a woman) kept asking me about his sexual behavior. . . I would have thought RED FLAG! SOMETHINGS UP!
Although technology allows us to communicate in cyberspace, we should be more attentive about the conversations that are unfolding; this is especially true for those who intend on meeting their "cyber peeps" in person.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Filtering: What's Too Much?
The characteristics or behaviors that lead me to judge others as unattractive depends on the way they carry themselves verbally and nonverbally.
One thing that I find verbally unattractive is cussing. Especially, when it is done in excess. I, also, find it verbally unattractive to speak disrespectfully to others, especially your parents. I find it verbally unattractive to think it's fine to speak your mind and forget that people do have feelings, even if we may think whatever we have to say is the truth.
Something that I find nonverbally unattractive to me is when someone walks around with their nose in the air; translated: they are "too cocky for their own good." I find it nonverbally unattractive for a guy to smile at you and he hasn't brushed his teeth. . . and you can tell!
I can attest to the lack of a teeth brushing incident. One day this guy walks over to me, as his friends waited, and started talking to me. I believe he was asking me for my number or something. I couldn't really focus on the conversation because there was a major distraction in his mouth. He hadn't brushed his teeth and I could overwhelmingly tell. This was his first and last impression for me. Needless to say, there was no reconsidering about our future relationship.
To be honest, as I replay the situation, I could have missed out on a nice guy. I let a physical appearance effect my judgment.
As I think about Duck's filtering theory, it does make sense to me. However, if we are not careful we can be missing out on a lot of wonderful relationships or we can find ourselves in a "beautiful" nightmare!
To me, beauty is only skin deep. Beauty comes from within and projects itself outward. There are many people walking around who are physically attractive, but are ugly on the inside; and eventually that ugliness begins to rear its ugly head.
One thing that I find verbally unattractive is cussing. Especially, when it is done in excess. I, also, find it verbally unattractive to speak disrespectfully to others, especially your parents. I find it verbally unattractive to think it's fine to speak your mind and forget that people do have feelings, even if we may think whatever we have to say is the truth.
Something that I find nonverbally unattractive to me is when someone walks around with their nose in the air; translated: they are "too cocky for their own good." I find it nonverbally unattractive for a guy to smile at you and he hasn't brushed his teeth. . . and you can tell!
I can attest to the lack of a teeth brushing incident. One day this guy walks over to me, as his friends waited, and started talking to me. I believe he was asking me for my number or something. I couldn't really focus on the conversation because there was a major distraction in his mouth. He hadn't brushed his teeth and I could overwhelmingly tell. This was his first and last impression for me. Needless to say, there was no reconsidering about our future relationship.
To be honest, as I replay the situation, I could have missed out on a nice guy. I let a physical appearance effect my judgment.
As I think about Duck's filtering theory, it does make sense to me. However, if we are not careful we can be missing out on a lot of wonderful relationships or we can find ourselves in a "beautiful" nightmare!
To me, beauty is only skin deep. Beauty comes from within and projects itself outward. There are many people walking around who are physically attractive, but are ugly on the inside; and eventually that ugliness begins to rear its ugly head.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Nothing's Too Hard. . .
The most difficult pattern that I think would be hard to change, in a relationship, is the pattern of submissive symmetry. Submissive symmetry occurs when neither person, in the relationship, wants to make a decision.
This behavior is difficult to change because when we allow ourselves to chronically leave decision making to someone else, we are down playing our responsibility as an individual. The constant avoidance of the decision making process will soon become a psychological barrier.
It becomes a psychological barrier because we have unwittingly trained our brains to think we are not capable of making a decision. This will soon lead to self-doubt. And once we begin to doubt ourselves we will begin to travel down the dreadful road of low-self esteem.
However, low-self esteem will not only affect those in the relationship. It will damage all those who directly or indirectly deal with anyone who suffers from its "blow."
On another note, I believe that competitive symmetry can be the most damaging to a relationship. Competitive symmetry is when the individuals in a relationship are constantly seeking to "out do" the other. This atmosphere may work well on the field, but it can wrec havoc a home.
Competitive behavior in the home can lead to bickering, derogative comments, arguments, and tension, to say the least. It's absolutely awful! I believe this behavior shows lack of self-confidence from both parties in the relationship.
The Bible says, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom." (Proverb 10:19,21)
Furthermore, the Bible also says, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
Although our relationships or problems in life seem too big for us, they are never too big for our God to solve. "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)
This behavior is difficult to change because when we allow ourselves to chronically leave decision making to someone else, we are down playing our responsibility as an individual. The constant avoidance of the decision making process will soon become a psychological barrier.
It becomes a psychological barrier because we have unwittingly trained our brains to think we are not capable of making a decision. This will soon lead to self-doubt. And once we begin to doubt ourselves we will begin to travel down the dreadful road of low-self esteem.
However, low-self esteem will not only affect those in the relationship. It will damage all those who directly or indirectly deal with anyone who suffers from its "blow."
On another note, I believe that competitive symmetry can be the most damaging to a relationship. Competitive symmetry is when the individuals in a relationship are constantly seeking to "out do" the other. This atmosphere may work well on the field, but it can wrec havoc a home.
Competitive behavior in the home can lead to bickering, derogative comments, arguments, and tension, to say the least. It's absolutely awful! I believe this behavior shows lack of self-confidence from both parties in the relationship.
The Bible says, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom." (Proverb 10:19,21)
Furthermore, the Bible also says, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
Although our relationships or problems in life seem too big for us, they are never too big for our God to solve. "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)
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