Week 4, Post #4: Communicative Dimensions of Teamwork

The brief introduction the text provides of the roles on teams is valuable. The explanation of an organization’s interpretation of team work is an essential ingredient to decoding the organization’s management style. I am better able to manage meetings with my team by utilizing roles and norms described. By naming a facilitator, recorder, prince, etc. prior to the meeting I may better be able to avoid the b**** sessions we are all so familiar with. I can cut out members that are unnecessary and select my team member according to only the essential team players. These team players will be the ones that have the sign off capacity of their departments regarding the projects I am facilitating. I can better manage my department’s teams by delegating the roles and decision making powers prior to meetings. The recognition that team members do not contribute equally needs to be recognized by all members to avoid the problems that can arise out of the misconception that all should be equal. It mirrors a hockey team. Every team member has a position that is required to work hard and has a responsibility to every other player.

Week 4, Post #3: Performing Gender in Work/Life

The text covers an important communication that blends the work life and the home life. By explaining how gender roles are performed at work, home, and everywhere in between, it implies its earlier assumptions that due to technological advances, work no longer stays at work. I would have to agree completely with the author’s findings that males that display masculine qualities and leave work at work, definitely find a much more relaxing atmosphere in the off time public interactions with coworkers. Work may come up but is not as prevalent as it is with female conversations. The compulsion to always have to prove their value to a company drives women to the brink of obsession at work and after.

Week 4, Post #2: Virtual or Real Communication

(Lecture) It doesn’t seem like there is a conclusion to the Real vs. Virtual debate presented in the lecture this week. The meaning of the messages conveyed via virtual means may arguably be toned down as opposed to those exchanged via telephone. I think a gap can be explored in the interpreted meaning of the same message transmitted via email versus face to face. As the lecture pointed out, if a teen breaks off a relationship via email, the receiver may be sad, upset, and depressed. If the same message were given face to face, the messenger may convey reluctance or even opportunity to debate in body language, tone, or choice of words giving the receiver a different perspective on the situation. The same can be said about a layoff, firing, or reprimand.

Week 4, Post #1: Living in a Pervasive Communication Environment

It was amazing to read that 80% of the world has cell phone coverage! It is important to remember that while living in a Pervasive Communication Environment that through time, it still remains that, “At the center of any small group team [are] members…” Although we utilize many types of technology, the human element is still necessary to communicate messages. Meaningful data is lost when technology takes the place of human interaction. Despite the convenience that, “…time and place no longer constrain a group’s activities…” it is imperative to keep in mind that technological exchanges could not replace face to face interaction with absolutism. Who wants to get fired over the phone, through email, or even video conferencing? It was obvious in the last election and apparent that media outlets outside traditional television and telephone campaigns are heavily involved in our election processes where candidates pour millions into internet commercials along side the conventional television commercials.